N.J. Admin. Code § 14:7-1.10

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 12, June 17, 2024

Section 14:7-1.10 - Valve assessment and emergency closure plan-transmission pipelines

(a) Each operator shall ensure that all transmission pipelines have sectionalizing valves that meet the requirements of this chapter and 49 CFR 192.179.

(b) Each operator of a transmission pipeline shall maintain and file with the Board a valve assessment and emergency closure plan for each of the operator's transmission pipelines. This plan shall assess each valve individually and shall describe how the operator will achieve rapid closure of valves in the event of an emergency.

(c) Each valve assessment and emergency closure plan shall include:

1. A map showing the spacing of all valves;

2. A detailed evaluation of each Class 3 or Class 4 valve location that does not have a remotely controlled or automatically controlled valve. This evaluation shall classify each valve, based on the factors at (c)2i through xi below, as high or low priority in regard to the need for a remotely controlled or automatically controlled valve:

i. The class location, as defined in 49 CFR 192.5, of the valve location;

ii. The amount of time and the mechanism required to close the existing valve, based on the size and type of the valve;

iii. The accessibility of the valve location in times of emergency, including a consideration of likely traffic conditions during the emergency;

iv. The proximity of environmentally sensitive areas;

v. The potential for third party damage;

vi. The right-of-way conditions;

vii. The corrosion history of the transmission line;

viii. The design of the transmission line;

ix. The operating conditions of the transmission line;

x. The cost of the installation or retrofit; and

xi. Any other factors that the pipeline operator considers appropriate, subject to the approval of these factors by the Board staff;

3. A timetable for the installation or retrofit, at each high priority location, of remotely controlled or automatically controlled valves within two years of the date the plan is approved; and

4. A training program for the appropriate operating personnel to ensure that they have a thorough knowledge of, and are qualified to implement, the plan's emergency procedures.

(d) Upon receipt of an operator's valve assessment and emergency closure plan, the Board's Bureau of Pipeline Safety shall review and approve the plan, with such modifications as the staff deems necessary, including changes in the prioritization of the valve locations, to ensure the rapid closure in an emergency of any sectionalizing valve on the transmission pipeline.

(e) The transmission pipeline operator shall update the valve assessment and emergency closure plan annually to account for changes in population density, new transmission lines, new valve technology, and other material changes. The operator shall submit the plan to the Board at the following times:

1. If significant changes do not occur, the operator shall submit the plan at least once every two calendar years, and within an interval not to exceed 27 months; and

2. If significant changes occur during the period described in (e)1 above, the operator shall submit the plan to the Board staff at least once each calendar year, and within an interval not to exceed 15 months.

(f) An emergency closure drill that simulates shutting down a selected section of transmission line shall be performed at least once in a calendar year, but within an interval not to exceed 15 months. At least once every three years, the emergency closure drill shall take place between Monday and Friday during normal business hours. The operator may conduct a table-top emergency closure drill to meet this requirement for no more than two out of each three calendar years. The operator shall conduct a site-specific emergency closure drill at a field site at least once every three calendar years.

(g) The operator shall notify Board staff at least five business days prior to performing any emergency closure drill under (e) above. A final audit report of each emergency closure drill shall be submitted to Board staff for review within two months after the emergency closure drill is performed.

(h) If an operator believes that information contained in the valve assessment and emergency closure plan merits confidential treatment pursuant to the Open Public Records Act, 47:1A-1 et seq. (OPRA), any such purportedly confidential information submitted to the Board shall be specifically identified and marked by the operator and submitted to the Board in compliance with the Board's rules at N.J.A.C. 14:1-12.

(i) Each transmission pipeline operator shall designate a representative or representatives in New Jersey who are familiar with the location and operation of all of the transmission valves required by this section. The names and telephone numbers of these representatives shall be furnished to the Board staff as part of the operator's emergency procedures required by 49 CFR 192.615.

(j) The transmission pipeline emergency representatives required under (i) above shall be available for Board staff to contact as needed during an emergency response.

(k) In addition to any other requirements in the Federal Code, each transmission pipeline operator shall furnish the clerk of each municipality through which the pipeline passes with a 24-hour emergency telephone number.

N.J. Admin. Code § 14:7-1.10

The following annotations apply to former N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.10 repealed by R.2009 d.69:
Amended by R.1997 d.128, effective 3/17/1997.
See: 28 N.J.R. 5146(a), 29 N.J.R, 104(b), 29 N.J.R. 903(b).
In (a), substituted "Sectionalizing valves for distribution pipelines" for "Shut-off valves" and added last sentence; deleted (b), relating to certain areas outside of cities and villages; recodified former (c) and (d) as (b) and (c); and in (c), substituted "valves required by this section" for "shut-off valves".
Amended by R.1998 d.146, effective 3/16/1998.
See: 29 N.J.R. 5184(a), 30 N.J.R. 1050(a).
In (c), substituted references to operators for references to companies throughout.
The following annotations apply to N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.10 after its recodification from N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.11 by R.2009 d.69:
Repeal and New Rule, R.1997 d.128, effective 3/17/1997.
See: 28 N.J.R. 5146(a), 29 N.J.R. 104(b), 29 N.J.R. 903(b).
Section was "Automatic valves".
Amended by R.1998 d.146, effective 3/16/1998.
See: 29 N.J.R. 5184(a), 30 N.J.R. 1050(a).
In (b), substituted "Upon" for "Within three months of" at the beginning; and in (c), inserted "by the Board staff" following "review".
Amended by R.2003 d.360, effective 9/15/2003.
See: 35 N.J.R. 1505(a), 35 N.J.R. 4307(b).
In (a), rewrote the introductory paragraph; in (b) and (c), substituted references to Bureau of Pipeline Safety for references to the Board; rewrote (e).
Recodified from N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.11 and amended by R.2009 d.69, effective 3/2/2009.
See: 40 N.J.R. 4915(a), 41 N.J.R. 1083(a).
Section was "Valve assessment and emergency closure". Rewrote the section. Former N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.10, Valve requirements, repealed.

Amended by 55 N.J.R. 1201(a), effective 6/5/2023