PSC 135.238 49 CFR s. 192.629 Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.629 (b), insert:
(cw) No pipeline, main, or service shall be purged into any building or confined space.
PSC 135.239 49 CFR s. 192.707 Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.707 (d), insert:
(ew) When transmission lines are located outside urban areas, their location shall be marked (recognizable to the public) at each fence line, road crossing, railroad crossing, river, lake, stream, or drainage ditch crossing and wherever it is considered necessary to identify the location of a pipeline to reduce the possibility of damage or interference.
PSC 135.240 49 CFR s. 192.713 Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.713 (a) (3), insert:
(4w) Gouges and grooves of lesser depth than 10% of the nominal wall thickness of the pipe may be removed by grinding out to a smooth contour provided the grinding does not reduce the remaining wall thickness to less than the minimum prescribed by this code for the conditions of use.
PSC 135.241 49 CFR s. 192.720w Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.719, insert:
192.721w Repair of steel pipe operating below 40 percent of the specified minimum yield strength. If inspections at any time reveal an injurious defect, gouge, groove, dent, or leak, immediate temporary measures shall be employed to protect the property and public if it is not feasible to make permanent repair at time of discovery. As soon as feasible, permanent repairs shall be made using recognized methods of repair.
PSC 135.242 49 CFR s. 192.722w Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.721, insert:
192.722w Distribution mains: markers. When distribution mains are located outside urban areas, their location shall be marked (recognizable to the public) at each fence line, road crossing, railroad crossing, river, lake, stream, or drainage ditch crossing and wherever it is considered necessary to identify the location of a pipeline to reduce the possibility of damage or interference.
PSC 135.243 49 CFR s. 192.723 Additions. After 49 CFR s. 192.723 (b), insert:
(cw) Every operator shall maintain a gas leak-detection program and shall maintain records of operation under the program. The program shall consist of not less than the following:
(1) In addition to 49 CFR s. 192.723 (b) (1), an additional leakage survey with a leak detection device shall be conducted over street openings in business districts (as shown by maps filed with the Commission by each utility) at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year and not more than 4 1/2 months before or after the survey required under 49 CFR s. 192.723 (b) (1).
(2) In each business district, a building survey shall be conducted at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. The piping from the service entrance to the meter outlet and metering and regulating equipment shall be tested for gas leakage in those buildings that have gas service.
(3) A survey of all buildings used for public gatherings, such as schools, churches, hospitals, and theaters, shall be conducted at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. The piping from the service entrance to the meter outlet and metering and regulating equipment shall be tested for gas leakage.
(4) In incorporated cities and villages, in addition to a survey of public buildings, the operator shall conduct a leak survey of all mains using a continuous-sampling instrument capable of detecting and measuring combustible gas in air concentrations of 100 parts per million. The utility may substitute for the test required by this provision a survey by mobile flame ionization or infrared gas detection units. The tests required by this provision shall be made at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year.
(5) Along all mains in unincorporated areas, a leakage survey with leak detection equipment shall be conducted at least once every two calendar years at intervals not exceeding 27 months.
(6) A leakage survey of all services conducted with an acceptable leak detection device shall be made at intervals not exceeding five years.
(7) When a leak complaint is received and the odor of gas indicates that there is a leak in or near the premises, a search shall be carried to conclusion until the leak is found.
PSC 135.244 49 CFR s. 192.724w Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.723, insert:
PSC 192.724w Further leakage survey after repair of leak. When a leak is found and repaired, a further check shall be made in the vicinity of the repaired leak to determine if there is any other source of migrant gas in the neighborhood.
PSC 135.245 49 CFR s. 192.727 Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.727 (f), insert:
(gw) Special efforts shall be made to include services which have not been used for ten years in a way that will remove gas from the customers' premises. The plan shall include the following provisions:
(1) If the facilities are abandoned in place, they shall be physically disconnected from the piping system. The open ends of all abandoned facilities shall be capped, plugged, or otherwise effectively sealed.
(2) In cases where a main is abandoned, together with the service lines connected to it, insofar as service lines are concerned, only the customers' end of such service lines need be sealed as stipulated above.
(3) Until the time a service is abandoned, it shall be treated as active for purposes of applying the regulations of 49 CFR s. 192. If a service line is not treated as an active line, it shall be physically disconnected at the main and purged, no later than 2 years after becoming inactive.
(4) Services that are inactive for more than two years shall be physically disconnected from the customer's piping.
PSC 135.246 49 CFR s. 192.735 Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.735 (b), insert:
(cw) All aboveground oil or gasoline storage tanks shall be constructed and protected in accordance with the applicable codes of the Department of Commerce.
PSC 135.247 49 CFR s. 192.741 Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.741 (c), insert:
(dw) Each low pressure distribution system must be equipped with telemetering or recording pressure gage or gages as may be required to properly indicate the gas pressure in the system at all times. At least once each year the pressure variation shall be determined throughout each system.
PSC 135.248 49 CFR s. 192.744w Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.743, insert:
PSC 192.744w Service regulators and associated safety devices: inspection and testing. Company service regulators and associated safety devices on customers' premises shall be inspected and tested periodically to determine whether they are in proper operating condition. This shall include testing of the set pressure of the regulator at a specific flow rate, determination of the lock-up pressure, and determination as to whether there are any leaks, internal or external, associated with the regulator. The test interval shall be the same as the interval between meter changes in the meter rotation program, s. PSC 134.30.
PSC 135.249 49 CFR s. 192.747 Addition. After the text in 49 CFR s. 192.747, insert:
(aw) Inspection shall include checking of alignment to permit use of a key or wrench and clearing from the valve box or vault any debris which would interfere or delay the operation of the valve. Records shall be maintained to show specific valve location and such records shall be made continuously accessible to authorized personnel for use under emergency conditions.
(bw) Existing connections in the form of inline valves between low pressure gas distribution systems and high pressure gas distribution systems shall be physically severed by January 1, 1974.
(cw) The by-pass valves in district regulator stations supplying gas to a low pressure distribution system shall be sealed, locked or otherwise be rendered incapable of operation, except by authorized personnel by January 1, 1974.
PSC 135.250 49 CFR s. 192.751 Addition. After 49 CFR s. 192.751 (c), insert:
(dw) Whenever the accidental ignition in the open air of gas-air mixture might be likely to cause personal injury or property damage, precautions shall be taken as, for example:
(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.
