49 U.S.C. § 60110 : US Code - Section 60110: Excess flow valves

Search 49 U.S.C. § 60110 : US Code - Section 60110: Excess flow valves

(a) Application. - This section applies only to -
(1) a natural gas distribution system installed after the
effective date of regulations prescribed under this section; and
(2) any other natural gas distribution system when repair to
the system requires replacing a part to accommodate installing
excess flow valves.
(b) Installation Requirements and Considerations. - Not later
than April 24, 1994, the Secretary of Transportation shall
prescribe standards on the circumstances, if any, under which an
operator of a natural gas distribution system must install excess
flow valves in the system. The Secretary shall consider -
(1) the system design pressure;
(2) the system operating pressure;
(3) the types of customers to which the distribution system
supplies gas, including hospitals, schools, and commercial
enterprises;
(4) the technical feasibility and cost of installing,
operating, and maintaining the valve;
(5) the public safety benefits of installing the valve;
(6) the location of customer meters; and
(7) other factors the Secretary considers relevant.
(c) Notification of Availability. - (1) Not later than October
24, 1994, the Secretary shall prescribe standards requiring an
operator of a natural gas distribution system to notify in writing
its customers having lines in which excess flow valves are not
required by law but can be installed according to the standards
prescribed under subsection (e) of this section, of -
(A) the availability of excess flow valves for installation in
the system;
(B) safety benefits to be derived from installation; and
(C) costs associated with installation, maintenance, and
replacement.
(2) The standards shall provide that, except when installation is
required under subsection (b) of this section, excess flow valves
shall be installed at the request of the customer if the customer
will pay all costs associated with installation.
(d) Report. - If the Secretary decides under subsection (b) of
this section that there are no circumstances under which an
operator must install excess flow valves, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report on the reasons for the decision not
later than 30 days after the decision is made.
(e) Performance Standards. - Not later than April 24, 1994, the
Secretary shall develop standards for the performance of excess
flow valves used to protect lines in a natural gas distribution
system. The Secretary may adopt industry accepted performance
standards in order to comply with the requirement under the
preceding sentence. The standards shall be incorporated into
regulations the Secretary prescribes under this section. All excess
flow valves shall be installed according to the standards.