PRINTER'S NO. 1309
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
931
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN, COSTA, RAFFERTY, FOLMER AND MENSCH,
NOVEMBER 1, 2017
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
NOVEMBER 1, 2017
AN ACT
Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in service and facilities, providing
for pipeline safety valves.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 15 of Title 66 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subchapter to read:
SUBCHAPTER C
PIPELINE SAFETY VALVES
Sec.
1541. Definitions.
1542. Automatic or remote controlled shutoff valves for gas
transmission pipelines.
1543. Automatic or remote controlled shutoff valves for
hazardous liquids transmission pipelines.
1544. Penalties.
§ 1541. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter
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shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Gas." As defined in 49 CFR 192.3 (relating to definitions).
"Gas high consequence area." A "high consequence area" as
defined in 49 CFR 192.903 (relating to what definitions apply to
this subpart?).
"Hazardous liquid." As defined in 49 CFR 195.2 (relating to
definitions).
"Hazardous liquid high consequence area." Any of the
following:
(1) A commercially navigable waterway where a
substantial likelihood of commercial navigation exists.
(2) A high population area defined and delineated by the
United States Census Bureau, as containing 50,000 or more
people and has a population density of at least 1,000 people
per square mile.
(3) An other populated area defined and delineated by
the United States Census Bureau, as containing a concentrated
population, including, but not limited to, an incorporated or
unincorporated city, town, village or other designated
residential or commercial area.
(4) An unusually sensitive area as defined in 49 CFR
195.6 (relating to Unusually Sensitive Areas (USAs)),
including a Class 1b aquifer, a lithology of which includes
limestone, dolomite and locally evaporitic units that contain
documented karst features or solution channels regardless of
size.
"Shutoff valve." A mechanical device used to control the
flow of gas or liquid that may be used solely for fully open or
closed applications, to control the direction of flow or to
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throttle flow or regulate pressure. The term includes a plug
valve, ball valve, globe valve and gate valve.
"Transmission." The transportation, other than gathering, of
gas through a transmission line as that term is defined in 49
CFR 192.3 (relating to definitions) or of hazardous liquids
through a pipeline as that term is defined in 49 CFR 195.2
(relating to definitions).
§ 1542. Automatic or remote controlled shutoff valves for gas
transmission pipelines.
(a) General rule.--All facilities of a public utility
engaged in the transmission of gas placed into service after the
effective date of this section shall have automatic or remote
controlled shutoff valves installed as provided in this section.
(b) Installation.--In addition to any other valves installed
by the public utility, the public utility shall install at least
one automatic or remote controlled shutoff valve at each of the
following locations and at such other locations as the
commission may direct by regulation:
(1) within 100 feet of each municipal boundary crossed
by the facility; and
(2) within 100 feet of the facility's entry and exit of
a gas high consequence area.
(c) Testing frequency.--The public utility shall test each
automatic and remote controlled shutoff valve on an annual
basis. Records of the testing shall be provided annually to each
municipality in which the automatic or remote controlled shutoff
valve is tested.
(d) Replacement.--If an automatic or remote controlled
shutoff valve does not operate properly when tested, the public
utility shall:
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(1) repair or replace the valve within 72 hours; or
(2) if the valve cannot be repaired or replaced within
72 hours, place the facility out of service until the valve
is repaired or replaced.
§ 1543. Automatic or remote controlled shutoff valves for
hazardous liquids transmission pipelines.
(a) General rule.--All facilities of a public utility
engaged in the transmission of hazardous liquids placed into
service after the effective date of this section shall have
automatic or remote controlled shutoff valves installed as
provided in this section.
(b) Installation.--In addition to any other valves installed
by the public utility, the public utility shall install at least
one automatic or remote controlled shutoff valve at each of the
following locations and at such other locations as the
commission may direct by regulation:
(1) within 100 feet of each municipal boundary crossed
by the facility; and
(2) within 100 feet of the facility's entry and exit of
a hazardous liquid high consequence area.
(c) Testing frequency.--The public utility shall test each
automatic and remote controlled shutoff valve on an annual
basis. Records of the testing shall be provided annually to each
municipality in which the automatic or remote controlled shutoff
valve is tested.
(d) Replacement.--If an automatic or remote controlled
shutoff valve does not operate properly when tested, the public
utility shall:
(1) repair or replace the valve within 72 hours; or
(2) if the valve cannot be repaired or replaced within
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72 hours, place the facility out of service until the valve
is repaired or replaced.
§ 1544. Penalties.
The commission may, after notice and opportunity to be heard,
impose civil penalties under section 3301 (relating to civil
penalties for violations) and other appropriate remedies for
violations of this subchapter and the regulations and orders of
the commission.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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