20050816_1293.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
CO MMISSI 0 NER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
FROM:DON HOWELL
DATE:AUGUST 5, 2005
SUBJECT:UPDATING THE COMMISSION'S GAS PIPELINE SAFETY RULE 201
CASE NO. 31-1101-0501
The Commission s Safety and Accident Reporting Rules currently adopt by reference several
national safety codes. In particular, Rule 201 adopts the federal safety regulations applicable to natural gas
utilities and pipelines. This year the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
made two changes to the federal pipeline safety regulations found at 49 C.R. Parts 192 and 195. Both
changes implement portions of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. First, PHMSA promulgated
new requirements for individuals who perform certain safety-related tasks on pipelines. In particular, the
new requirements address personnel training, notice of training program changes, government review and
verification of such programs, and use of on-the-job training as a qualification method. Second, PHMSA
amended its safety regulations to require pipelines to develop and implement public awareness program to
promote pipeline safety.
The Commission Staff recommends the Commission adopt these updated gas pipeline safety
regulations by proposing to adopt the updated edition of the Code of Federal Regulations as of October 1
2005. The proposed rule change is attached for your consideration.
COMMISSION DECISION:
Does the Commission wish to amend its Safety Rule 201 by adopting the updated version of
the Code of Federal Regulations (49 C.F .R. Parts 192 and 195) to be issued October 1 , 2005? Does the
Commission wish to issue a Notice of Proposed Rule to be published in the Administrative Bulletin on
October 5, 2005?
bls/N:31-1101-0501 OecMemo dh
IDAPA 31
TITLE
CHAPTER 01
31.11.01 - SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES
FOR UTILITIES REGULATED
BY IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
201. FEDERAL REGULATIONS -- 49 C.R. PARTS 191, 192, 193, 195 AND 199
(RULE 201).
The Commission adopts by reference Parts 191 , 192, 193, 195, and 199, Title 49, the Code of
Federal Regulations (October 1 , 200
),
except that federal accident reporting requirements
contained in the rules adopted by reference in Rule 201 are replaced for state reporting purposes
by orders of the Commission or rules of the Commission. These regulations are found in the
Code of Federal Regulations available from the, U. S. Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents, Attn: New Orders, PO Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.
The incorporated CFR Parts are also available in electronic format at www.access.gpo.gov/nara
All gas and pipeline corporations subject to the Commission s jurisdiction are required to abide
by applicable provisions of these federal regulations adopted by reference. f4 6 05)(