Sec. 202. Distribution integrity management plans
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Section 60109(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to ensure that each distribution integrity management plan developed by an operator of a distribution system includes an evaluation of— the risks resulting from the presence of cast iron pipes and mains in the distribution system; and the risks that could lead to or result from the operation of a low-pressure distribution system at a pressure that makes the operation of any connected and properly adjusted low-pressure gas burning equipment unsafe (as described in section 192.623 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)).
In the evaluations required in a plan under subparagraph (A), the regulations promulgated by the Secretary shall ensure that the distribution integrity management plan evaluates for future potential threats in a manner that considers factors other than past observed abnormal operations (within the meaning of section 192.605 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)), in ranking risks and identifying measures to mitigate those risks under that subparagraph, so that operators avoid using a risk rating of zero for low probability events unless otherwise supported by engineering analysis or operational knowledge.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, each operator of a distribution system shall make available to the Secretary or the relevant State authority with a certification in effect under section 60105, as applicable, a copy of— the distribution integrity management plan of the operator; the emergency response plan under section 192.615 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation); and the procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies under section 192.605 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
Each operator of a distribution system shall make available to the Secretary or make available for inspection to the relevant State authority with a certification in effect under section 60105, if applicable, an updated plan or manual described in clause
(i)by not later than 60 days after the date of a significant update, as determined by the Secretary. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the disclosure of any information that is exempt from disclosure under section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code. Not later than 1 year after the date of promulgation of the regulations under subparagraph (A), and not less frequently than once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary or relevant State authority with a certification in effect under section 60105 shall review the distribution integrity management plan, the emergency response plan, and the procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies of each operator and record the results of that review for use in the next review of the program of that operator. Each plan or procedural manual made available under subparagraph (C)(i) shall be reexamined— on significant change to the plan, procedural manual, or system, as applicable; and not less frequently than once every 5 years. The Secretary may conduct a review under clause
(i)or
(ii)as an element of the inspection of the operator carried out by the Secretary. If the Secretary determines that the documents reviewed under clause
(i)or
(ii)do not comply with the requirements of this chapter (including regulations to implement this chapter), have not been adequately implemented, or are inadequate for the safe operation of a pipeline facility, the Secretary may conduct proceedings under this chapter. . Section 60105(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— in the second sentence, by striking A State authority and inserting the following: A State authority with a certification in effect under this section ; by striking The Secretary and inserting the following: The Secretary ; and by adding at the end the following: Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall— revise the State audit protocols and procedures to update the annual State Program Evaluations carried out under this subsection and section 60106(d) to ensure that a State authority with a certification in effect under this section has the capability to sufficiently review and evaluate the adequacy of the plans and manuals described in section 60109(e)(7)(C)(i); update the State Inspection Calculation Tool to take into account factors including— the number of miles of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines in the State, including the number of miles of cast iron and bare steel pipelines; the number of services in the State; the age of the gas distribution system in the State; and environmental factors that could impact the integrity of the pipeline, including relevant geological issues; and promulgate regulations to require that a State authority with a certification in effect under this section has a sufficient number of qualified inspectors to ensure safe operations, as determined by the State Inspection Calculation Tool and other factors determined to be appropriate by the Secretary. .