Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Summary
We are proposing to extend pipeline safety regulations to rural onshore hazardous liquid gathering lines and low-stress lines within a defined buffer of previously defined "unusually sensitive areas." These are non-populated areas requiring extra protection because of the presence of sole source drinking water resources, endangered species, or other ecological resources. This proposal will define "regulated rural onshore gathering lines" and "regulated rural onshore low-stress lines" and require operators of the lines to comply with certain safety requirements. These proposed safety requirements will address the most common threats to the integrity of these rural lines: corrosion and third-party damage. This proposal is intended to provide additional integrity protection for unusually sensitive areas that could be affected by these lines and improve public confidence in the safety of hazardous liquid rural onshore gathering and low-stress lines.