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Save Passamaquoddy Bay
3-Nation Alliance

Alliance to Protect the Quoddy Region
from LNG Development

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"For much of the state of Maine, the environment is the economy"
                                           — US Senator Susan Collins, 2012 Jun 21



 

US Department of Transportation
(USDOT)

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA)


PHMSA's Responsibilities
PHMSA website
Pipeline Regulations (PR)
Pipeline Interpretations (PI)
PI-09-0001 — Calais LNG
PI-10-0005 — Downeast LNG
Advisory Bulletins
Notices
Standards & Rulemaking
Special Permits and State Waivers
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)
MOUs Between DOT & FERC
PHMSA Dockets— Dockets are located at Regulations.gov
Filing Comments to a Docket
Creating a New Docket — PHMSA "shell" docket page
PHMSA Shell Docket
Save Passamaquoddy Bay Filings
Alternative Vapor-Gas Dispersion Models — Obtaining Approval
PHMSA-2011-0075 — use of PHAST, ODEPACK consequence model
Includes letters advocating rushing DOT public hearing re vapor dispersion at terminals from:
Sen. Olympia Snoweplus, lobbying for Downeast LNG
Sen. Susan Collins                  "
• Sen. John D. Rockefeller & Sen
• Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
• Bill Cooper, Center for LNG (CLNG) — opposes DOT public hearing on vapor dispersion models
PHMSA-2011-0101 — use of DEGADIS, FLACS vapor dispersion model
1993 DOT-FERC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) re LNG & Natural Gas facilities
PHMSA-2011-01592009–2011 FERC violation of DOT-FERC MOU

"PHMSA" is an initialism, but is treated by the industry as an acronym, using this non-obvious pronunciation:   fihm-suh

While "DOT" obviously could be an acronym, it is always pronounced as an initialism: dee-oh-tee


PHMSA's Responsibilities

Among other things, PHMSA is responsible for regulating…

  • LNG terminal Vapor Dispersion Exclusion Zones
  • LNG terminal Thermal Radiation Exclusion Zones
  • Natural gas pipelines
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PHMSA's website

The website ( http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/ ) is a subdomain within the US DOT's website.

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Pipeline Regulations

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/regs

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Pipeline Interpretations with search function

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/regs/interps

  • PI09-0001 — Calais LNG

PHMSA Interpretation #09-0001
Jul 14, 2009
PHMSA Response Letter
To: Legal counsel to Calais LNG
Summary: PHMSA considers the City of Calais to be a government agency under the definition of "exclusion zone" within § 193.2007.

PHMSA finds the City of Calais may control activities on the Devil' sHead property in accordance with § 193.2057, but we recognize that the City's authority to legally control all activities on the land is ultimately a matter of State law. Calais LNG is responsible for ensuring compliance with the thermal exclusion zone requirements for its LNG facility and the company is not alleviated from those obligations by virtue of the fact that the City of Calais, and not the operator, controls the activities of Devil's Head. Were certain facts to change in the future, such as a change in ownership of Devil's Head or to usage of the land, Calais LNG would still be responsible for ensuring its facility remains in compliance with 49 CFR Part 193.


  • PI10-0005 — Downeast LNG

PHMSA Interpretation #PI-10-0005
2010 Jul 16
PHMSA Response Letter
To: Legal counsel to Downeast LNG

Summary: Downeast LNG may use the DLNG Source Tenn Model to calculate the vapor-gas exclusion zone for the sumps at the Robbinston LNG Import Terminal. The Company must also examine the effects of jetting and flashing in calculating the vapor-gas dispersion exclusion zone for any appropriate LNG facilities, including pressurized piping or equipment, to comply with the Siting Requirements in Subpart B of 49 C.F.R. Part 193.

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Advisory Bulletins

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/regs/advisory-bulletin

ADB-06-04
2006 Dec 28
Pipeline Safety: Lessons Learned From a Security Breach at a Liquefied Natural Gas Facility

SUMMARY: This advisory reminds operators of the need for vigilance in providing security at liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. PHMSA's pipeline safety regulations require operators to implement security measures that deter intruders at LNG terminals, facilities, and peak-shaving plants. This Advisory Bulletin reinforces the importance of effectively implementing and thoroughly testing security procedures and systems.


ADB-10-07
Sep 24, 2010
PHMSA-2010-0226
Title: Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities: Obtaining Approval of Alternative Vapor-Gas Dispersion Models

Summary: This Advisory Bulletin provides guidance on the requirements for obtaining approval of alternative vapor-gas dispersion models under Subpart B of 49 CFR Part 193.

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Notices

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/regs/notices

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Standards & Rulemaking

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/regs

Information on pipeline safety standards, PHMSA rulemakings, special permits, advisory bulletins, state waivers, notices, and interpretations of pipeline safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49 Parts 190 to 199.

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Special Permits and State Waivers

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/regs/special-permits

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Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)

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PHMSA Dockets

> All dockets are located at Regulations.gov <

Filing Comments to a Docket

To submit a comment to a docket, go to any filing in that docket and click the "Submit a Comment" button. (If no Submit a Comment button exists, try a different filing in that docket.)

Although the resulting submission form indicates you are filing a comment a particular filing number, in actuality, your comment will be appended to the end of the docket, with a new filing number. Be sure to include in your comment the number of the filing you are commenting on.

Creating a New Docket

  • PHMSA Shell Docket — PHMSA-2007-0001
Date Filed
& Date Posted
Docket File Number
Filing Party
& Description
PHMSA-2007-0001 PHMSA Shell Docket
  • Downeast LNG-related Dockets
Date Filed
& Date Posted
Docket File Number
Filing Party
& Description
Filed 2014 Apr 18
Posted 2014 Apr 23

PHMSA-2007-0001-0012
On 2014 Apr 30 this filing was
moved to PHMSA-2014-0048
(See next entry, below.)

Save Passamaquoddy Bay — Petition
(Moved to next entry, below.)
Filed 2014 Apr 18
Posted
2014 Apr 30
PHMSA-2014-0048-0001 Save Passamaquoddy Bay — Petition
Motion to rescind Downeast LNG's design release results approval. Vapor fences have not been validated by critical scientific analysis. Also, PHMSA failed to consider concurrent vapor fence failure with adjacent LNG piping along the 4,000-foot trestle to the proposed pier that would result in LNG vapor extending over private property that can be built upon outside the terminal — a violation of USDOT LNG terminal Exclusion Zone regulations.
Filed 2014 Apr 22
Posted
2014 Apr 30
PHMSA-2014-0048-0002
01 -Motion-Thermal-Radiation
02-Venart Tanktop Fire
03-LNG Tank Top Fires DOT
Save Passamaquoddy Bay — Petition
Motion to negate PHMSA approval of Downeast LNG's thermal radiation Exclusion Zone, due to oversights and flaws in Downeast LNG's modeling, as demonstrated by Dr. James Venart.
Filed 2014 Apr 25
Posted 2014 XXX XX
[As of 2014 May 9 —
Not yet posted to the docket]

[As of 2014 May 9 —
Not yet posted to the docket]

Save Passamaquoddy Bay — Comment
Webmaster's comment: Recent LNG and natural gas facility explosions at Williams Company's LNG peakshaving plant in Plymouth, Washington, and pumping station in Wyoming, demonstrate that black swan events occur at LNG and natural gas facilities.

 

  • Alternative Vapor-Gas Dispersion Models— Obtaining Approval
    • PHMSA-2011-0075 — use of PHAST, ODEPACK consequence model [gas vapor dispersion Hazard Zone]
    • Color Key to Filings

      Grey = LNG Project Neutral
      Gold = Anti-LNG Project in Passamaquoddy Bay
      Brown = Pro-LNG

      PHMSA-2011-0075 — use of PHAST, ODEPACK consequence model [gas vapor dispersion Hazard Zone]

      Date
      Posted
      Docket File Number
      Filing Party
      2011 Apr 07 PHMSA-2011-0075-0001 Det Norske Veritas
      Summary: Request for interpretation.
        PHMSA-2011-0075-0002 Center for Applied Computing, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories
      Summary: A discussion of computer program: ODEPACK - A Systematized Collection of ODE Solvers.
        PHMSA-2011-0075-0003 Det Norske Veritas
      Summary: Documentation for proposed PHAST modeling.
      2011 Apr 25 PHMSA-2011-0075-0004 USDOT/PHMSA
      Summary: List of 2011 Feb 25 conference call participants.
        PHMSA-2011-0075-0005 USDOT/PHMSA
      Summary: List of 2011 Mar 9 conference call participants.
      2011 Apr 29 PHMSA-2011-0075-0006 USDOT/PHMSA
      Summary: Requests additional information from Det Norske Veritas on PHAST model.
        PHMSA-2011-0075-0007 Det Norske Veritas
      Summary: Responses to PHMSA's request for more information.
      2011 May 24 PHMSA-2011-0075-0008 Det Norske Veritas
      Summary: Updated submission to PHAST-UDM vapor dispersion model.
        PHMSA-2011-0075-0009

      Senators Olympia Snowe, John D. Rockefeller, Kay Bailey Hutchison
      Summary: Senators Snowe, Rockefeller & Hutchison ask for a rushed public hearing on vapor dispersion modeling/LNG terminal Exclusion Zones, advocating that new LNG import terminals are needed.
      Webmaster’s Comments: All evidence from the Energy Information Administration, from FERC, and from the natural gas industry indicates there is a domestic natural gas glut and massive overbuild of LNG import infrastructure. New LNG import terminals are unneeded.

        PHMSA-2011-0075-0010

      USDOT/PHMSA
      Summary: Response to Sen. Snowe in PHMSA-2011-0101-0009, indicating the only two pending petitions for approving two new vapor dispersion models (PHAST-UDM and FLACS) are from Det Norske Veritas and from GexCon US.

        PHMSA-2011-0075-0011

      Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. Olympia Snowe
      Summary: Senators Collins & Snowe ask for a rushed public hearing on vapor dispersion modeling/LNG terminal Exclusion Zones, especially since some LNG terminal applicants have been in the permitting process for several years.

        PHMSA-2011-0075-0012

      USDOT/PHMSA
      Summary: Response to Sen. Collins re PHMSA-2011-0101-0011, indicating only two petitions are pending for approving new vapor dispersion models (PHAST-UDM and FLACS), and the petitioners are Det Norske Veritas and GexCon US.

      PHMSA-2011-0075-0013 Center for Liquefied Natural Gas [CLNG]
      Summary: CLNG opposes a public hearing on vapor dispersion modeling/LNG terminal Exclusion Zones.
      2011 Jun 02 PHMSA-2011-0075-0014 Members of Congress (8)
      Summary:
      Letter opposing Weaver's Cove Energy's LNG transfer system in Mount Hope Bay and Fall River, Massachusetts.
        PHMSA-2011-0075-0015

      USDOT/PHMSA
      Summary: Letter in response to 8 Members of Congress' letter.

        PHMSA-2011-0075-0016 Ronald S. Rosenfeld, M.D.
      Summary:
      Commends PHMSA for including public comments in the vapor dispersion Hazard Zone modeling decision making.
      2011 Jun 16 PHMSA-2011-0075-0017 Save Passamaquoddy Bay
      Summary:
      Opposing US Senators and Center for Liquefied Natural Gas wanting to either expedite LNG import terminal permitting, or to prevent public comment on LNG terminal vapor dispersion models.
        PHMSA-2011-0075-0018 Save Passamaquoddy Bay
      Summary:
      Requesting a regulation interpretation regarding Downeast LNG's terminal Exclusion Zone extending over highway US-1.
        PHMSA-2011-0075-0019 [Removed]
      2011 Jun 21 PHMSA-2011-0075-0020 Det Norske Veritas
      Summary: Technical response re vapor dispersion modeling.
      2011 Jul 01 PHMSA-2011-0075-0021 USDOT/PHMSA
      Summary: PHMSA rejects the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas request to disallow public comment and a public hearing. (The public will continue to be allowed to submit comments, and there may be a public hearing.)
      2011 Jul 13 PHMSA-2011-0075-0022 USDOT/PHMSA
      Summary: PHMSA issues its draft decision on the Det Norske Vertias alternative model for gas vapor dispersion modeling, indicating it will likely approve the model, with several conditions. Public comments are invited.
      2011 Jul 18 PHMSA-2011-0075-0023 Federal Register
      Summary: Federal Register Volume 76, Number 137 (Monday, July 18, 2011) has published PHMSA's draft decision on the Det Norske Veritas petition for approval of its Process Hazard Analysis Software Tool--Unified Dispersion Model.
       
      The comment deadline is August 11, 2011. Late comments may be considered, where possible.
      2011 Aug 11 PHMSA-2011-0075-0024 Det Norske Veritas
      Summary: Comments on PHMSA's Draft Decision.
      2011 Oct 11 PHMSA-2011-0075-0025 USDOT/PHMSA — FINAL DECISION approving the alternative model.

     

    • PHMSA-2011-0101 — use of DEGADIS, FLACS vapor dispersion model [gas vapor dispersion Hazard Zone]

      Color Key to Filings

      Grey = LNG Project Neutral
      Gold = Anti-LNG Project in Passamaquoddy Bay
      Brown = Pro-LNG

      PHMSA-2011-0101 — use of DEGADIS, FLACS vapor dispersion model [gas vapor dispersion Hazard Zone]

      Date
      Posted
      Docket File Number
      Filing Party
      2011 Apr 20 PHMSA-2011-0101-0001 GexCon
      Summary: Sensitivity analysis inputs for DEGADIS.
        PHMSA-2011-0101-0002

      GexCon
      Summary:
      Supporting documentation.

      2011 Apr 25 PHMSA-2011-0101-0003 USDOT/PHMSA
      Summary:
      Request for more information.
      2011 Apr 28 PHMSA-2011-0101-0004 GexCon
      Summary:
      Petition.
      2011 Apr 29 PHMSA-2011-0101-0005 GexCon
      Summary:
      Model evaluation report on FLACS.
        PHMSA-2011-0101-0006 GexCon
      Summary:
      Additional information.
        PHMSA-2011-0101-0007 GexCon
      Summary:
      Model evaluation report on FLACS.
      2011 Jun 02 PHMSA-2011-0101-0008

      Members of Congress: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. John F. Kerry, Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Scott P. Brown, Rep. James R. Langevin, Rep. Barney Frank, Rep. David Cicilline, Rep. James P. McGovern
      Summary: Letter regarding Weaver's Cove Energy in Mount Hope Bay and Weaver's Cove on the Taunton River, MA, and LNG transit route in Rhode Island waters, requesting a public hearing re the hazard zones associated with this project and the unprecedented 4.25-mile undersea cryogenic LNG pipeline.
      Webmaster’s Comments: On Jun 13, Weaver's Cove Energy withdrew its federal permit applications, citing lack of need for the project. The Weaver's Cove Energy LNG import terminal project is now dead.

      2011 Jun 17 PHMSA-2011-0101-0009 GexCon
      Summary: Petition for approval of FLACS as alternate model for LNG vapor dispersion. Information in addition to the cover letter is filed as Privileged & Confidential; thus, it is unavailable to the public.
      2011 Jun 21 PHMSA-2011-0101-0010 US DOT/PHMSA
      Summary: Response to Center for LNG (who had objected to allowing public comment), indicating that public comment will be considered "in a manner that is both expeditious and consistent with public safety."
      2011 Jun 23 PHMSA-2011-0101-0011 US DOT/PHMSA
      Summary: Enumerates 19 additional requirements GexCon must supply in order for PHMSA to determine if FLACS is a suitable alternative vapor dispersion model.
      2011 Aug 15 PHMSA-2011-0101-0012 US DOT/PHMSA
      Summary: Draft Decision Letter. FLACS may be more suitable for use than the currently approved vapor gas dispersion models in certain situations. PHMSA is prepared to approve GexCon's Petition to use FLACS as an alternative vapor gas model where suitable and with certain limitations.

      The public has 30 days to comment on whether either of the alternatives discussed in the Draft Decision Letter would have a significant impact on the human environment..
      2011 Aug 17 PHMSA-2011-0101-0013 US DOT/PHMSA
      Summary: This notice advises owners and operators of liquefied natural gas facilities and other interested parties that the Administrator has issued a Draft Decision on GexCon US, Inc.'s petition for approval of Flame Acceleration Simulator (FLACS).
      2011 Sep 01 PHMSA-2011-0101-0014

      US DOT/PHMSA
      Summary:
      This notice advises owners and operators of liquefied natural gas facilities and other interested parties that the Administrator has issued a Draft Decision on GexCon US, Inc.'s petition for approval of Flame Acceleration Simulator (FLACS). The Draft Decision is available for public inspection at Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0101 at http://www.regulations.gov

      .[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 170 (Thursday, September 1, 2011)]
      [Notices]
      [Pages 54533-54534]
      From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
      [FR Doc No: 2011-22348]

      2011 Sep 08 PHMSA-2011-0101-0015 GexCon
      Summary: GexCon provides numerous comments on PHMSA's Draft Decision regarding the FLACS model of vapor-gas dispersion.
      2011 Sep 26 PHMSA-2011-0101-0016

      Hess LNG, Ltd.
      Summary: Hess welcomes PHMSA's draft approval of the FLACS model, but indicates that it is unclear if PHMSA approves the FLACS source-term sub-model, or if the JET and FLASH utilities are suitable for use with the FLACS Dispersion Model; and, Hess urges PHMSA to explicitly accept the source-term sub-model and JET and FLASH utilities.

      "We believe that the review of the FLACS source term, conducted by PHMSA in preparing this draft approval, is at least as thorough as the review completed by PHMSA in accepting Downeast LNG's source model (Fullbright & Jawarski, PI 10-0005) and the review used to reject the continued use of the SOURCES model (Keppel & Miozza July 7, 2010)."

      2011 Oct 11 PHMSA-2011-0101-0017 PHMSA — FINAL DECISION approving the alternative model.

    • 1993 DOT-FERC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) re LNG & Natural Gas facilities
      • PHMSA-2011-0159FERC violation of 1993 DOT-FERC MOU

Color Key to Filings

Grey = LNG Project Neutral
Gold = Anti-LNG Project in Passamaquoddy Bay
Brown = Pro-LNG

PHMSA-2011-0159FERC violation of 1993 DOT-FERC MOU

Date
Posted
Docket File Number
Filing Party
2011 Jun 20 PHMSA-2011-0159-0001

Save Passamaquoddy Bay
Summary:
FERC violated the terms of the 1993 DOT-FERC Memorandum of Understanding. FERC has failed since 2009 to notify the DOT of a Thermal Radiation Public Hazard re LNG and natural gas facilities that were identified in two FERC docket filings.

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