Emergency Notification Requirements for Gas Operators

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Gas Distribution NPRM Emergency Notifications New ICR.docx Supporting Statement A	2023-09-15

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
262192	Emergency Notifications to Emergency Responders	New
262191	Emergency Notifications to Customers	New
262190	Emergency Notifications to Public Officials	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202309-2137-002
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOT/PHMSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Emergency Notification Requirements for Gas Operators
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 09/20/2023

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved
Responses	194	0
Time Burden (Hours)	838	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: This mandatory information collection covers the requirement for owners and operators of gas distribution pipelines to notify their customers and public officials in the event of certain instances pertaining to pipeline safety.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 60102
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
2137-AF53	Proposed rulemaking	88 FR 61746	09/07/2023

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Emergency Notifications to Customers
Emergency Notifications to Emergency Responders
Emergency Notifications to Public Officials

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	194	0	0	194	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	838	0	0	838	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Distribution Pipelines and Other Pipeline Safety Initiatives NPRM requires operators of gas distribution pipeline systems to make emergency notifications in certain instances. In the event of a release of gas resulting in one or more fatalities, all operators would also be required to immediately and directly notify emergency response officials upon receiving notice of the same. For distribution pipeline operators only, PHMSA’s proposed expansion of the list of emergencies discussed above would also include the unintentional release of gas and shutdown of gas service to 50 or more customers (or 50 percent of its customers if it has fewer than 100 total customers). Operators would need to immediately and directly notify emergency response officials on receiving notice of the same. PHMSA also proposes a series of regulatory amendments requiring gas distribution operators to update their emergency response plans to improve communications with the public during an emergency.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 09/20/2023

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