This amendment to Part 192 clarifies and delineates the existing requirement of § 192.615 that an operator prepare and execute an emergency plan. The purpose of the amendment is to provide that operators take more prompt, effective action in responding to an emergency involving or likely to involve a gas pipeline facility. To allow lead time for any needed revision of existing emergency plans and associated training of appropriate personnel, the amended requirements for emergency plans do not become applicable until October 1, 1976. Until then, the present requirements of § 192.615 remain In effect. The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) issued Notice 75-1 (40 FR 13317, March 26; 1975), proposing this amendment. However, after Notice 15-1 was issued, OPS was abolished, and authority to administer pipeline safety matters was delegated to the Director of 'the newly established Materials Transportation Bureau (MTB) (40 PR 0821, July 23, 1975).