Agenda Packets - 1987/03/16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DOCKETS UNIT PAGE TWENTY-THREE MARCH 24, 1987 regulated is designing and constructing a safe system if measures aren't taken to certify the skills of the indivi- viduals and organizations involved in pipeline design and construction? How can UPS be sure the pipelines are being properly designed and constructed if they don't review the plans and aren't notified of pending construc- tion? Questions: (a) What safety problems are there in design and construction of pipeline that current federal standards do not cover adequately? Response: How can anyone determine that safety problems do or do not exist in design and construction of pipelines if no exists? The industry or federal standards might be adequate but how does OPS know if an operator is abiding by them if OPS doesn't review the plans and Inspect the construction? (b) These problems involve the abilities of persons who design or construct pipelines, could they be resolved by amending or enlarging the scope of the current j qualification requirements, or is a federal certifi- cation program needed to control the problem? Response: Again, if adequate oversight doesn't exist, how can a determination regarding the existence of a problem and solution to it be made? It is common throughout the nation that engineers and architects are licensed by the states in which they practice. Since interstate pipeline designers cannot be regulated by anyone other than the federal govrnment, it would seem reasonable to require their certification by UPS. (c) Do state or local jurisdictions commonly require review or certification of pipeline design plans by a licensed professional engineer before granting construction permits? Response: Except where superceded by federal law, such as is the case with interstate pipelines, most states and