Blogs

On January 15, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published revised Operator Qualification (OQ) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for public comment. PHMSA states that the “proposed revisions will provide greater clarity regarding PHMSA’s operator qualification regulations. The revised FAQs would replace current FAQs that are outdated or no longer relevant and will ensure that each FAQ is tied to a specific regulatory requirement.”

The proposed new FAQs have been posted to the APGA Community, along with a redlined version of the existing FAQs so that the changes can be reviewed. It appears the proposed changes fall into three categories: revision of language to reflect FAQs for the regulation instead of the OQ rulemaking; removal of FAQs that dealt explicitly with launching an OQ program or development of an OQ plan; and other substantive changes that may warrant comment. It is that third category that APGA will be focusing on in the comments to PHMSA.

APGA will be filing comments jointly with the other industry trade associations. Comments are due to PHMSA by February 16. Please send any feedback, concern or comments to Erin Kurilla, APGA Vice President of Operations and Safety, by January 29. The Operations & Safety Committee will discuss the changes during their January meeting on January 28.

View the FAQ at https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/operator-qualifications/oq-frequently-asked-questions. 

For questions on this article, please contact Erin Kurilla of APGA staff by phone at 202-544-1334 or by email at ekurilla@apga.org.