This rulemaking also incorporates by reference all of the federal code, including changes made since July 1, 2007.
The numbering in this rule can be confusing because it is making insertions into the federal code. As a result, the numbering used for the substantive sections follows federal numbering conventions rather than state. Further, again following federal drafting conventions, when referring to other provisions in a piece of rule language that is being inserted into the federal code, the term “paragraph" is used, whereas under Wisconsin drafting conventions it might be referred to, for example, as “section" or “subdivision." Finally, Subchapter I of the rules has general state provisions rather than additions to the federal code. These are numbered using 4 numbers after the rule number. Subchapter II of the rules has the additions to the federal code. These are numbered using 3 numbers after the rule number. Subchapter I uses 4 numbers because it needs to be numbered lower than the first number in Subchapter II. So, for example, 135.0001 comes before 135.001.
Some changes have been made to bring the rules into current rulemaking format, without making a substantive change. For example, negative statements such as “No utility shall" and “A utility shall not" have been changed to “No utility may" and “A utility may not." These remain mandatory provisions; they have just been converted to current drafting conventions. Further, the existing state additions to the pipeline safety rules have been reviewed and revisions made, where appropriate, to ensure pipeline safety in Wisconsin.
Information concerning significant changes to the Wisconsin additions to the federal code include the following:
135.0009 – Whistleblower protection
Under this provision, employers cannot retaliate against employees who “blow the whistle" about safety or the reliability of any portion of the gas system.
135.0010 – Filing requirements and maintenance of records
Part of this provision was moved from PSC section 135.019(4). Under this provision, operators must file manuals, and updates to those manuals, with the commission. Operators must also keep records and manuals in Wisconsin. It is sufficient to have computer access to some records.
Also, each operator must provide the commission with a list of customers that it believes may be master meter operators. This assists the commission in its inspections and allows the commission to open communication with these master meter operators to ensure that they are aware of the safety regulations they must follow.
135.001 – Scope of part addition
This change clarifies that all gathering lines that operate under pressure are within the commission's jurisdiction.
135.003 – Definition additions
Six definitions were added:
Acceptable leak detection device The definition is created rather than having the full description included in multiple places in the rule language.
Business district – This is added to clarify the phrase.
Commission – This is added as a “shorthand" way of referring to the Public Service Commission.
Distribution center – This is added to aid in defining transmission lines, the definition for which uses this previously undefined term.
Master meter system – This incorporates the federal definition and adds a clarification that is in line with the current federal enforcement policy.
Qualified person – This is added to clarify the phrase.
135.013 – General additions
Under this provision, utilities must conduct certain surveys of master meter operator systems and master meter system operators must have certain repairs done. This will aid in inspections and commission work with master meter operators. It will also increase public safety. The requirement is intended to attach to the facility, not the owner. So, if a utility performs inspections of a facility and then the facility is sold, the utility does not have to do them again for the new owner.
135.055 – Steel pipe addition
This was deleted as the process mentioned is no longer used to make steel.
135.103 – General addition
Cast iron pipes present a major leak problem due to frost heave. Except for maintenance of old mains, no new cast iron pipe has been installed since the 1950s. This provision has been changed to state that operators may no longer install or operate cast iron pipe. It specifically refers to pipe and does not prohibit the installation or use of cast iron components such as valves and fittings.
135.161 – Supports and anchors addition
Under this provision, builders must use non-combustible materials when constructing regulator station buildings. This matches a requirement that already exists for compressor stations. This provision ensures greater safety in case of a fire at a regulator station.
135.173 – Compressor stations: ventilation addition
This was deleted as unnecessary because it is now covered by other local, state and federal codes.
135.181 – Distribution line valves additions
(1) This provision will ensure that relighting occurs in a timely manner after an outage occurs. There is a federal requirement that valves be placed to assist in a quick shutdown. In Wisconsin, due to the winters, it is also important to have guidelines for quick relighting.
(2) This change removes as unnecessary a decades-old grandfather clause.
135.195 – Protection against accidental overpressuring additions
(4w) (i) This was deleted as unnecessary because these devices are no longer used.
(dw) This was added to ensure that the gas system operates during flood emergencies.
(ew) This was added to ensure that there is no overpressuring in case of monitoring regulator failure.
135.197 – Control of the pressure of gas delivered from high-pressure distribution systems additions
(fw) Under this provision, operators are required to have a monitor that indicates when a service regulator fails so that the operator knows there is no overpressure protection there. This is required immediately for new installations, and provides 10 years for existing regulators.
(gw) This provision is necessary given the climate and conditions in Wisconsin.
135.199 – Requirements for design of pressure relief and limiting devices additions
(2)(gw) This adds a standard for venting gas into the atmosphere in a safe manner and in a manner that helps prevent tampering.
(jw) This language clarifies that the provision only applies to district regulator stations, not all regulator stations. Operators with district regulator stations using the operator monitor form of regulation must provide a method to indicate the failure of the operating regulator, and must check district regulator monitors once a month.
135.225 – Welding procedures addition and 135.227 – Qualification of welders
These provisions eliminate Appendix C of
49 CFR 192 and section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code as options for qualifying welders. Instead, the rule requires welders to be qualified under requirements developed specifically for pipeline welders.
135.273 – General
This provision prohibits the use of a compression-style coupling to join steel pipe during initial construction or as a permanent repair.
135.279 – Copper pipe addition
This provision is eliminated as unnecessary because the type of piping addressed is no longer used.
135.305 – Inspection General
This provision clarifies current inspection standards.
135.323 – Casing addition
This provision about casings is deleted because it is redundant.
135.325 – Underground clearance additions
This provision applies the same underground clearance standard to mains that currently exists for transmission lines. It also clarifies that a building may not be put over an existing in-service main or transmission line. Currently, the provision only states that a line cannot be put beneath a building.
135.327 – Cover additions
Under this provision, an operator must ensure that code-required coverage of mains and transmission lines is maintained when a road is reconstructed.
135.351 – Scope additions
Under this provision, an operator must have written procedures for the installation and inspection of service lines, regulators and meters.
135.353(aw) – Customer meters and regulators: location addition
Under this provision, for a new installation an operator must install a meter outside and as close as possible to the building wall, unless doing so is physically impracticable.
135.361 – Service lines: installations additions
This provision applies the 12-inch clearance requirement to service lines and requires that the code-required coverage is maintained when a road is reconstructed.
135.365 – Service lines: location of valves additions
This provision clarifies when an operator must have an outside valve in a readily accessible location and when an operator must install an underground service valve as close as possible to the main.
135.375 – Service lines: plastic addition
This provision has been deleted because it is redundant. It is in the federal code now.
135.379 – New service lines not in use additions
Under this provision, an operator may not turn on gas service until a customer is ready to use it.
135.461 – External corrosion control: protective coating addition
Under this provision, where appropriate given soil conditions, an installer must use a current drain test to inspect a coating after using a boring, driving or similar installation method.
135.465 – External corrosion control: monitoring addition
Under this provision, an operator must take remedial action within 12 months of discovering problems within the cathotic protection system.
135.481 – Atmospheric corrosion control: monitoring addition
Under this provision, an operator must take remedial action within 12 months of discovering atmospheric corrosion. This change is made because, generally, pipeline repairs must be made by the next reporting cycle. While in many cases this is 12 months, atmospheric corrosion inspections only take place every 3 years. This is too long to wait for repairs to be made, so 12 months was chosen.
135.503 – General requirements additions
Under this provision, an operator must pressure test all pipelines to a minimum of 90 p.s.i.g., unless federal law requires more stringent testing.
135.506 – Strength test requirements for steel pipeline
This provision lowers the minimum test pressure for transmission lines from 90% of system maximum yield strength to 85%. Prefabricated assemblies and station piping are exempted from the testing requirement.
135.511 – Test requirements for service lines addition
This provision increases the minimum test pressure to 90 p.s.i. for reinstated service lines.
135.517 – Records additions
Under this provision, an operator must include the test date on each test record and keep the records as long as the pipeline is in service.
135.605 – Procedural manual for operations, maintenance and emergencies
Under this provision, operators must have a written quality control procedure for evaluating third parties performing operation and maintenance activities.
135.613 – Continuing surveillance additions
This change reduces the requirement for surveying when repaving to allow a recent prior test to suffice as the leakage survey. It also ends the requirement that property abutting streets be tested.
135.614 – Damage prevention program addition
Under this provision, all operators must report damage to a national central body (Common Ground Alliance), and information so reported must be available to the commission upon request.
135.615 – Emergency plans
Under this provision, an operator must respond immediately to reports of carbon monoxide. Also, an operator must meet different emergency response times for higher and lower density areas, and a report to the commission is required when response times significantly exceed the specified times.
