§60143 — Title 49 Transportation | U.S. Code

Summary

Pipelines are "idled" when they stop normal service and will stay out of service for at least 180 days, are cut off from any hazardous liquids or gases, and either are cleaned of flammable or hazardous materials and kept with a low‑pressure inert gas blanket, or are left uncleaned only if the remaining gas is so tiny it poses no danger as the Secretary decides by rule. Within 2 years after the PIPES Act of 2020, the Secretary must write rules saying which pipeline safety laws apply to idled gas and hazardous liquid transmission lines. The rules must match the risk to people, property, and the environment, set reinspection schedules, require an inspection and verification that purging was done when required, and say that a pipeline can only restart after passing a hydrostatic test, an internal inspection device, or another comparable method and meeting all current safety rules.

Title 49, §60143

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section, the term “idled”, with respect to a pipeline, means that the pipeline—

(1)(A)has ceased normal operations; and

(B)will not resume service for a period of not less than 180 days;

(2)has been isolated from all sources of hazardous liquid, natural gas, or other gas; and

(3)(A)has been purged of combustibles and hazardous materials and maintains a blanket of inert, nonflammable gas at low pressure; or

(B)has not been purged as described in subparagraph (A), but the volume of gas is so small that there is no potential hazard, as determined by the Secretary pursuant to a rule.

(b)(1)Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2020, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations prescribing the applicability of the pipeline safety requirements to idled natural or other gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines.

(2)(A)The applicability of the regulations under paragraph (1) shall be based on the risk that idled natural or other gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines pose to the public, property, and the environment, and shall include requirements to resume operation.

(B)The Secretary or an appropriate State agency shall inspect each idled pipeline and verify that the pipeline has been purged of combustibles and hazardous materials, if required under subsection (a).

(C)The Secretary shall determine the requirements for periodic reinspection of idled natural or other gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines.

(D)As a condition to allowing an idled pipeline to resume operations, the Secretary shall require that, prior to resuming operations, the pipeline shall be—

(i)inspected with—

(I)hydrostatic pressure testing;

(II)an internal inspection device; or

(III)if the use of hydrostatic pressure testing or an internal inspection device is not technologically feasible, another comparable technology or practice; and

(ii)in compliance with regulations promulgated under this chapter, including any regulations that became effective while the pipeline was idled.

References in Text

The date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2020, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is the date of enactment of div. R of Pub. L. 116–260, which was approved Dec. 27, 2020.

§60143 Idled Pipelines

Summary

Title 49, §60143

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

References in Text

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