Interpretation Response #PI-75-009 ([Opelousas City Planning Commission] [John R. Thistlethwaite])

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

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date: 03/07/1975

Company Name: Opelousas City Planning Commission

Individual Name: John R. Thistlethwaite

Location State: LA Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

March 7, 1975

Mr. John R. Thistlethwaite, Chairman
Opelousas City Planning Commission
705 South Court Street
Opelousas, LA 70570

Dear Mr. Thistlethwaite:

Thank you for your recent letter asking how we might assist the Opelousas City Planning
Commission respecting its review of a proposed subdivision overlying a 24-inch, 850 psi Florida
Gas Pipeline and a 4-inch, 250 psi Exxon gas pipeline.

Under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (49 USC 1671 et seq.), this office administers
Federal safety standards and reporting requirements applicable to gas pipeline facilities and the
transportation of gas in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce. These regulations are
contained in Parts 191 and 192 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, a copy of which is
enclosed.

This office monitors gas pipeline facilities on a periodic basis to determine whether the facilities
are in compliance with the safety standards. In Louisiana, the Department of Conservation is
authorized under Section 5(b) of the Act to monitor facilities which are not under the jurisdiction
of the Federal Power Commission. We are not staffed, however, to routinely examine pipelines
upon request in situations such as yours, unless a particular hazard to the public or violation of the
safety standards is believed to exist.

In this regard, the Federal safety standards do not prohibit the transportation of gas in high
pressure pipelines in subdivisions or under houses. In fact, the Act provides that we may not
prescribe the location or routing of a pipeline. Alternatively, the safety standards are written to
vary in stringency depending on the proximity of a pipeline to populated areas. You should also
note that in the case of significant population changes surrounding certain gas pipelines, sections
192.609 and 192.611 require pipeline operators to take specific remedial actions if necessary
under the circumstances.

We believe that the proposed use of the pipeline operator's right-of-way for residential
development is a matter for agreement between the operator, the landowner, and the developer,
subject to any State or local controls.

We trust this adequately responds to your inquiry.

Sincerely,

Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
Enclosure

Regulation Sections