The Department of Transportation (DOT) said it was “considering granting” Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) a waiver of federal regulations that would permit it to continue to operate its pipeline at its established maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) even though two sections of its system now run through high-population density areas.

In a notice published in the Federal Register in late November, DOT’s Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), which oversees the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), indicated that it was leaning towards a favorable decision for PNGTS, which sought the waiver in March when it realized that construction activity in 2002 placed two small sections of its pipe in West Stewartstown, NH, in high-population density areas.

The DOT is seeking comments from the public before making a final decision in the case [Docket No. RSPA-03-15733].

The RSPA cited several factors that would justify a waiver in PNGTS’ case: 1) only a small portion of the pipe’s system (595 feet) runs through high-population density areas; 2) the pipeline still is new (it began operating in 1999) and is in good condition; and 3) the pipeline has agreed to undertake more rigorous testing and inspections in exchange for a waiver.

Without the waiver, PNGTS would be forced to either lower its MAOP, which would reduce Canadian natural gas deliveries to the New England region, or dig up portions of the line and replace it with higher strength pipe. The 143-mile PNGTS system connects TransQuebec and Maritimes Pipeline at the Canadian border and the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline at Westbrook, ME, with El Paso Corp.’s Tennessee Gas Pipeline near Boston, MA. The established MAOP on PNGTS is 1,440 psig.

In return for an exemption, PNGTS has pledged to perform a number of risk-control activities that it says will provide a “comparable margin of safety” to reducing its MAOP:

Public comments are due at DOT by Dec. 26. The comments, which must include the docket number, can be submitted electronically at https://dms.dot.gov.

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