Sec. 10. Pipeline operating status
561 words·~3 min read·
/bill/116/hr/5175/ih/section-10·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: In this section, the term idled , with respect to a pipeline, means that the pipeline— has ceased normal operations; will not resume service for a period of not less than 180 days; has been isolated from all sources of hazardous liquid, natural gas, or other gas; has been purged of combustibles and hazardous materials; if a blanket of inert, nonflammable gas is placed in the line, such gas must be at low pressure and odorized; and has received approval from the Secretary to be removed as an active pipeline.
Before an operator may place a natural or other gas pipeline facility or hazardous liquid pipeline facility into idled status, the operator must request an approval, in writing, from the Secretary. The Secretary may allow idled natural or other gas pipeline facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to remain in idled status for a period longer than described in paragraph (a), provided that such request be made in writing and not exceed a period of 5 years for each requested extension.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations prescribing the applicability of the pipeline safety requirements to idled natural or other gas pipeline facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. The regulations promulgated under paragraph
(1)shall contain the following requirements: The applicability of the regulations under paragraph
(1)shall be based on the risk that idled natural or other gas pipeline facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities pose to the public, property, and the environment, and shall include requirements to resume operation. The Secretary shall establish procedures, including a requirement for notification to the public, for requesting an approval, described in subsection (b), and an extension, described in subsection (c), before an operator changes the operating status of a natural or other gas pipeline facility or hazardous liquid pipeline facility. The Secretary or an appropriate State agency shall inspect each idled natural or other gas pipeline facility or hazardous liquid pipeline facility and verify that the pipeline has been purged of combustibles and hazardous materials. The Secretary shall determine the requirements for periodic reinspection of idled natural or other gas pipeline facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. The Secretary shall require operators to report to the Secretary information on idled natural or other gas pipeline facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities in their system, including the location of a pipeline, whether the pipeline has been purged of combustibles and hazardous materials, whether a blanket of inert gas remains in the line, the date on which the operator idled the pipeline, and a written description for why the operator chose to place each pipeline into idle status. The Secretary shall make available to the public the inventory required under subsection (d)(E), and publish annually on a website accessible to the public a list indicating pipeline operating status changes. The list shall include— the name of the operator; the operating status change of the pipeline; and the approximate location, including beginning and end point for the pipeline that is subject to the change in operating status. . The table of sections for chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 60142. Idled pipelines. .