49 U.S.C. § 60110 — Excess flow valves
submitted 32 years ago by Pub. L. 103-272 to r/title-49-TRANSPORTATION · 415 words · no verdicts yet
This section covers new natural gas distribution systems and older ones being repaired. The Secretary sets rules on when operators must install excess flow valves and tell customers about them. If no installation is ever required, the Secretary must explain why to Congress.
(a) Application. This section applies only to: (1) a natural gas distribution system built after the rules under this section take effect; and (2) any other distribution system, but only when a repair requires replacing a part in a way that lets excess flow valves be installed.
(b) Installation Requirements and Considerations. By April 24, 1994, the Secretary of Transportation had to set standards on when, if ever, an operator must install excess flow valves. The Secretary had to weigh: (1) the system's design pressure; (2) its operating pressure; (3) the types of customers served, including hospitals, schools, and businesses; (4) how technically feasible and costly installing, running, and maintaining the valve would be; (5) the public-safety benefit of installing it; (6) where customer meters are located; and (7) any other relevant factor.
(c) Notification of Availability. (1) By October 24, 1994, the Secretary had to require operators to tell, in writing, any customer whose line doesn't legally require a valve but could still get one under the performance standards in (e): (A) that valves are available for their line; (B) the safety benefits of installing one; and (C) the costs of installing, maintaining, and replacing one. (2) Except where installation is legally required under (b), the standards must say that a valve gets installed at a customer's request, if the customer pays all the installation costs.
(d) Report. If the Secretary decides under (b) that there's no situation requiring installation, the Secretary must send Congress a report explaining why, within 30 days of that decision.
(e) Performance Standards. By April 24, 1994, the Secretary had to set performance standards for excess flow valves used on distribution system lines. The Secretary could adopt existing industry standards to meet this requirement. These standards become part of the regulations under this section, and every excess flow valve must be installed according to them.
This section applies only to—
a natural gas distribution system installed after the effective date of regulations prescribed under this section; and
any other natural gas distribution system when repair to the system requires replacing a part to accommodate installing excess flow valves.
Not later than April 24, 1994, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe standards on the circumstances, if any, under which an operator of a natural gas distribution system must install excess flow valves in the system. The Secretary shall consider—
the system design pressure;
the system operating pressure;
the types of customers to which the distribution system supplies gas, including hospitals, schools, and commercial enterprises;
the technical feasibility and cost of installing, operating, and maintaining the valve;
the public safety benefits of installing the valve;
the location of customer meters; and
other factors the Secretary considers relevant.
Not later than October 24, 1994, the Secretary shall prescribe standards requiring an operator of a natural gas distribution system to notify in writing its customers having lines in which excess flow valves are not required by law but can be installed according to the standards prescribed under subsection (e) of this section, of—
the availability of excess flow valves for installation in the system;
safety benefits to be derived from installation; and
costs associated with installation, maintenance, and replacement.
The standards shall provide that, except when installation is required under subsection (b) of this section, excess flow valves shall be installed at the request of the customer if the customer will pay all costs associated with installation.
If the Secretary decides under subsection (b) of this section that there are no circumstances under which an operator must install excess flow valves, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the reasons for the decision not later than 30 days after the decision is made.
Not later than April 24, 1994, the Secretary shall develop standards for the performance of excess flow valves used to protect lines in a natural gas distribution system. The Secretary may adopt industry accepted performance standards in order to comply with the requirement under the preceding sentence. The standards shall be incorporated into regulations the Secretary prescribes under this section. All excess flow valves shall be installed according to the standards.
Source credit: (Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1316; Pub. L. 104–304, §§ 8, 20(j), Oct. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 3800, 3805; Pub. L. 107–355, § 21(1), Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat. 3010.)
- 1994Enacted · Pub. L. 103-272 · 108 Stat. 1316
- 1996Amended · Pub. L. 104-304 · 110 Stat. 3800, 3805
- 2002Amended · Pub. L. 107-355 · 116 Stat. 3010
A history note hasn’t been published yet. The record shows enactment by Pub. L. 103-272 on 1994-07-05.
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