The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis for this rulemaking is included as Attachment A1.
D. BASIS AND PURPOSE OF RULES
Under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety, the commission is authorized to enforce federal natural gas pipeline safety requirements as set out in the Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR. Parts 192, 193, and 199. As part of the agreement, the commission adopts the federal pipeline safety code in Wis. Admin. Code s. PSC 135.019. The commission’s latest version of that rule adopts the federal code up to January 1, 2013. New gas pipeline safety code requirements are generally enacted in October of each year. As a result, the commission needs to amend its rule to include those federal regulation changes made since January 2013. Adoption of these amendments will keep the commission in compliance with its obligation to adopt all federal changes in the pipeline safety area. E. SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS AND COMMISSION RESPONSES
No public comments received were received.
F. APPEARANCES AT PUBLIC HEARING
This rulemaking has been done without a hearing because, under s. 227.16 (2) (b), Stats., no hearing is required when an existing rule is being brought into conformity with a statute that has changed. However, written comments were solicited. G. ANY CHANGES TO THE FISCAL ESTIMATE OR THE ANALYSIS UNDER s. 227.14(2), STATS. None.
H. RESPONSE TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMENTS
A copy of the Legislative Council report is included as Attachment A2. Responses to those comments follow:
2. Form, Style and Placement in Administrative Code
Agree. Changes made.
I. MISCELLANEOUS DETERMINATIONS
The commission’s Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act coordinator examined whether the rules will have an environmental impact and concluded that they will not. Commission staff considered whether the rules will impact housing under s. 227.115, Stats., and concluded that they will not. Commission staff also complied with s. 227.21, Stats., to incorporate by reference provisions of the federal regulations.
