65-407-420 Me. Code R. § 2

Current through 2024-25, June 19, 2024

Section 407-420-2 - Definitions

A.Building. "Building" means any structure that is regularly or periodically occupied by people.

B.Chapter 130 "Chapter 130" means Chapter 130 of the rules of the MPUC, 65-407 C.M.R. ch. 130.

C.Chapter 140. "Chapter 140" means Chapter 140 of the rules of the MPUC, 65-407 C.M.R. ch. 140.

D.Chapter 895. "Chapter 895" means Chapter 895 of the rules of the MPUC, 65-407 C.M.R. ch. 895.

E.Consolidated Rock. "Consolidated rock" means rock that is firm and coherent, solidified, or cemented, such as granite, gneiss, limestone, shale, or sandstone that has not been decomposed by weathering.

F.Critical Valve. "Critical valve" means any valve whose use may be necessary for the safe operation of a distribution system.

G.DIMP. "DIMP" means an operator's Distribution Integrity Management Program written plan required as part of 49 C.F.R., Subpart P.

H.Enclosure. "Enclosure" means a protective structure that protects its contents from intrusion and/or weather.

I.Gas. "Gas" means natural gas, flammable gas, or gas which is toxic or corrosive including mixtures of propane and air when introduced to natural gas transmission and distribution systems, but not distribution systems dedicated exclusively to liquefied propane gas.

J.Gas Safety Staff. "Gas Safety Staff" means the MPUC Director of Consumer Assistance and Safety, the MPUC Gas Safety Manager, MPUC Pipeline Safety Inspectors, and any MPUC Staff Attorney or Utility Analyst assigned by the MPUC to regularly support the MPUC's pipeline safety program.

K.Global Positioning System (GPS). "Global positioning system" or "GPS" means a satellite navigation system used to determine the ground position of an object.

L.Independent Proctor. "Independent Proctor" means a representative of an outside testing or qualifying organization or agency administering a given test, or, if testing is not administered by an outside organization or agency, a supervisor, manager, or consultant directly employed by the operator.

M.Leakage Survey. "Leakage Survey" means a survey of gas facilities employing industry accepted testing equipment and effective procedures, including atmospheric tests in available openings and bar holes to locate leaks in gas systems.

N.Leak Progression Map. "Leak Progression Map" means a map of the transmission and distribution system of the operator, drawn to a suitable scale, upon which there is indicated in a suitable code the leaks found to exist in the system during an indicated reporting period.

O.Main. "Main" means a distribution line that serves as a common source of supply for one or more service lines.

P.MAOP. "MAOP" means Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 192.619.

Q.Master Meter System. "Master Meter System" means a pipeline system for distributing gas within a definable area, such as, but not limited to, a mobile home park, housing project, or apartment complex, where the operator purchases metered gas from an outside source for resale through a gas distribution pipeline system to supply gas using equipment operated by the ultimate consumer who either purchases the gas directly through a meter or by other means, such as by rents.

R.MPUC. "MPUC" means the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

S.NFPA. "NFPA" means the National Fire Protection Association, and any number following "NFPA" (e.g., "NFPA 54") refers to the applicable code or standard published by the NFPA.

T.Operator. "Operator" means a person who operates gas pipeline facilities on his or her own behalf, or as an agent designated by the owner. Operator includes all operators of gas utilities defined as a "Gas Utility" in 35-A M.R.S. §102(8), all operators of gas pipelines as defined in 49 C.F.R. Part 192 except liquid propane gas distribution systems, and all operators of natural gas pipeline utilities as defined as "Natural Gas Pipeline Utility" in 35-A M.R.S. §102(10).

U.Pipeline System. "Pipeline system" means all parts of those physical facilities through which gas moves in transportation, including, but not limited to, pipe, valves, and other appurtenances attached to pipe, compressor units, metering stations, regulator stations, delivery stations, holders, and fabricated assemblies.

V.PHMSA. "PHMSA" means U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

W.Pipe Appurtenance. "Pipe Appurtenance" means any instrument or equipment permanently affixed to a natural gas transmission line, main, or service line. Pipe appurtenances include, but are not limited to, valves, tees, and couplings.

X.Prosecutorial Staff. "Prosecutorial Staff" means MPUC Staff assigned as advocates in an enforcement proceeding under this Chapter. Prosecutorial Staff are parties to an enforcement proceeding under this Chapter and are not "advisory staff" as that term is used in Title 35-A of the Maine Revised Statutes and Chapter 110 of the MPUC's Rules.

Y.Service Line. "Service Line" means the distribution line that transports gas from a common source of supply, such as a main, to an individual customer meter or to multiple customer meters as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 192.3. A service line ends at the outlet of the customer meter or at the connection to a customer's piping, whichever is furthest downstream, or at the connection to customer piping if there is no meter.

Z.Underground Obstruction. "Underground obstruction" means one or more sub-surface structures, including other utility infrastructure, that would require the lowering of the natural gas facility to a depth greater than 48" to obtain separation distances required by this Chapter. Consolidated rock is not an underground obstruction.

65-407 C.M.R. ch. 420, § 2