Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 108 Part 2.djvu/600

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108 STAT. 1316 PUBLIC LAW 103-272—JULY 5, 1994 damage if there is a hazardous liquid pipeline accident, the Secretary shall consider including— (1) earthquake zones and areas subject to landslides and other substantial ground movements; (2) areas of likely ground water contamination if a hazardous liquid pipeline facility ruptures; (3) freshwater lakes, rivers, and waterways; and (4) river deltas and other areas subject to soil erosion or subsidence from flooding or other water action where a hazardous liquid pipeline facihty is likely to become exposed or undermined. §60110. Excess flow valves (a) APPLICATION. — This section applies only to— (1) a natural gas distribution system installed after the effective date of regulations prescribed under this section; and (2) any other natural gas distribution system when repair to the system requires replacing a part to accommodate installing excess flow valves. Regulations. (b) INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS. —Not later than April 24, 1994, the Secretary of Trsinsportation shall prescribe regulations on the circumstances under which an operator of a natural gas distribution system must install excess flow valves in the system. The Secretary shall consider— (1) the system design pressure; (2) the system operating pressure; (3) the types of customers to which the distribution system supplies gas, including hospitals, schools, and commercial enterprises; (4) the technical feasibility and cost of installing the valve; (5) the public safety benefits of installing the valve; (6) the location of customer meters; and (7) other factors the Secretary considers relevant. Regulations. (c) NOTIFICATION OF AVAILABILITY.—(1) Not later than October 24, 1994, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations 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— (A) the availability of excess flow valves for installation in the system; (B) safety benefits to be derived from installation; and (C) costs associated with installation. (2) The regulations 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. (d) REPORT.—I f 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. (e) PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. —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 Regulations. system. The standards shall be incorporated into regulations the