Dangers of Abnormal Snow and Ice Build-Up on Gas Related Equipment
The accumulation of snow and ice increases the potential for damage to meters and regulators and other aboveground pipeline facilities and components. Incidents have occurred in past winters on natural gas distribution system facilities that appear to have been related to either the stress of snow and ice or malfunction of pressure control equipment due to ice blockage of pressure control equipment vents. Exposed piping at metering and pressure regulating stations, at service regulators, and at propane tanks, are at greatest risk. Damage may result from the stresses imposed by the additional loading of the snow or ice. Damage to facilities may also result from the impact of snow or ice falling from roofs, ice forming in or on regulators preventing their proper operation, or shoveling snow from roofs to protect dwellings from abnormal snow accumulation.
PHMSA issued an advisory bulletin in 2016, recommending steps to address the safety risks from accumulated snow and ice on pipeline facilities. Staff encourages each operator to download and read the advisory bulletin. If you are unable to access the advisory bulletin at the link below, please notify Staff and we will provide a copy. The advisory bulletin may be downloaded at:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/02/11/2016-02704/pipeline-safety-dangers-of-abnormal-snow-and-ice-build-up-on-gas-distribution-systems
2018 PHMSA Annual Reports for Gas Distribution and Gas Transmission
The 2018 Annual Report forms for Gas Distribution (PHMSA F7100.1-1) and Gas Transmission (PHMSA F7100.2-1) must be submitted electronically to the PHMSA Portal by March 15, 2019. Instructions for completing the reports and links to PHMSA Portal login page are located at: https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline. After the reports are submitted on the PHMSA Portal, please provide a copy to Staff. This copy may be downloaded as a PDF and emailed to Staff at: PipelineSafetyProgramManager@psc.mo.gov, or may be sent as a paper copy to Kathleen McNelis, Missouri Public Service Commission, P. O. Box 360, Suite 600, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
Transmission pipeline operators are reminded to submit National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) data concurrently with their gas transmission annual reporting submission.
Operators who have had mechanical fittings failures resulting in hazardous leaks are reminded to submit a mechanical fitting failure report for each fitting failure that occurred during 2018 not later than March 15, 2019 on Form PHMSA F7100.1-2.
2018 Missouri PSC Gas Safety Annual Report
Please submit your 2018 Missouri PSC Gas Safety Annual Report to this office no later than March 15, 2019. An electronic version of the report form (please be sure to use the form updated for 2017) is available on the MANGO website at: www.mangowp.org or by sending an e-mail request to PipelineSafetyProgramManager@psc.mo.gov. The Staff encourages you to use the electronic version and email the completed report to Evan Neuner (Evan.Neuner@psc.mo.gov) by March 15, 2019, but mailing a completed form to this office by that date is acceptable.
Operators with Replacement Programs for Service/Yard Lines and/or Mains
Please submit information regarding the status of your replacement program(s) to this office no later than March 15, 2019. Please provide details and quantities for the 2018 calendar year (or fiscal year for some main programs approved by the Commission) and the entire program to date. Include the numbers of service lines and yard lines replaced.
2018 Excavator List Update
Operators choosing to comply with the excavator education provisions of 4 CSR 240-40.030(12)(I)3.B. and C. through the Missouri One Call System (MOCS) are reminded to review, update, and submit revised excavator lists (or indicate “no additions”) to the Missouri One Call System (MOCS). It is our understanding that for 2019, the MOCS participation renewal period will be from January 2, 2019 to March 15, 2019. Additional details and instructions will be provided by MOCS. A copy of the automated email from MOCS may be used to demonstrate compliance with the annual excavator list update requirement [(12)(I)2.A.].
Contact and Mapping Updates to MOCS
The MOPSC Staff would like to remind operators of the importance of complying with the requests from MOCS to update maps and contact data as required by 4 CSR 240-40.030(12)(I). This data and information is used to develop, maintain and update the member’s site files used by the Call Center to accurately notify the member utilities when excavation is taking place.