(1) Prohibit smoking and open flames in the area.
(2) Install a metallic bond around the location of cuts in gas pipes to be made by other means than cutting torches.
(3) Take precautions to prevent static electricity sparks.
(4) Provide fire extinguishers of appropriate size and type in accordance with Department of Commerce requirements.
PSC 135.251 49 CFR s. 192.753 Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.753 (b), insert:
(cw) Existing unreinforced bell and spigot jointed cast iron pipe shall be operated at low pressure unless it can be proved to the Commission that they can be satisfactorily operated at a higher pressure. However, the operating pressure under any circumstances shall not exceed 15 p.s.i.g.
Fiscal Estimate
The Commission anticipates that there will be no fiscal impact of the proposed rules on state or local units of government.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
The proposed rules do not affect small businesses as defined in s. 227.114, Stats. The rules incorporate into the Wisconsin Administrative Code federal pipeline safety regulations that are already applicable to pipeline operators in this state.
Environmental Analysis
This is a Type III action under s. PSC 4.10(3). No unusual circumstances suggesting the likelihood of significant environmental consequences have come to the Commissions's attention. Neither an environmental impact statement under s. 1.11, Stats., nor an environmental assessment is required.
Notice of Submission of Proposed Rules to the Presiding Officer of each House of the Legislature, Under S. 227.19, Stats.
Please check the Bulletin of Proceedings for further information on a particular rule.
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
(CR 98-118):
Ch. ATCP 30 Appendix A - Relating to atrazine use restrictions.
S. VA 2.01 (2) (b) 2. - Relating to the expenditure limitation for dentures under the health care aid grant program.
Administrative Rules Filed With The
Revisor Of Statutes Bureau
The following administrative rules have been filed with the Revisor of Statutes Bureau and are in the process of being published. The date assigned to each rule is the projected effective date. It is possible that the publication of these rules could be delayed. Contact the Revisor of Statutes Bureau at (608) 266-7275 for updated information on the effective dates for the listed rules.
An order affecting s. Comm 2.35 and ch. Comm 67, relating to rental unit energy efficiency standards.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order repealing ch. ILHR 32 and creating ch. Comm 32, relating to public employe safety and health.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order affecting ss. Comm 16.50, 54.07 and 64.45 and chs. Comm 51, 52, 56 and 58, relating to an update of adopted National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards in the Building Code.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order creating ch. HFS 127, relating to the operation of rural medical centers.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order repealing and recreating ch. HFS 119, relating to the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (HIRSP).
Effective 02-01-99.
An order affecting ch. HFS 124, relating to critical access hospitals.
Effective 02-01-99.
An order creating ch. NR 749, relating to the assessment and collection of fees for providing assistance on the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated lands.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order affecting chs. NR 191 and 192, relating to lake protection and classification grants and lake classification technical assistance grants.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order affecting ch. PI 35, relating to the Milwaukee parental school choice program.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order creating ch. PI 38, relating to grants for peer review and mentoring.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order affecting ch. RR 1, relating to procedures and practices of the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order repealing ch. RR 3, relating to railroad ratemaking.
Effective 03-01-99.
An order affecting s. Tax 11.56, relating to the printing industry.
Effective 03-01-99.
Public Notice
Public Notice
Public Service Commission
Administrative Rules Regarding
Various Dispute Resolution Procedures
Under Federal and State Law
1-AC-181
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF RULES
PHASE 2
Analysis:
The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Act) and 1993 Wis. Act 496 established the requirement that telecommunications service providers negotiate agreements with competitors which allow the competitors to interconnect with or use the provider's facilities and services in order for the competitors to provide telecommunications services to their customers. The Act also established procedures for negotiation, arbitration, and approval of agreements. Among other duties and responsibilities, state commissions were mandated to mediate, arbitrate, and approve interconnection agreements under the Act. Courts have held, and s. 196.199 (2) (a), Stats., created by 1997 Wis. Act 218 and effective January 1, 1999, provides that the state also has the right to enforce existing agreements. As part of its enforcement power, the Commission may investigate whether a party to an interconnection agreement has failed to comply with the agreement.
On May 23, 1996, the Commission issued its Interim Procedures for Negotiations, Mediation, Arbitration, and Approval of Agreements (Interim Procedures) to implement state participation in developing competitive local exchange markets, as contemplated by the Act. The Commission recognized that, when these Interim Procedures were implemented, they would need to be modified based on the Commission's experience and then codified into permanent rules.
Section 196.219 (5), Stats., requires that the Commission develop rules establishing a procedure for Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) in cases involving complaints filed against a telecommunications utility or provider. Additionally, 1997 Wis. Act 218 allows the Commission to develop rules requiring that interconnection agreements include ADR provisions (s. 196.199 (2) (b), Stats.). 1997 Wis. Act 218 also requires that the Commission develop rules establishing standards and procedures for shortening a required 5-day controversy resolution opportunity (s. 196.199 (3) (b) 2., Stats.).
At its open meeting of May 5, 1998, the Commission approved a Statement of Scope proposing the development of rules regarding various dispute resolution procedures under federal and state law. The objective of the proposed rules is to implement the Commission's federal and state statutory authority to resolve various disputes between telecommunications providers and their customers.
Also mandated by 1997 Wis. Act 218 (s. 196.199 (2) (c), Stats.), an earlier rule addressed the related issue of whether an alleged failure to comply with an interconnection agreement has a significant adverse effect on another party to the agreement. (See Notice of Hearing in this docket, available under “Telecommunications Industry Notices" at
www.psc.state.wi.us/notices/ind-no98.htm.) The Commission is now preparing to develop permanent rules about the remaining areas concerning alternate dispute resolution.
Input Expressly Invited:
The Commission specifically invites telecommunications providers and interested others to provide comments and information concerning this proceeding. Interested persons may consider the Interim Procedures and Statement of Scope as starting points for further discussion. (See Interim Procedures available at
www.psc.state.wi.us/writings/papers/tele/intproc.htm and Statement of Scope available at
www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/register/reg509b.pdf.) Among the topics about which interested parties may wish to comment or provide information are:
