39 Miss. Code. R. 3-4-57.2

Current through December 10, 2024

Rule 39-3-4-57.2

100. PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY:

To ensure that every Natural Gas Distribution system in Mississippi is in compliance with 49-CFR-191-199, as is or hereinafter amended, and promotes full compliance with said code. This includes but is not limited to natural gas distribution and natural gas transmission facilities.

105. OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS:

RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLIANCE:

Responsibility for the safety and sustained prudent operation of the gas system shall be shared by the governing body of the gas system. Regardless of retention or release of an operator, the governing body shall assume all responsibility for the safe operation of the gas system action(s) and shall be held accountable by the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

Gas Districts/Cities/Townships/Private establishments providing natural gas to consumers shall retain a natural gas operator. The candidate for the operator position shall complete qualification as stated by the authority of the Mississippi Public Service Commission. Each operator, prior to operating a pipeline facility in the state of Mississippi shall complete the requirements as follows:

(1) INITIAL QUALIFICATION:

a. 100 hours of training specific to operation of pipeline facilities. A master meter or other operator may be given credit toward his or her hours of training at 20 hours per year for a maximum of five years. The Mississippi Public Service Commission shall determine the amount of credit given.

b. The covered tasks list as shown below may present a certain amount of danger to the public and consumers. These tasks require a deeper understanding of the subject material than most other tasks. These tasks are referred to as critical covered tasks and should be understood prior to an operator directing a gas system. New operators shall be allowed 90 days to be trained and qualified for the eight tasks. The operator shall be in compliance with all covered tasks as addressed in the Operator Qualification Program of the gas system that is being operated by said operator. The operator shall accomplish the complete training and qualification on all tasks within twelve months from the date appointed. The tasks referred to herein shall be known as "Critical Covered" tasks:

1- Leak Investigations and odor complaints

2- Accidental Release of natural gas

3- Purging of natural gas pipelines

4- Pressure testing to establish gas service

5- Odorant/Odorization

6- Gas System Connect/Disconnect

7- Inspecting Pressure regulating stations

8- Operation and Maintenance of Valves

(2) CONTINUING QUALIFICATION

Classroom instructional training:

a. Minimum of 21 hours for master meter operators;

b. Minimum of 36 hours for all other operators.

After completing his or her initial qualification, a master meter operator must maintain 21 hours of continuing education, 7 minimum hours per year. All other operators must maintain 36 hours of continuing education, 12 minimum hours per year. Continuing education hours shall be obtained by attending a Mississippi Public Service Commission approved course of instruction. An operator shall have 3 years after completing his or her initial qualification to accumulate his or her continuing education hours.

(3) LOSS OF OPERATOR

In the event of loss of operator, due to illness, death, discharge or other legitimate cause, notice shall be given to the Commission within twenty four (24) hours, and the continued operation of such system without a certified operator may proceed on an interim basis for a period not to exceed 180 days as long as the system is in good standing as determined by the Director of Pipeline Safety. A petition for extension showing good cause must be presented to the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

(4) GENERAL

a. Hours may not be transferred to any other individual.

b. No system subject to the provisions of this rule shall be required to have more than one operator meeting the qualifications set forth in paragraph A of this rule.

110. DEFINITIONS:

ASSOCIATION: The Mississippi Natural Gas Association

COMMISSION: The Mississippi Public Service Commission.

GAS: As defined by 49 CFR 192, gas means natural gas, flammable gas, or gas which is toxic or corrosive.

HAZARDOUS LIQUID: Petroleum, petroleum products, CO2 or anhydrous ammonia.

MASTER METER OPERATION: A pipeline system for distributing gas within, but not limited to a definable area, such as 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. The gas distribution pipeline system supplies the ultimate consumer who either purchases the gas directly through a meter or by other means, such as rents.

MUNICIPALITY - A city, county, or other political subdivision of a state.

OPERATOR - An individual having primary responsibility operating, maintaining pipeline facilities.

SYSTEM - Any individual, firm, joint venture, partnership, corporation association, municipality, cooperative association, or joint stock association and including any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative therefore.

PIPELINE SYSTEM: A pipeline system that may be natural gas distribution, natural gas transmission or hazardous liquid pipeline.

STATE - The State of Mississippi.

TRANSPORTATION OF GAS - The distribution of natural gas or hazardous liquids to the public for compensation.

CLASSIFICATION OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS:

CLASS A SYSTEMS:

Natural gas distribution systems of 20,000 or more meters or 100 miles or more of transmission pipelines and satisfy the requirements of this administrative rule by demonstrating to the Commission that by training and education the operators of the systems have met the standards for certification and therefore do not need to have individually named operators.

CLASS B SYSTEMS:

Natural gas distribution systems of less than 20,000 meters and more than 3,000 meters or less than 100 and more than 50 miles of transmission pipelines may elect to meet Class A standards or Class C standards.

CLASS C SYSTEMS:

Natural gas distribution systems of less than 3,000 meters or less than 50 miles of transmission pipelines are required to have individually named operators.

CLASS D SYSTEMS: MASTER METER OPERATION

Those persons who manage or are responsible for a Master Meter operation.

115. DUTIES, MEMBERSHIPS, MEETINGS AND EXPENSES:

1. There shall be an Advisory Committee established to assist the Commission and Association in the certification of natural gas operators and the regulatory program thereafter. The duties of the Committee shall be to consult with these agencies in all matters pertaining to certification programs and make appropriate recommendations regarding rules and procedures. The Committee shall consist of (7) members as follows: Four (4) persons, each representing the four (4) classes, elected in staggered terms by the Association, two (2) persons, at large selected by the Committee to serve at pleasure of the Committee, one (1) appointed representative of the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

2. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee shall be elected by and from the Committee membership. The Committee shall meet at least twice per year at the call of the Chairman. Members of the Committee shall be reimbursed by their respective organization only, and not by Committee, Association, or Commission.

3. The minutes shall be recorded and filed with the Public Service Commission.

120. APPEALS

Any operator, system, or master meter operation aggrieved by this administrative rule, must file a petition stating the grievance to the Committee. The Committee will recommend to the Mississippi Public Service Commission the possible solution that the Committee feels is appropriate. Final decision in all grievances rests with the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

125. PENALTIES

Any operator of system found by the Commission, or any duly designated hearing officer appointed thereby, to be in violation of any of these provisions or any rule, regulation or order of the Public Service Commission, shall be subject to fines and/or penalties as provided by law. *

* Rule 57.2 As amended by Order of the Commission in Docket 1997-AD-508, effective January 1, 1998.

* Rule 57.2 As amended by Order of the Commission in Docket 2013-AD-196, effective February 15, 2014.

39 Miss. Code. R. 3-4-57.2