The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Thursday voted unanimously to issue for comment a tentative order to implement the Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Act (Act 127), which was signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett late last year.

In a joint statement PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson and Commissioner Pamela A. Witmer said the PUC’s “new responsibilities under this act are critical to ensuring that the pipeline infrastructure, which is so important to realizing the full potential of the Commonwealth’s natural gas resources, is developed and operated safely.”

Act 127 directed the PUC to develop a registry and conduct safety inspections for all “pipeline operators” in the state. The commission also is required to track pipeline development in less populated areas where gas is transported from unconventional oil and gas wells. The tentative order contains information on registration forms and fees; registration deadlines; and assessment calculations and schedules.

Several tragic natural gas pipeline explosions in the United States over the past two years have led to heightened scrutiny of the nation’s gas line infrastructure. Five people were killed and dozens of businesses and homes were damaged early last year in Allentown, PA, after an underground gas line owned by UGI Corp. exploded (see Daily GPI, Feb. 11, 2011).

PUC’s tentative order creates a statewide registry for nonpublic utility gas and hazardous liquids pipeline equipment and facilities (Docket No. M-2012-2282031). Nonpublic utility gas and hazardous liquids pipeline operators include several different categories of pipelines, such as cooperatively owned natural gas distribution systems, nonutility natural gas transportation and gathering lines, and propane distribution pipeline systems.

Under the tentative order safety inspections would be required for certain pipeline classifications to enforce federal pipeline safety laws, and the order allows costs to be assessed to entities covered.

Interested parties were given 20 days from the entry of the tentative order on Thursday to comment on the proposed changes.

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