Action
Notice of public meeting and request for comments.
Summary
This notice announces a three-day public meeting. Day 1 will feature reports on the status of industry and government activities on how to improve the integrity of natural gas pipelines. On Day 2, the Integrity Management Communications Work Group will report its status and presentations from members of the public and will further explore communication needs and options. On Day 3, meeting attendees are invited to participate in in-depth discussions on the integrity of natural gas pipelines. This meeting is a continuation of the integrity project begun at a November 18, 1999, public meeting held in Herndon, VA. Since that meeting, OPS has initiated rulemakings requiring hazardous liquid pipeline operators to assess the integrity of pipeline segments that, in the event of a leak or failure, could affect high consequence areas. In anticipation of similar rulemakings applying to natural gas pipelines, OPS has been meeting with representatives of the natural gas pipeline industry, research institutions, and State pipeline safety agencies to understand how integrity management principles can best be applied to improve safety in the gas pipeline industry. OPS has also been exploring communication requirements for all pipeline operators to share information with community and State officials and the public about risks from pipelines, how pipeline risks can be managed and controlled, and how we know the pipelines are being operated safely. This three-day public meeting will present, to the widest possible audience, the results of all analyses and discussions to date, identify issues, and obtain public comment.