Information Collection; Request for Comment

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Rearch and Special Programs Administration

[Docket: RSPA-98-4957: Notice 4]

Information Collection; Request for Comment

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments and OMB approval.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, RSPA

published a notice in the Federal Register to announce the Research and

Special Programs Administration's request to renew an information

collection in support of the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) for

Customer Owned Service Lines. RSPA's information collection concerns a

pipeline safety regulation that requires gas service line operators who

do not maintain certain customer piping to notify the customers of the

need to maintain the piping. One comment was received. This comment was

with regard to a definition of service lines. The operator of this

particular line is not subject to this regulation. This notice gives

the public an additional 30 day comment period.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 1, 1999, to be

assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Copies of this information collection can be reviewed at the

Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Plaza 401, 400

Seventh St., SW, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marvin Fell, Office of Pipeline

Safety, Research and Special Programs Administration, Department of

Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Customer-Owned Service Lines.

OMB Number: 2137-0594.

Type of Request: Existing information collection.

Abstract: RSPA regulation (49 CFR 192.16) requires operators of gas

service lines who do not maintain buried customer piping up to building

walls or certain other locations to notify their customers of the need

to maintain that piping. Congress directed DOT to take this action in

view of service line accidents. By advising customers of the need to

maintain their buried gas piping, the notices may reduce the risk of

further accidents.

In addition, each operator must make the following records

available for inspection by RSPA or a State agency participating under

49 U.S.C. 60105 or 60106: (1) A copy of the notice currently in use;

and (2) evidence that notices have been sent to customers within the

previous 3 years.

Estimate of Burden: Minimal.

Respondents: Gas transmission and distribution operators.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,590.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 350.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 9,137 hours.

Comments are invited on: (a) The need for the proposed collection

of information for the proper performance of the functions of the

agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed

collection of information including the validity of the methodology and

assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity

of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden

of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including

the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other

technological collection techniques.

Send comments to Office of Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management

and Budget, 726 Jackson Place, NW, Washington, DC 20503, ATTN: Desk

Officer for the Department of Transportation.

A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB

receives it within 30 days of publication.

Issued in Washington, DC on May 26, 1999.

Jeffrey D. Wiese,

Program Development Manager, Office of Pipeline Safety.

[FR Doc. 99-13817 Filed 5-28-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-60-P