USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Interpretation Response #PI-72-0109 ([House of Representatives] [Honorable William D. Hathaway])

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name: House of Representatives

Individual Name: Honorable William D. Hathaway

Location State: DC Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

PI-72-0109

August 4. 1972

Honorable William D. Hathaway
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Hathaway:

This will acknowledge receipt of your letter of July 21, 1972, to the Office of Congressional Relations, enclosing a copy of a letter from Mr. Edward J. Beauchamp, concerning repairs to gas pipelines.

Mr. Beauchamp's letter inquires if there is some "criteria as expressed by the Federal Commission as to the time that a leak must be repaired in a gas pipe line or distribution system. Is there a fine for not complying with the time requirement?"

Section 192.703 of the Federal gas pipeline safety standards provides in paragraph (b) that each segment of pipeline that becomes unsafe must be replaced, repaired, or removed from service, and further provides in paragraph (c) that hazardous leaks must be repaired promptly. Which leaks are "hazardous," which leaks make a pipeline "unsafe," and whether a repair has been done "promptly," depends upon the nature of the operation and local conditions. The nature and size of the leak, its location, and the danger to the public are among the factors that must be considered by the operator. These same factors would be considered in determining whether a penalty should be imposed for failure to comply with the requirements of Section 192.703.

We trust that this information will assist you in responding to Mr. Beauchamp's inquiry in this matter. If we can be of any further service, please let us know.

Sincerely,
Original signed by:
Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety

Regulation Sections

Section Subject
192.703 General