The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PUC”) has clarified Gas & Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Act for Class 1 Entities.

 

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PUC”) has clarified its Implementation Order as a further step in implementing the Gas & Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Act.  The PUC issued a Tentative Order indicating all pipeline operators in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of Class 1 transmission lines must register these lines with the PUC.  All entities with Class 1 transmission lines that have not previously filed must now file with the PUC by June 22, 2012.  A Class 1 location is considered an off-shore area or any class location unit that has 10 or fewer buildings and is intended for human occupancy.

 

The PUC started the process of implementing Act 127 in February 2012 by creating a statewide registry for non-public utility gas and hazardous liquid pipeline equipment and facilities within the Commonwealth.  Act 127 expands the PUC’s authority to enforce the federal pipeline safety laws as they relate to those pipelines and facilities.  Non-public utility gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators include several different categories of pipeline, such as cooperatively-owned natural gas distribution systems, non utility natural gas transportation and gathering lines and propane distribution pipeline systems.

Forms and other materials are available on the Commission’s website: 
http://www.puc.state.pa.us/naturalgas/PDF/Act127/Tele_Conf_QA-012412.pdf