11019701v2.docx

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE AMENDMENTS TO RULES GOVERNING SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES, IDAPA 31.11.01.000 ET SEQ.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
CASE NO. 31-1101-9701
NOTICE OF PROPOSED
RULEMAKING
BY THIS NOTICE WE PROPOSE to amend the Commission’s Safety and Accident Reporting Rules (IDAPA 31.11.01) by adopting the updated versions of various national safety codes and federal gas pipeline safety regulations.  The Commission’s Safety and Accident Reporting Rules (hereinafter the Safety Rules) were last updated in 1993.  Idaho Code § 61-515 authorizes the Commission to promulgate safety rules or standards for public utilities.
The Commission proposes to adopt by reference the following national safety codes and regulations:
1.National Electric Safety Code (NESC). The Commission’s Safety Rule 101 adopts by reference the 1993 edition of the NESC.  The Commission proposes to adopt the 1997 edition of the NESC plus the errata dated September 3, 1996.
2.Gas Pipeline Safety.  The Commission’s Safety Rule 201 adopts various parts of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations pertaining to gas and pipeline corporations.  The Commission proposes amend its rules by adopting the federal gas pipeline safety regulations dated October 1, 1996.
3.National Fuel Gas Code (NFGC).  The Commission’s Safety Rule 202 adopts by reference the 1992 edition of the NFGC.  The Commission proposes to adopt the 1996 edition.
4.Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC).  The Commission’s Safety Rule 203 adopts by reference portions of the 1991 edition of the UMC.  The Commission proposed to adopt the 1997 edition of UMC plus the undated first errata.
In addition to adopting the updated version of the various safety codes and federal regulations, the Commission also proposes several “housekeeping” changes to reflect current mailing addresses and other formatting changes.
Two appendices are attached to this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.  Appendix A is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking suitable for transmission to the administrative rules coordinator.  Appendix B is the proposed rule in legislative format showing the proposed amendments to the rules.  As explained in Appendix A, the comment deadline for this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is August 27, 1997.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
The Idaho Public Utilities hereby gives notice of its proposal to amend its rules governing safety and accident reporting for public utilities, IDAPA 31.11.01.000 et seq. pursuant to Idaho Code § 61-515.  The proposed amendments to the Safety Rules are contained in Appendix B.
PROPOSED by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this                     day of June 1997.
                                                                                                                                      DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT
                                                                                           RALPH NELSON, COMMISSIONER

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
cm\N:11019701.dh