81 FR 32825 - Pipeline Safety: Gas and Liquid Advisory Committee Member Nominations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 100 (May 24, 2016)

PHMSA is requesting nominations for individuals to serve on the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), also known as the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC), also known as the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee. The GPAC is composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of Transportation after consulting with public and private agencies concerned with the technical aspect of transporting gas or operating a gas pipeline facility. The LPAC is composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary after consulting with public and private agencies concerned with the technical aspect of transporting hazardous liquid or operating a hazardous liquid pipeline facility. With this notice, PHMSA is seeking nominations for two individuals from the general public: one on the LPAC and one on the GPAC. Additionally, PHMSA is seeking to fill four state commissioner vacancies, two on each committee and one federal government vacancy on the GPAC committee.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32825-32826]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12136]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0033]


Pipeline Safety: Gas and Liquid Advisory Committee Member 
Nominations

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Request for nominations for members: Gas and Liquid Pipeline 
Advisory Committees; vacancies.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA is requesting nominations for individuals to serve on 
the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), also known as the Technical 
Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory 
Committee (LPAC), also known as the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline 
Safety Standards Committee. The GPAC is composed of 15 members 
appointed by the Secretary of Transportation after consulting with 
public and private agencies concerned with the technical aspect of 
transporting gas or operating a gas pipeline facility. The LPAC is 
composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary after consulting with 
public and private agencies concerned with the technical aspect of 
transporting hazardous liquid or operating a hazardous liquid pipeline 
facility.
    With this notice, PHMSA is seeking nominations for two individuals 
from the general public: one on the LPAC and one on the GPAC. 
Additionally, PHMSA is seeking to fill four state commissioner 
vacancies, two on each committee and one federal government vacancy on 
the GPAC committee.

DATES: Nominations must be received by June 23, 2016.

ADDRESSES: All nomination material should be emailed to Advisory 
Committee Program Manager Cheryl Whetsel at [email protected] or 
mailed to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., PHP-30, E24-445, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Whetsel, (202) 366-4431 or 
[email protected]. Information about the GPAC and LPAC can also be 
obtained by visiting PHMSA's Web site by using the following link: 
http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/regs/technical-advisory-comm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Advisory Committee Background

    The GPAC and LPAC are statutorily mandated advisory committees that 
provide recommendations and advice on PHMSA's proposed safety 
standards, risk assessments, and safety policies for gas pipelines and 
for hazardous liquid pipelines. Both committees were established in 
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and 49 U.S.C. 
60115.
    No later than 90 days after receiving a proposed standard and 
supporting analyses, the appropriate committee prepares and submits a 
report to the Secretary of Transportation on the technical feasibility, 
reasonableness, cost-effectiveness, and practicability of the proposed 
standard. The Secretary must publish each report, including any 
recommended actions and minority views. The Secretary is not bound by 
the committee's conclusions. However, if the Secretary rejects them, he 
must publish the reasons.
    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 60115, the Secretary of Transportation has 
the authority to appoint to each committee (1) five individuals from 
departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government and 
of the states; (2) five individuals from the natural gas or hazardous 
liquid industry, selected in consultation with industry 
representatives; and (3) five individuals selected from the general 
public. Two of the individuals selected for each committee from the 
government must be state commissioners.
    At least three of the individuals selected for each committee from 
the industry must be currently in the active operation of natural gas 
or hazardous liquid pipelines or pipeline facilities. At least one 
individual selected for each committee serving from the industry must 
have education, background, or experience in risk assessment and cost-
benefit analysis.
    Two of the individuals selected for each committee from the general 
public must have education, background, or experience in environmental 
protection or public safety. At least one individual selected for each 
committee serving from the general public must have education, 
background, or experience in risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis. 
At least one individual selected for each committee from the general 
public may not have any financial interest in pipeline, petroleum, or 
natural gas industries. No individuals selected for a committee serving 
from the general public may have a significant financial interest in 
the pipeline, petroleum, or gas industry.

II. Criteria for Committee Members

    The committee members selected by the Secretary of Transportation 
must be knowledgeable in the safety regulation of transporting natural 
gas or hazardous liquids or operating a natural gas or hazardous liquid 
pipeline facility or, nominees that are technically qualified, by 
training, experience or knowledge, in at least one field of engineering 
applicable to transporting gas or hazardous liquids or operating a gas 
or hazardous liquid pipeline facility. Members must also meet the 
applicable criteria mentioned under section I of this notice. Nominees 
should represent a broad constituency whose views the candidate can 
represent. Individuals associated with organizations concerned with 
fire safety, pipeline engineering, risk analysis, emergency response, 
and other similar public safety groups as well as environmental 
protection groups may have the knowledge and experience

[[Page 32826]]

we are looking for. In addition, experience working in a consensus 
building environment would be helpful. The Secretary will consult with 
the national organization of State commissioners before selecting any 
state commissioner. Additionally, the Secretary will consult with the 
national organizations representing the owners and operators of 
pipeline facilities before selecting individuals from the industry.

III. Terms of Service

     Each member serves a three-year term, unless the member 
becomes unable to serve, resigns, ceases to be qualified to serve, or 
is removed by the Secretary.
     Members may be reappointed.
     All members serve at their own expense and receive no 
salary from the Federal Government, although travel reimbursement and 
per diem may be provided.
     The GPAC and LPAC generally meet in-person in the 
Washington, DC, Metropolitan area.
     PHMSA will ask potential public candidates to provide 
detailed information concerning such matters related to financial 
holdings, employment, and research grants and/or contracts to permit 
evaluation of possible sources of conflicts of interest.

IV. Nomination Procedures

    Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified 
individuals for membership on the advisory committee. Self-nominations 
are also accepted.
     Nominations must include a current, complete 
r[eacute]sum[eacute] including current business address and/or home 
address, telephone number, and email address, education, professional 
or business experience, present occupation, and membership on other 
advisory committees past or present) for each nominee.
     Each nominee must meet the training, education or 
experience requirements listed under section II above.
     Nominations must also specify the advisory committee for 
which the nominee is recommended (the GPAC or LPAC).
     Nominations must also acknowledge that the nominee is 
aware of the nomination unless self-nominated.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 18, 2016, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Alan K. Mayberry,
Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2016-12136 Filed 5-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-60-P