Overview
Title
Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit; Tejas Pipeline, LLC
Agencies
ELI5 AI
PHMSA wants to hear what people think about a company called Tejas Pipeline, which wants to skip certain safety rules for a part of their pipeline in Texas. People can tell PHMSA their thoughts by March 29, 2021, and then PHMSA will decide if it's okay for the pipeline to do what they asked.
Summary AI
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published a notice to gather public comments on a special permit request from Tejas Pipeline, LLC, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, Inc. This request seeks an exemption from certain federal pipeline safety regulations for a segment of pipeline located in Texas, allowing it to operate at its original specifications despite a change in the surrounding area. Comments can be submitted by March 29, 2021, and should include any concerns about safety or environmental impacts. PHMSA will review all submitted comments before deciding whether to approve or deny the special permit.
Abstract
PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from the Tejas Pipeline, LLC (Tejas). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Document
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is inviting the public to comment on a special permit request from Tejas Pipeline, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, Inc. This request aims to allow a segment of pipeline in Chambers County, Texas, to continue operating under its original specifications, despite changes in the area's designation from Class 1 to Class 3. This change reflects increased population density or construction nearby, which typically necessitates stricter safety measures or pipeline modifications. The notice sets March 29, 2021, as the deadline for submitting comments.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several issues with the clarity and completeness of the information provided in this notice. Firstly, the document does not explain why Tejas Pipeline, LLC is requesting a waiver from existing safety regulations, leaving readers to wonder about the necessity or legitimacy of the request. Additionally, the process outlined for submitting Confidential Business Information (CBI) is intricate and could easily confuse those unfamiliar with federal regulations.
Further, the document mentions technical terms like 'Class 1 pipe' and 'Class 3 location' but does not define them or explain their implications for pipeline safety. Thus, people without a technical or legal background might struggle to understand the significance of these terms and the potential safety issues involved. Finally, the description of maximum allowable operating pressure is not sufficiently detailed to inform the reader about its importance in the context of this permit request.
Impact on the Public
The broader public might find this document significant, particularly if they live in areas near the pipeline in question. Residents may be concerned about safety and environmental implications if the permit alters the required standards for pipeline operation. A decision to grant the permit without replacing or upgrading the pipeline might raise safety concerns about the risk of pipeline failure due to increased exposure and wear from a denser class location.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For the company, Tejas Pipeline, LLC, obtaining this special permit could avoid costly modifications or replacements under the new regulatory requirements prompted by the change in class location. Moreover, it allows them to continue operations with potentially lower operating costs.
Conversely, this may be seen negatively by stakeholders concerned with environmental safety and public health, such as environmental advocacy groups or local residents, who may worry the exemption could lead to increased risks to community safety if it reduces regulatory oversight.
Overall, while the special permit may offer operational advantages for Tejas and its parent company, its implication on public safety and environment may draw opposition unless adequately justified and communicated. It's crucial for PHMSA to thoroughly evaluate all public comments and weigh them carefully against the technical and safety considerations before reaching a decision.
Issues
• The document does not specify the reasons Tejas Pipeline, LLC is seeking relief from compliance with certain federal pipeline safety regulations, which could lead to questioning its necessity or legitimacy.
• The process for treating Confidential Business Information (CBI) is described in a complex manner, which might confuse individuals not familiar with federal regulations.
• The information regarding contacting specific individuals for further information could have been presented more clearly, potentially separating general and technical contacts for easier reference.
• The document uses technical terms such as 'Class 1 pipe' and 'Class 3 location' without providing definitions or explanations, which could be difficult to understand for someone not familiar with pipeline terminology.
• The maximum allowable operating pressure and its significance to the permit request are not fully explained, which might leave readers without a technical background unclear about safety considerations.