83 FR 35313 - Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit; Empire Pipeline-a National Fuel Gas Company
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 143 (July 25, 2018)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 143 (July 25, 2018)
| Page Range | 35313-35314 | |
| FR Document | 2018-15895 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 35313-35314] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-15895] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket No. PHMSA-2017-0158] Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit; Empire Pipeline--a National Fuel Gas Company AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); DOT. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: PHMSA is publishing this notice to seek public comments on a request for a special permit from a natural gas pipeline operator that seeks relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations to operate at an alternative maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of up to 80 percent of the pipe's specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) on an existing 24-inch diameter pipeline. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request. DATES: Submit any comments regarding this special permit request by August 24, 2018. ADDRESSES: Comments should reference the docket number for the specific special permit request and may be submitted in the following ways: [[Page 35314]]E-Gov website: http://www.Regulations.gov. This site allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any agency. Fax: 1-202-493-2251. Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: You should identify the docket number for the special permit request you are commenting on at the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail, please submit two copies. To receive confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit comments at http://www.Regulations.gov. Note: There is a privacy statement published on http://www.Reglations.gov. Comments, including any personal information provided, are posted without changes or edits to http://www.Regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General: Ms. Kay McIver by telephone at 202-366-0113, or email at [email protected]. Technical: Mr. Steve Nanney by telephone at 713-628-7479, or by email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Empire Pipeline, owned by National Fuel Gas Company, has requested a special permit for 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 192.112(c)(1) and (2), 192.112(f)(3), 192.328(a), and 192.328(e) for the Empire Connector Pipeline (ECP) to be able to operate at alternative MAOP of up to 80 percent SMYS of the pipe. To operate a natural gas pipeline at alternative MAOP, an operator must design, construct, and operate the pipeline in accordance with the Federal pipeline safety regulations of 49 CFR 192.112, 192.328, and 192.620. Empire Pipeline is the operator of ECP. ECP is an interstate natural gas pipeline with 76.6 miles of 24-inch diameter pipe. The ECP runs north to south, from Victor to Coring, New York, through the counties of Ontario, Yates, Schuyler, Chemung and Steuben. The special permit requested segments of ECP total 69.8 miles and are in Class 1 and 2 locations and includes some high consequence areas. The ECP special permit segments are mostly in rural areas though agricultural fields, open pastures, wooden areas, and mostly flat to rolling terrain. The ECP construction began in 2007 and the line was placed in service on December 10, 2008. The ECP presently has a MAOP of 1,290 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) and has operated at, or below the MAOP for the life of the pipeline. ECP proposed to utilize alternative MAOP to allow increasing the pipeline MAOP from 1,290 psig up to 1,440 psig. The ECP has 6.5 miles of Class 3 locations that are designed for the alternative MAOP. The Class 3 locations will be required to meet the special permit conditions. The Class 3 locations are proposed to be included in the special permit for a total mileage of 76.6 miles. A draft environmental assessment (DEA) and proposed special permit conditions for ECP's operations at alternative MAOP are provided in the docket at http://www.Regulations.gov. In the DEA, Empire proposes alternative measures and activities that will be taken to mitigate safety and environmental risks in the continued operation of the ECP at the alternative MAOP. The proposed special permit conditions are a draft of operational measures that would be implemented by Empire throughout the life of the ECP special permit to maintain safety at the alternative MAOP. We invite interested persons to participate by reviewing the special permit request, DEA, and proposed special permit conditions at http://www.Regulations.gov, and by submitting written comments, data, or other views. Please include any comments on potential safety and environmental impacts that may result if the special permit is granted. Before issuing a decision on the special permit request, PHMSA will evaluate all comments received on or before the comment closing date. Comments received after the closing date will be evaluated if it is possible to do so without incurring additional expense or delay. PHMSA will consider each relevant comment we receive in making our decision to grant or deny the request. Issued in Washington, DC, on July 20, 2018, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.97. Alan K. Mayberry, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 2018-15895 Filed 7-24-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2018 / Notices 35313
have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.- description of the proposed service, is rulemaking process. DOT/MARAD posts
vessel builder or a business that uses listed below. these comments, without edit, to
U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a DATES: Submit comments on or before www.regulations.gov, as described in
waiver will not be granted. Comments August 24, 2018. the system of records notice, DOT/ALL–
should refer to the docket number of ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to 14 FDMS, accessible through
this notice and the vessel name in order docket number MARAD–2018–0120. www.dot.gov/privacy. In order to
for MARAD to properly consider the Written comments may be submitted by facilitate comment tracking and
comments. Comments should also state hand or by mail to the Docket Clerk, response, we encourage commenters to
the commenter’s interest in the waiver U.S. Department of Transportation, provide their name, or the name of their
application, and address the waiver Docket Operations, M–30, West organization; however, submission of
criteria given in section 388.4 of Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, names is completely optional. Whether
MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR part 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, or not commenters identify themselves,
388. Washington, DC 20590. You may also all timely comments will be fully
send comments electronically via the considered. If you wish to provide
Privacy Act
internet at http://www.regulations.gov. comments containing proprietary or
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), All comments will become part of this confidential information, please contact
DOT/MARAD solicits comments from docket and will be available for the agency for alternate submission
the public to better inform its inspection and copying at the above instructions.
rulemaking process. DOT/MARAD posts address between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 (Authority: 49 CFR 1.93(a), 46 U.S.C. 55103,
these comments, without edit, to p.m., Monday through Friday, except 46 U.S.C. 12121)
www.regulations.gov, as described in federal holidays. An electronic version * * * * *
the system of records notice, DOT/ALL– of this document and all documents
14 FDMS, accessible through Dated: July 20, 2018.
entered into this docket is available at
www.dot.gov/privacy. In order to By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
http://www.regulations.gov.
facilitate comment tracking and T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
response, we encourage commenters to Secretary, Maritime Administration.
Bianca Carr, U.S. Department of
provide their name, or the name of their Transportation, Maritime [FR Doc. 2018–15868 Filed 7–24–18; 8:45 am]
organization; however, submission of Administration, 1200 New Jersey BILLING CODE 4910–81–P
names is completely optional. Whether Avenue SE, Room W23–453,
or not commenters identify themselves, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202–
all timely comments will be fully DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
366–9309, Email Bianca.carr@dot.gov.
considered. If you wish to provide SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As
comments containing proprietary or Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
described by the applicant the intended Safety Administration
confidential information, please contact service of the vessel VINTAGE is:
the agency for alternate submission [Docket No. PHMSA–2017–0158]
—INTENDED COMMERCIAL USE OF
instructions.
VESSEL: To charter the vessel on Pipeline Safety: Request for Special
(Authority: 49 CFR 1.93(a), 46 U.S.C. 55103, Lake Michigan and Chicago River
46 U.S.C. 12121) Permit; Empire Pipeline—a National
(inner city of Chicago). Fuel Gas Company
* * * * * —GEOGRAPHIC REGION: ‘‘Illinois,
Dated: July 20, 2018. Michigan, and Wisconsin’’ AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous
By Order of the Maritime Administrator. The complete application is given in Materials Safety Administration
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr., DOT docket MARAD–2018–0120 at (PHMSA); DOT.
Secretary, Maritime Administration. http://www.regulations.gov. Interested ACTION: Notice.
[FR Doc. 2018–15866 Filed 7–24–18; 8:45 am]
parties may comment on the effect this
action may have on U.S. vessel builders SUMMARY: PHMSA is publishing this
BILLING CODE 4910–81–P
or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.- notice to seek public comments on a
flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in request for a special permit from a
accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and natural gas pipeline operator that seeks
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION relief from compliance with certain
MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR part
388, that the issuance of the waiver will requirements in the Federal pipeline
Maritime Administration
have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.- safety regulations to operate at an
[Docket No. MARAD–2018–0120]
vessel builder or a business that uses alternative maximum allowable
U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a operating pressure (MAOP) of up to 80
Requested Administrative Waiver of percent of the pipe’s specified minimum
the Coastwise Trade Laws: Vessel waiver will not be granted. Comments
should refer to the docket number of yield strength (SMYS) on an existing 24-
VINTAGE; Invitation for Public inch diameter pipeline. At the
Comments this notice and the vessel name in order
for MARAD to properly consider the conclusion of the 30-day comment
AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT. comments. Comments should also state period, PHMSA will review the
the commenter’s interest in the waiver comments received from this notice as
ACTION: Notice.
application, and address the waiver part of its evaluation to grant or deny
SUMMARY: The Secretary of criteria given in section 388.4 of the special permit request.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Transportation, as represented by the MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR part DATES: Submit any comments regarding
Maritime Administration (MARAD), is 388. this special permit request by August
authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- 24, 2018.
build requirement of the coastwise laws Privacy Act ADDRESSES: Comments should reference
under certain circumstances. A request In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), the docket number for the specific
for such a waiver has been received by DOT/MARAD solicits comments from special permit request and may be
MARAD. The vessel, and a brief the public to better inform its submitted in the following ways:
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:50 Jul 24, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00112 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JYN1.SGM 25JYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_35456/page/1.svg)
![35314 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2018 / Notices
• E-Gov website: http:// ECP total 69.8 miles and are in Class 1 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
www.Regulations.gov. This site allows and 2 locations and includes some high
the public to enter comments on any consequence areas. The ECP special Multiemployer Pension Plan
Federal Register notice issued by any permit segments are mostly in rural Application To Reduce Benefits
agency. areas though agricultural fields, open
AGENCY: Department of the Treasury.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251. pastures, wooden areas, and mostly flat
• Mail: Docket Management System: to rolling terrain. The ECP construction ACTION:Notice of availability; request
U.S. Department of Transportation, began in 2007 and the line was placed for comments.
Docket Operations, M–30, West in service on December 10, 2008. The SUMMARY: The Board of Trustees of the
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, ECP presently has a MAOP of 1,290 Toledo Roofers Local No. 134 Pension
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, pounds per square inch gauge (psig) and Plan, a multiemployer pension plan, has
Washington, DC 20590. has operated at, or below the MAOP for submitted an application to reduce
• Hand Delivery: Docket Management the life of the pipeline. ECP proposed to benefits under the plan in accordance
System: U.S. Department of utilize alternative MAOP to allow with the Multiemployer Pension Reform
Transportation, Docket Operations, increasing the pipeline MAOP from Act of 2014 (MPRA). The purpose of
M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 1,290 psig up to 1,440 psig. The ECP has this notice is to announce that the
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 6.5 miles of Class 3 locations that are application submitted by the Board of
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, designed for the alternative MAOP. The Trustees of the Toledo Roofers Local No.
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Class 3 locations will be required to 134 Pension Plan has been published on
Monday through Friday, except Federal meet the special permit conditions. The the website of the Department of the
holidays. Class 3 locations are proposed to be Treasury (Treasury), and to request
Instructions: You should identify the included in the special permit for a total public comments on the application
docket number for the special permit mileage of 76.6 miles. from interested parties, including
request you are commenting on at the A draft environmental assessment participants and beneficiaries, employee
beginning of your comments. If you (DEA) and proposed special permit organizations, and contributing
submit your comments by mail, please conditions for ECP’s operations at employers of the Toledo Roofers Local
submit two copies. To receive alternative MAOP are provided in the No. 134 Pension Plan.
confirmation that PHMSA has received docket at http://www.Regulations.gov.
your comments, please include a self- DATES: Comments must be received by
In the DEA, Empire proposes alternative September 10, 2018.
addressed stamped postcard. Internet measures and activities that will be
users may submit comments at http:// ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
taken to mitigate safety and electronically through the Federal
www.Regulations.gov. environmental risks in the continued
Note: There is a privacy statement
eRulemaking Portal at http://
operation of the ECP at the alternative www.regulations.gov, in accordance
published on http://www.Reglations.gov. MAOP. The proposed special permit
Comments, including any personal with the instructions on that site.
conditions are a draft of operational Electronic submissions through
information provided, are posted without
measures that would be implemented by www.regulations.gov are encouraged.
changes or edits to http://
www.Regulations.gov. Empire throughout the life of the ECP Comments may also be mailed to the
special permit to maintain safety at the Department of the Treasury, MPRA
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: alternative MAOP. Office, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
General: Ms. Kay McIver by telephone We invite interested persons to Room 1224, Washington, DC 20220,
at 202–366–0113, or email at participate by reviewing the special Attn: Danielle Norris. Comments sent
kay.mciver@dot.gov. permit request, DEA, and proposed
Technical: Mr. Steve Nanney by via facsimile or email will not be
special permit conditions at http:// accepted.
telephone at 713–628–7479, or by email www.Regulations.gov, and by
at Steve.Nanney@dot.gov. Additional Instructions. All
submitting written comments, data, or comments received, including
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Empire other views. Please include any attachments and other supporting
Pipeline, owned by National Fuel Gas comments on potential safety and materials, will be made available to the
Company, has requested a special environmental impacts that may result public. Do not include any personally
permit for 49 Code of Federal if the special permit is granted. identifiable information (such as your
Regulations (CFR) 192.112(c)(1) and (2), Social Security number, name, address,
Before issuing a decision on the
192.112(f)(3), 192.328(a), and 192.328(e) or other contact information) or any
special permit request, PHMSA will
for the Empire Connector Pipeline (ECP) other information in your comment or
evaluate all comments received on or
to be able to operate at alternative supporting materials that you do not
before the comment closing date.
MAOP of up to 80 percent SMYS of the want publicly disclosed. Treasury will
Comments received after the closing
pipe. To operate a natural gas pipeline make comments available for public
date will be evaluated if it is possible to
at alternative MAOP, an operator must inspection and copying on
do so without incurring additional
design, construct, and operate the www.regulations.gov or upon request.
expense or delay. PHMSA will consider
pipeline in accordance with the Federal Comments posted on the internet can be
each relevant comment we receive in
pipeline safety regulations of 49 CFR retrieved by most internet search
making our decision to grant or deny the
192.112, 192.328, and 192.620. engines.
request.
Empire Pipeline is the operator of
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
ECP. ECP is an interstate natural gas Issued in Washington, DC, on July 20, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
pipeline with 76.6 miles of 24-inch 2018, under authority delegated in 49 CFR information regarding the application
diameter pipe. The ECP runs north to 1.97. from the Toledo Roofers Local No. 134
south, from Victor to Coring, New York, Alan K. Mayberry, Pension Plan, please contact Treasury at
through the counties of Ontario, Yates, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. (202) 622–1534 (not a toll-free number).
Schuyler, Chemung and Steuben. The [FR Doc. 2018–15895 Filed 7–24–18; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MPRA
special permit requested segments of BILLING CODE 4910–60–P amended the Internal Revenue Code to
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:50 Jul 24, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JYN1.SGM 25JYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_35456/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-07-25 00:44:22
Document Modified: 2018-07-25 00:44:22
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Submit any comments regarding this special permit request by August 24, 2018. | |
| Contact | General: Ms. Kay McIver by telephone at 202-366-0113, or email at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 35313 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR