§60110 — Title 49 Transportation | U.S. Code

Summary

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to create rules about when and how excess flow valves must be used on natural gas distribution systems. The rules apply only to systems put in after the rules take effect and to any older system that is being repaired in a way that needs parts changed to allow installing these valves. By April 24, 1994, the Secretary must set standards saying when operators must install the valves and must consider things like system pressure, types of customers (for example hospitals, schools, businesses), technical feasibility and cost, safety benefits, meter locations, and other relevant factors. By October 24, 1994, the Secretary must also require operators to tell customers in writing when valves are available, what safety benefits they bring, and what the installation, maintenance, and replacement costs are. If installation is not required by the rules, an operator must install a valve if the customer asks and pays all costs. If the Secretary decides no situations require valves, the Secretary must report the reasons to Congress within 30 days. The Secretary must also set performance standards for the valves by April 24, 1994, may use industry standards, and all valves must be installed to meet those standards.

Title 49, §60110

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)This section applies only to—

(1)a natural gas distribution system installed after the effective date of regulations prescribed under this section; and

(2)any other natural gas distribution system when repair to the system requires replacing a part to accommodate installing excess flow valves.

(b)Not later than April 24, 1994, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe standards on the circumstances, if any, under which an operator of a natural gas distribution system must install excess flow valves in the system. The Secretary shall consider—

(1)the system design pressure;

(2)the system operating pressure;

(3)the types of customers to which the distribution system supplies gas, including hospitals, schools, and commercial enterprises;

(4)the technical feasibility and cost of installing, operating, and maintaining the valve;

(5)the public safety benefits of installing the valve;

(6)the location of customer meters; and

(7)other factors the Secretary considers relevant.

(c)(1)Not later than October 24, 1994, the Secretary shall prescribe standards requiring an operator of a natural gas distribution system to notify in writing its customers having lines in which excess flow valves are not required by law but can be installed according to the standards prescribed under subsection (e) of this section, of—

(A)the availability of excess flow valves for installation in the system;

(B)safety benefits to be derived from installation; and

(C)costs associated with installation, maintenance, and replacement.

(2)The standards shall provide that, except when installation is required under subsection (b) of this section, excess flow valves shall be installed at the request of the customer if the customer will pay all costs associated with installation.

(d)If the Secretary decides under subsection (b) of this section that there are no circumstances under which an operator must install excess flow valves, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the reasons for the decision not later than 30 days after the decision is made.

(e)Not later than April 24, 1994, the Secretary shall develop standards for the performance of excess flow valves used to protect lines in a natural gas distribution system. The Secretary may adopt industry accepted performance standards in order to comply with the requirement under the preceding sentence. The standards shall be incorporated into regulations the Secretary prescribes under this section. All excess flow valves shall be installed according to the standards.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 60110(a)49 App.:1672(j)(5).Aug. 12, 1968, Pub. L. 90–481, 82 Stat. 720, § 3(j); added Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 104, 106 Stat. 3291. 60110(b)49 App.:1672(j)(1). 60110(c)49 App.:1672(j)(2). 60110(d)49 App.:1672(j)(3). 60110(e)49 App.:1672(j)(4). In subsection (a)(2), the words “in a manner” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words “on when” are substituted for “prescribing the circumstances, if any, under which” to eliminate unnecessary words.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–355 substituted “circumstances, if any, under which an operator” for “circumstances under which an operator” in introductory provisions. 1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–304, § 20(j), substituted “standards” for “

Regulations

” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–304, § 8(1), which directed the insertion of “, if any,” after “circumstances” in the first sentence of subsection (b)(1), could not be executed because the word “circumstances” did not appear in subsec. (b)(1). Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 104–304, § 8(2), inserted “, operating, and maintaining” after “cost of installing”. Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 104–304, § 20(j), substituted “standards” for “

Regulations

” after “prescribe” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 104–304, § 8(3), inserted “, maintenance, and replacement” after “installation”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 104–304, § 20(j), substituted “standards” for “

Regulations

”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–304, § 8(4), inserted after first sentence “The Secretary may adopt industry accepted performance standards in order to comply with the requirement under the preceding sentence.”

§60110 Excess Flow Valves

Summary

Title 49, §60110

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Regulations

Regulations

Regulations

Citations & Metadata