Reminder For Pennsylvania Pipeline Operators
February 2, 2017
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has issued a reminder to “pipeline operators” to submit their renewals (or initial registrations) with the PUC on or before March 31, 2017.
Each year everyone owning or operating pipelines in Pennsylvania should check on their status as a “pipeline operator” to determine if their actions in the past calendar year (2016), such as adding, removing or transferring pipeline, changed their status under the Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Act, 58 P.S. § 801.101, et seq. (Act 127).
The definition of pipeline operator is broad. A pipeline operator is defined in Act 127 as “a person that owns or operates equipment or facilities in this Commonwealth for the transportation of gas or hazardous liquids by pipeline or pipeline facility regulated under Federal pipeline safety laws.” 58 P.S. § 801.102. But, certain owners and operators (such consumers who own a service line on their real property) are excluded.
Make sure to timely and accurately submit your company’s registration fee ($250) and registration form, if your company falls within that statutory definition (and no exclusions are applicable). Failure to do so could result in enforcement proceedings by the Commission’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement and civil penalties.
If your company registered in the past but is no longer required to register under Act 127, you should inform the PUC. This could avoid an enforcement action for failure to register. But, keep in mind that your determination that you are not required to register under Act 127 is subject to review by the PUC.
More details on filing a renewal (or initial) registration can be found in the PUC’s Implementation Order and the Secretarial Letter dated February 27, 2017 (at PUC Docket No. M-2012-2282031), which are both available at this link: https://www.puc.pa.gov/about_puc/consolidated_case_view.aspx?Docket=M-2012-2282031
This Eckert Seamans Energy and Utilities Blog is intended to keep readers current on matters affecting businesses and is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Carl Shultz at (717) 255-3742 – cshultz@eckertseamans.com – or Dan Clearfield at (717) 237-7173 – dclearfield@eckertseamans.com.
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