21 October 2004 Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: October 21, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 203)] [Notices] [Page 61836-61837] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21oc04-76] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. PL04-17-000 and AD04-11-000] State of the Natural Gas Industry Conference; Staff Report on Natural Gas Storage; Notice of Public Conference and Agenda October 13, 2004. As announced in the Notice of Conference issued September 30, 2004, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will convene a public conference on October 21, 2004, at 9 a.m., at the Commission's Offices in Washington, DC to engage industry members and the public in a dialogue about policy issues facing the natural gas industry today and the Commission's regulation of the industry for the future, as stated in the previous notice. All interested persons are invited to attend. Location The conference will be held in the Commission Meeting Room (Room 2- C). Observers will be accommodated on a space available basis, but seating will also be available in an overflow room, which will have a broadcast of the discussion. All visitors must check-in at the First Street entrance. All visitors should have picture identification readily available to ensure a quick check-in. Participation The conference will consist of keynote opening remarks, three panel sessions and an open forum. Each panelist will give a short oral presentation lasting no more than ten minutes on their views of the panel topic and then the Commission Staff and the panelist will exchange views and questions, followed by comments or questions from the audience. If panelists are going to refer to any detailed charts or figures, they should bring 25 copies for Commission Staff and 100 copies for the audience. The first panel session will be for comments on findings and ideas presented in the FERC Staff Report, ``Current State of and Issues Concerning Underground Natural Gas Storage'' and also focus on how the decisions to develop natural gas pipeline or storage projects have been impacted by existing Commission policies. The second session will consider whether a program for creating more uncommitted reserve storage and pipeline capacity could be feasible and useful for the gas industry and customers. The third session will explore the changing roles of industry segments and how that affects commodity price volatility. Following the panel session presentations, the Commission will provide an open forum for interested persons to raise issues and make policy recommendations for Commission consideration not discussed by the panels. All open forum statements should be limited to five minutes. A sign-up sheet for the open forum will be available the morning of the conference. Procedures To File Written Comments Pre-Conference Background Information If the panel participants shown in the Conference Agenda below want to submit background information, position statements or power point presentations concerning their topics, they are encouraged to file such items with the Commission by October 18, 2004 using the procedures below. However, live power point presentations are not going to be [[Page 61837]] included during the panel discussions. Any such items filed in advance of the Conference will then be available on the Commission's e-Library. Post-Conference Comments After the conference, panel participants and all other interested persons may file additional comments on the issues discussed at the conference, or other matters relevant to this proceeding, by November 15, 2004. Comments should include a one-page, single spaced, position summary. Paper or Electronic Comments Comments may be filed in paper format or electronically. Those filing electronically do not need to make a paper filing. For paper filings, the original and 14 copies of such comments should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, and should refer to Docket Nos. PL04-17-000 and AD04-11-000. Documents filed electronically via the Internet can be prepared in a variety of formats, including MS Word, Portable Document Format, Real Text Format, or ASCII format, as listed on the Commission's at http://www.ferc.gov , under the e-Filing link. The e-Filing link provides instructions for how to Login and complete an electronic filing. First time users will have to establish a user name and password. The Commission will send an automatic acknowledgement to the sender's e- mail address upon receipt of comments. All comments will be placed in the Commission's public files and will be available for inspection in the Commission's Public Reference Room at 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, during regular business hours. In addition, all comments may be viewed, printed, or downloaded remotely via the Internet through FERC's home page using the eLibrary link. Off-the-Record Communications The purpose of this conference is to discuss generic issues and not contested cases pending before the Commission. If any comments raise specific issues concerning pending contested cases, those comments will be subject to the Commission's Off-the-Record Communications rules located in subpart V of part 385 of the Commission's regulations, including the public notice requirements and sanctions listed in sections 385.2201(h) and (i). Transcripts Transcripts of the conference will be available from Ace Reporting Company (202-347-3700) for a fee. The transcript also will be available on the Commission's FERRIS system two weeks after the conference. Additionally, Capitol Connection offers the opportunity for remote listening and viewing of the conference. It is available for a fee, live or over the Internet, via C-Band Satellite. Persons interested in receiving the broadcast, or who need information on making arrangements should contact David Reininger or Julia Morelli at Capitol Connection (703-993-3100) as soon as possible or visit the Capitol Connection Web site at http://www.capitolconnection.gmu.edu and click on ``FERC.'' Additional Information For additional information, please contact Richard Foley at 202 502-8955 or by e-mail at Richard.Foley@ferc.gov. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. State of the Natural Gas Industry Conference; Agenda (as of October 13, 2004) 9 a.m. Opening Remarks--Berne Mosley, Director, Division of Pipeline Certificates, Office of Energy Projects. 9:10 a.m. Keynote Remarks--Commissioner Donald L. Mason, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio; Chairman of the Gas Committee, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; Committee(s) Chairman of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. 9:25 a.m. Session I--Comments on Staff Report and Storage Development Policy. Moderator--Berne Mosley. Richard Daniel, President, EnCana Gas Storage. Matt Morrow, President, ENSTOR. Ryan O'Neal, Vice President--Development, Sempra Energy International. James F. Bowe, Jr., Dewey Ballantine LLP & Red Lake Gas Storage, L.P. Mark D. Cook, Principal, SGR Holdings, LLC. Donald J. Zinko, Vice President, Business Development Western Pipelines and EPNG Marketing, El Paso Corp. Carl Levander, Vice President, Marketing and Regulatory Strategy Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation. 11:25 a.m. Break. 11:45 a.m. Session II--Concept of a Program for Creating More Uncommitted Reserve Storage and Pipeline Capacity. Moderator--Berne Mosley. James F. Wilson, Principal, LECG, LLC. John M. Hopper, President and CEO, Falcon Gas Storage Company. Jay Dickerson, Vice President, Tennessee Gas Pipeline. Timothy J. Oaks, Manager Federal Regulatory Affairs, UGI Utilities, Inc. Craig Chancellor, Director, National Fuels Regulatory, Calpine Corp. 12:45 p.m. Session III--Changing Roles of Industry Segments and How That Affects Commodity Price Volatility. Moderator--Berne Mosley. Scott R. Smith, Sr. Vice President & Partner, Lukens Energy Group. Mr. Greg Rizzo, Group Vice President, Duke Energy Gas Transmission. Thomas L. Price, Vice President Marketing, Colorado Interstate Gas. Representative of NiSource Distribution Companies. 1:45 p.m. Open Forum--Moderator--Berne Mosley. 2:30 p.m. Closing Remarks--Berne Mosley. [FR Doc. E4-2743 Filed 10-20-04; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: October 21, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 203)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 61771-61774] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21oc04-15] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Research and Special Programs Administration 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195 [Docket No. RSPA-04-16855; Notice 1] RIN 2137-AD97 Pipeline Safety: Standards for Direct Assessment of Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document proposes regulations that would require pipeline operators to meet certain standards if they use direct assessment to evaluate the threat of corrosion on regulated onshore gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines. The standards, which are already in effect for gas transmission lines in high-consequence areas, involve processes of data collection, indirect inspection, direct examination, and evaluation. Congress has directed DOT to prescribe standards for inspection of pipelines by direct assessment. The proposed regulations should advance the use of direct assessment as a method of [[Page 61772]] managing the impact of corrosion on regulated pipelines. DATES: Persons interested in submitting written comments on the rules proposed in this document must do so by December 6, 2004. Late filed comments will be considered so far as practicable. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments to the docket by any of the following methods: Mail: Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 20590-0001. Anyone wanting confirmation of mailed comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Hand delivery or courier: Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC. The Dockets Facility is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov, click on ``Comments/ Submissions'' and follow instructions at the site. All written comments should identify the docket number and notice number stated in the heading of this notice. Docket access. For copies of this document or other material in the docket, you may contact the Dockets Facility by phone (202-366-9329) or visit the facility at the above street address. For Web access to the dockets to read and download filed material, go to http://dms.dot.gov/search. Then type in the last four digits of the docket number shown in the heading of this document, and click on ``Search.'' Anyone can search the electronic form of all comments filed in any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted for an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the April 11, 2000 issue of the Federal Register (65 FR 19477) or go to http://dms.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L. M. Furrow by phone at 202-366-4559, by fax at 202-366-4566, by mail at U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, 20590, or by e-mail at buck.furrow@rspa.dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Many operators of gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines do more to assure the integrity of their systems than RSPA's pipeline safety regulations in 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195 require. For example, Sec. Sec. 192.465 and 195.573 require operators to use electrical tests to identify places where buried pipe may not be protected adequately from external corrosion. But, in addition to electrical tests, many operators have historically used internal inspection devices or hydrostatic testing to find external corrosion. They have also used these methods to look for other pipeline defects. RSPA has long recognized the safety and environmental advantages of these additional inspection and test methods. In recent years, it became apparent that they are particularly beneficial when used as part of a comprehensive risk-based program to assure system integrity. In 2000, RSPA issued regulations requiring hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipeline operators to conduct integrity management programs using internal inspection, pressure testing, or other equally effective assessment means (Sec. 195.452). Congressional Directives Congress also saw the need for operators to do more to assure the integrity of their pipelines. In 2002, Congress directed DOT to issue regulations on managing gas pipeline integrity in high-density population areas with a program involving internal inspection, pressure testing, and direct assessment.\1\ Congress further directed DOT to issue regulations prescribing standards for inspecting pipeline facilities by direct assessment.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-355; Dec. 17, 2002), Sec. 14(a). \2\ Ibid., Sec. 23. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the pipeline transportation industry, ``direct assessment'' is a process of data gathering, inspection, examination, and evaluation used to determine if external corrosion, internal corrosion, or stress- corrosion cracking is adversely affecting the physical integrity of ferrous pipelines. The process serves not only to locate and repair corrosion defects but also to prevent future corrosion problems. Standards for Direct Assessment In response to Congress' first directive, RSPA published regulations in Subpart O of Part 192 that require operators to follow detailed programs in managing the integrity of onshore gas transmission lines in high-consequence areas (69 FR 69816; Dec. 15, 2003). The definition of ``high-consequence area'' in Sec. 192.903 describes places where transmission lines pose an increased risk because of their size and operating pressure and the nature or density of the nearby population. The newly published Subpart O regulations include standards for using direct assessment to evaluate the threats of external corrosion, internal corrosion, and stress-corrosion cracking. The standards are stated in Sec. Sec. 192.925, 192.927, and 192.929. The standard on external corrosion direct assessment (Sec. 192.925) requires operators to integrate data on physical characteristics and operating history, conduct indirect aboveground inspections, directly examine pipe surfaces, and evaluate the effectiveness of the assessment process. Under the standard for direct assessment of internal corrosion (Sec. 192.927), operators must predict locations where electrolytes may accumulate in normally dry-gas pipelines, examine those locations, and validate the assessment process. The standard for direct assessment of stress-corrosion cracking (Sec. 192.929) involves collecting data relevant to stress-corrosion cracking, assessing the risk of pipeline segments, and examining and evaluating segments at risk. Although these standards only affect gas transmission lines included in a Subpart O integrity management program, RSPA believes they are suitable for other gas pipelines that fall under Congress' second directive. Each standard incorporates by reference relevant provisions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' consensus standard, ASME B31.8S-2001, ``Managing System Integrity of Gas Pipelines,'' which applies to any onshore gas pipeline made of ferrous material. In addition, Sec. 192.925 incorporates by reference a consensus standard published by NACE International, NACE Standard RP0502-2002, ``Pipeline External Corrosion Direct Assessment Methodology.'' This NACE standard applies broadly to buried onshore ferrous pipelines. Requirements in Sec. 192.925 apart from the ASME and NACE standards merely assure the use of appropriate decision-making criteria. In addition, RSPA believes Sec. Sec. 192.925 and 192.929 would provide suitable standards for direct assessment of external corrosion and stress-corrosion cracking on hazardous liquid pipelines that fall under the second congressional directive. Although Sec. Sec. 192.925 and 192.929 cross-reference provisions of ASME B31.8S-2001, which was intended for use on gas pipelines, we think the referenced provisions are appropriate for pipelines transporting hazardous liquid. We do not believe, however, that the standard in Sec. 192.927 is suitable for direct assessment of internal corrosion in hazardous liquid pipelines. This standard applies specifically to pipelines that transport dry gas. [[Page 61773]] Therefore, it does not apply to pipelines that transport liquids. At present, there is no consensus standard available for the direct assessment of internal corrosion in hazardous liquid pipelines. Proposed Rules Given that RSPA's existing direct assessment standards are suitable for pipelines besides gas transmission lines in high-consequence areas, RSPA is making the following rulemaking proposals to meet the second congressional directive. For onshore ferrous pipelines subject to Part 192, proposed Sec. 192.490 would require that if operators use direct assessment to evaluate the threat of corrosion or to meet any requirement of Subpart I--Requirements for Corrosion Control, the direct assessment must be carried out according to the applicable standards in Sec. Sec. 192.925, 192.927, and 192.929. A similar regulation, proposed Sec. 195.588, would be established for hazardous liquid pipelines covered by Part 195, except that Sec. 192.927 would not apply. Because Congress has directed DOT to ensure the safe transportation of carbon dioxide through standards related to hazardous liquid pipelines,\3\ proposed Sec. 195.588 also applies to carbon dioxide pipelines covered by Part 195. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ 49 U.S.C. 60102(i) (2000). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulatory Analyses and Notices Executive Order 12866 and DOT Policies and Procedures. RSPA does not consider this proposed rulemaking to be a significant regulatory action under Section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735; Oct. 4, 1993). Therefore, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not received a copy of this proposed rulemaking to review. RSPA also does not consider this proposed rulemaking to be significant under DOT regulatory policies and procedures (44 FR 11034: February 26, 1979). RSPA prepared a draft Regulatory Evaluation of the proposed rulemaking and a copy is in the docket. The evaluation concludes operators would incur only a minimum amount of cost, if any, to comply with the proposed rulemaking. If you disagree with this conclusion, please provide information to the public docket described above. Regulatory Flexibility Act. Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), RSPA must consider whether rulemaking actions would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Based on the facts available about the anticipated impacts of this proposed rulemaking, I certify that this proposed rulemaking will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. If you have any information that this conclusion about the impact on small entities is not correct, please provide that information to the public docket described above. Executive Order 13175. RSPA has analyzed this proposed rulemaking according to the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments.'' Because the proposed rulemaking would not significantly or uniquely affect the communities of the Indian tribal governments nor impose substantial direct compliance costs, the funding and consultation requirements of Executive Order 13175 do not apply. Paperwork Reduction Act. Operators have just recently begun to use direct assessment to evaluate the effect of corrosion on buried pipelines. Under Parts 192 and 195, the use of direct assessment is voluntary, except as required by the transmission integrity management rules. The proposed rulemaking would not change this status. Because direct assessment is a new process and its use is largely voluntary, RSPA is unable to develop a reasonable estimate of the number of operators the proposed rulemaking may affect. Therefore, we have not estimated the paperwork burden of the proposed rulemaking. RSPA invites comments on (1) how many operators plan to use direct assessment, other than to meet the transmission integrity management rules, and (2) the average paperwork burden of complying with the proposed rulemaking (in hours and cost per hour). In estimating the burden, note that each standard requires preparation of plans and procedures, and records are required by section 7 of NACE Standard RP0502-2002. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. This proposed rulemaking does not impose unfunded mandates under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. It does not result in costs of $100 million or more to either State, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector, and is the least burdensome alternative that achieves the objective of the proposed rulemaking. National Environmental Policy Act. RSPA has analyzed the proposed rulemaking for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Because the proposed rulemaking would affect only those operators that voluntarily use direct assessment and because it largely involves processes of data collection and evaluation, we have preliminarily determined that the proposed rulemaking is unlikely to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. An environmental assessment document is available for review in the docket. A final determination on environmental impact will be made after the end of the comment period. If you disagree with our preliminary conclusion, please submit your comments to the docket as described above. Executive Order 13132. RSPA has analyzed the proposed rulemaking according to the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132 (``Federalism''). None of the proposed rules (1) has substantial direct effects on the States, the relationship between the national government and the States, or the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government; (2) impose substantial direct compliance costs on State and local governments; or (3) preempt state law. Therefore, the consultation and funding requirements of Executive Order 13132 do not apply. Executive Order 13211. This proposed rulemaking is not a ``Significant energy action'' under Executive Order 13211. It is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. Further, this proposed rulemaking has not been designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. List of Subjects 49 CFR Part 192 Natural gas, Pipeline safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 49 CFR Part 195 Ammonia, Carbon dioxide, Petroleum, Pipeline safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. In consideration of the foregoing, RSPA proposes to amend 49 CFR parts 192 and 195 as follows: 1. The authority citation for Part 192 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60102, 60104, 60108, 60109, 60110, 60113, and 60118; and 49 CFR 1.53. 2. Add Sec. 192.490 to read as follows: Sec. 192.490 Direct assessment. Each operator that uses direct assessment on an onshore ferrous pipeline to evaluate the effects of a threat in the first column or to meet any requirement of this subpart regarding that threat must carry out the direct [[Page 61774]] assessment according to the standard listed in the second column. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Threat Standard ------------------------------------------------------------------------ External corrosion........................ Sec. 192.925 Internal corrosion in pipelines that Sec. 192.927 transport dry gas. Stress-corrosion cracking................. Sec. 192.929 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. The authority citation for Part 195 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60102, 60104, 60108, 60109, 60118; and 49 CFR 1.53. 4. Add Sec. 195.588 to read a follows: Sec. 195.588 What standards apply to direct assessment? If you use direct assessment on an onshore pipeline to evaluate the effects of a threat in the first column or to meet any requirement of this subpart regarding that threat, you must carry out the direct assessment according to the standard listed in the second column. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Threat Standard ------------------------------------------------------------------------ External corrosion........................ Sec. 192.925 of this chapter. Stress-corrosion cracking................. Sec. 192.929 of this chapter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Issued in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2004. Stacey L. Gerard, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 04-23551 Filed 10-20-04; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: October 21, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 203)] [Notices] [Page 61902-61903] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21oc04-161] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Research and Special Programs Administration [Docket No. RSPA-98-4470] Pipeline Safety: Meetings of the Pipeline Safety Advisory Committees AGENCY: Office of Pipeline Safety, Research and Special Programs Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice; Meetings of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Meetings of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) will be held on December 14 and 15, 2004, at the Marriott Washington, 1221 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC. The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) will provide briefings on pending rulemakings and regulatory initiatives. The advisory committees will discuss and vote on proposed rulemakings. ADDRESSES: Members of the public may attend the meetings at the Marriott Washington, 1221 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC. The phone number for Marriott reservations is 1-800-228-9290. Reservations by attendees must be received on or before November 22. Priority is given to advisory committee members and State pipeline safety representatives for a limited block of rooms. Any additional information or changes will be posted on the OPS Web page approximately 15 days before the meeting date at http://ops.dot.gov. An opportunity will be provided for the public to make short statements on the topics under discussion. Anyone wishing to make an oral statement should notify Jean Milam, (202) 493-0967, not later than November 16, 2004, on the topic of the statement and the length of the presentation. The presiding officer at each meeting may deny any request to present an oral statement and may limit the time of any presentation. Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact Jean Milam at (202) 493-0967. Comments: You may submit written comments on the subject matter of the advisory committee meetings by mail or deliver to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You also may submit written comments to the docket electronically. To do so, log onto the following Internet Web address: http://dms.dot.gov. Click on ``Help & Information'' for instructions on how to file a document electronically. All written comments should reference docket number RSPA-98-4470. Anyone who would like confirmation of mailed comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (volume 65, number 70; pages 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Whetsel, OPS, (202) 366-4431 or Richard Huriaux, OPS, (202) 366-4565, regarding the subject matter of this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The TPSSC and THLPSSC are statutorily mandated advisory committees that advise OPS on proposed safety standards for gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. These advisory committees are constituted in accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. app. 1). The committees consist of 15 members--five each representing government, industry, and the public. The TPSSC and THLPSSC are tasked with determining reasonableness, cost-effectiveness, and practicability of proposed pipeline regulations. Federal law requires that OPS submit cost-benefit analyses and risk [[Page 61903]] assessment information on each proposed safety standard to the advisory committees. The TPSSC and/or THLPSSC evaluate the merits of the data and the methods used in these analyses and, when appropriate, provide recommendations on the adequacy of the cost-benefit analyses. In addition to the advisory committee meetings, OPS will soon publish a separate notice to announce four public meetings to be held during the week of December 13-17, 2004. These public meetings will include sessions on gas distribution system integrity management, the pipeline operator drug and alcohol program, updates to the operator personnel qualification program, and pipeline safety communications. These public meetings are being scheduled during the same week as the advisory committee meetings to afford members of the advisory committees, state pipeline safety representatives, and the general public the maximum opportunity to attend both the advisory committee meetings and the issue-specific public meetings. Preliminary Meeting Schedule On Tuesday, December 14, 2004, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. e.s.t., a meeting of the THLPSSC will be held. The agenda includes briefings on the following: 1. American Petroleum Institute (API) Petition--Changes to Liquid Integrity Management Program (IMP). 2. Response Plans for Onshore Oil Pipelines. 3. Direct Assessment for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines (scheduled for VOTE). On Wednesday, December 15, 2004, from 8:30 p.m. to 12 p.m. e.s.t., the THLPSSC and the TPSSC will meet in joint session. OPS will provide the committees with briefings on the following: 1. Common Ground Alliance. 2. Community and Technical Assistance State Damage Prevention Assessment Briefing. 3. Pipeline Industry Implementation of Public Awareness Programs (scheduled for VOTE). 4. Annual Update of Standards Incorporated by Reference (scheduled for VOTE). 5. Transportation Research Board Report. 6. Passage of Internal Inspection Devices. On Wednesday, December 15, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. e.s.t., a meeting of the TPSSC will be held. The following topics will be discussed: 1. Gas Gathering Line Definition. 2. Direct Assessment for Gas Pipelines. 3. Protocols for Gas Integrity Management Program. 4. Technical Studies by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Department of Energy. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60102, 60115. Issued in Washington, DC on October 18, 2004. Richard D. Huriaux, Director, Technical Standards, Office of Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 04-23588 Filed 10-20-04; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P -----------------------------------------------------------------------