WSR 06-15-124

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION

COMMISSION

[ Filed July 19, 2006, 9:21 a.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: This rule making would consider possible corrections and clarifications to selected sections of chapter 480-93 WAC, Gas companies -- Safety, specifically rules governing natural gas pipeline operators, WAC 480-93-005, 480-93-013, 480-93-015, 480-93-017, 480-93-018, 480-93-100, 480-93-124, 480-93-170, 480-93-180, 480-93-188, and 480-93-200 and the potential for new rule(s). The rule making has been assigned Docket PG-061027.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040(4), 80.04.160, and 80.28.210.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Since the commission adopted rules in chapter 480-93 WAC, Gas companies -- Safety, effective June 2, 2005, and December 24, 2005, stakeholders and agency staff have identified a variety of issues that suggest the commission should review certain rules relating to gas pipeline operations in chapter 480-93 WAC. This rule making would consider possible corrections, changes, and clarifications to WAC 480-93-005, 480-93-013, 480-93-015, 480-93-017, 480-93-018, 480-93-100, 480-93-124, 480-93-170, 480-93-180, 480-93-188, and 480-93-200 and the potential addition for new rule(s).

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Federal Department of Transportation - Office of Pipeline Safety and the Washington state department of ecology. The commission will invite these agencies to participate actively in the rule making.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial comments, and will provide the opportunity for additional comments.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by filing comments with the Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA, 98504-7250, phone (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150, by Monday, August 21, 2006.

     WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments may be submitted to the commission at the address given above and should be filed with the commission no later than August 21, 2006.

     Electronic copies. The commission requests that comments be provided in electronic format to enhance public access, for ease of providing comments, to reduce the need for paper copies, and to facilitate quotations from the comments. Comments may be submitted by electronic mail to the commission's records center at records@wutc.wa.gov. Please include:

     • The docket number of this proceeding (PG-061027).

     • The commenting party's name.

     • The title and date of the comment or comments.

     An alternative method for submitting comments may be by mailing/delivering an electronic copy on a 3 1/2 inch, IBM-formatted, high-density disk, in .pdf Adobe Acrobat format or in Word 97 or later. Include all of the information requested above. The commission will post on the commission's web site all comments that are provided in electronic format. The web site is located at http://www.wutc.wa.gov/061027. If you are unable to file your comments electronically or to submit them on a disk, the commission will always accept a paper document.

     Opportunity for further comment is anticipated. Information about the schedule and other aspects of the rule making, including comments, will be posted on the commission's web site as it becomes available. If you wish to receive further information on this rule making you may (1) call the commission's records center at (360) 664-1234, (2) e-mail the commission at <records@wutc.wa.gov>, or (3) mail written comments to the address above to the attention of Carole J. Washburn, Secretary. When contacting the commission, please refer to Docket PG-061027 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Ilyne Lawson, (360) 664-1302 or e-mail at ilawson@wutc.wa.gov.


NOTICE


     TO CONTINUE RECEIVING NOTICES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RULE MAKING -- The commission wants to ensure its mailings are sent to persons who are interested in the topic and want to receive that information. ANY PERSON WHO COMMENTS will continue to receive notices and information. If you do not submit comments but wish to remain on the mailing list for this rule making, please advise the records center by any one of the following methods: (1) Send a note with your name, address (or a copy of your mailing label), and telephone and fax numbers referencing Docket PG-061027, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list"; or (2) e-mail your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, referencing Docket PG-061027, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list" to <records@wutc.wa.gov>. Please note that all information in the mailings will be accessible through the commission's internet web site at http://www.wutc.wa.gov/061027. THOSE PARTIES WHO DO NOT RESPOND MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER MAILINGS OR INFORMATION ON THE RULE MAKING.

July 19, 2006

David W. Danner

for Carole J. Washburn

Executive Secretary

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office