49 U.S.C. § 60103 : US Code - Section 60103: Standards for liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities

Search 49 U.S.C. § 60103 : US Code - Section 60103: Standards for liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities

(a) Location Standards. - The Secretary of Transportation shall
prescribe minimum safety standards for deciding on the location of
a new liquefied natural gas pipeline facility. In prescribing a
standard, the Secretary shall consider the -
(1) kind and use of the facility;
(2) existing and projected population and demographic
characteristics of the location;
(3) existing and proposed land use near the location;
(4) natural physical aspects of the location;
(5) medical, law enforcement, and fire prevention capabilities
near the location that can cope with a risk caused by the
facility; and
(6) need to encourage remote siting.
(b) Design, Installation, Construction, Inspection, and Testing
Standards. - The Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe
minimum safety standards for designing, installing, constructing,
initially inspecting, and initially testing a new liquefied natural
gas pipeline facility. When prescribing a standard, the Secretary
shall consider -
(1) the characteristics of material to be used in constructing
the facility and of alternative material;
(2) design factors;
(3) the characteristics of the liquefied natural gas to be
stored or converted at, or transported by, the facility; and
(4) the public safety factors of the design and of alternative
designs, particularly the ability to prevent and contain a
liquefied natural gas spill.
(c) Nonapplication. - (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of
this subsection, a design, location, installation, construction,
initial inspection, or initial testing standard prescribed under
this chapter after March 1, 1978, does not apply to an existing
liquefied natural gas pipeline facility if the standard is to be
applied because of authority given -
(A) under this chapter; or
(B) under another law, and the standard is not prescribed at
the time the authority is applied.
(2)(A) Any design, installation, construction, initial
inspection, or initial testing standard prescribed under this
chapter after March 1, 1978, may provide that the standard applies
to any part of a replacement component of a liquefied natural gas
pipeline facility if the component or part is placed in service
after the standard is prescribed and application of the standard -
(i) does not make the component or part incompatible with other
components or parts; or
(ii) is not impracticable otherwise.
(B) Any location standard prescribed under this chapter after
March 1, 1978, does not apply to any part of a replacement
component of an existing liquefied natural gas pipeline facility.
(3) A design, installation, construction, initial inspection, or
initial testing standard does not apply to a liquefied natural gas
pipeline facility existing when the standard is adopted.
(d) Operation and Maintenance Standards. - The Secretary of
Transportation shall prescribe minimum operating and maintenance
standards for a liquefied natural gas pipeline facility. In
prescribing a standard, the Secretary shall consider -
(1) the conditions, features, and type of equipment and
structures that make up or are used in connection with the
facility;
(2) the fire prevention and containment equipment at the
facility;
(3) security measures to prevent an intentional act that could
cause a liquefied natural gas accident;
(4) maintenance procedures and equipment;
(5) the training of personnel in matters specified by this
subsection; and
(6) other factors and conditions related to the safe handling
of liquefied natural gas.
(e) Effective Dates. - A standard prescribed under this section
is effective on the 30th day after the Secretary of Transportation
prescribes the standard. However, the Secretary for good cause may
prescribe a different effective date when required because of the
time reasonably necessary to comply with the standard. The
different date must be specified in the regulation prescribing the
standard.
(f) Contingency Plans. - A new liquefied natural gas pipeline
facility may be operated only after the operator submits an
adequate contingency plan that states the action to be taken if a
liquefied natural gas accident occurs. The Secretary of Energy or
appropriate State or local authority shall decide if the plan is
adequate.
(g) Effect on Other Standards. - This section does not preclude
applying a standard prescribed under section 60102 of this title to
a gas pipeline facility (except a liquefied natural gas pipeline
facility) associated with a liquefied natural gas pipeline
facility.