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Pipeline Safety Waiver Issued for Brooklyn Union Gas Company Pipeline

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The New York State Department of Public Service has granted a waiver to The Brooklyn Union Gas Company, allowing them to complete a required seven-year integrity assessment by no later than June 30, 2021, for a pipeline running through New York Harbor near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York City. The waiver was issued due to the unavailability of specific inline inspection tools, to maintain gas supply, and to address workers' health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The waiver is subject to conditions set forth by the New York Public Service Commission, and PHMSA does not object to its issuance.

Key Takeaways:

  • A waiver has been granted to The Brooklyn Union Gas Company, a subsidiary of National Grid of New York, to delay the required seven-year integrity assessment for a pipeline in New York Harbor.
  • The waiver is for dual 24-inch diameter pipelines operating at a maximum allowable operating pressure of 350 pounds per square inch gauge and up to 20 percent of the pipe's specified minimum yield strength.
  • The waiver was issued due to the unavailability of specific inline inspection tools, to maintain gas supply, and to address workers' health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The pipeline in question crosses the Narrows in New York Harbor near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York City.
  • The waiver is subject to conditions set forth by the New York Public Service Commission, and PHMSA does not object to its issuance.
  • The waiver is effective until June 30, 2021.

Statistics:

  • 350 pounds per square inch gauge: Maximum allowable operating pressure for the pipeline.
  • 20 percent: Maximum percentage of the pipe's specified minimum yield strength.
  • 2021: Deadline for completing the required seven-year integrity assessment.
  • 24-inch diameter: Diameter of the piping system subject to the waiver.
  • 2 pipes: Number of parallel pipelines subject to the waiver.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) - June 23, 2020
  • Mr. Kevin Speicher, Chief, Pipeline Safety and Reliability Section, State of New York - Department of Public Service
  • New York State Department of Public Service
  • 49 United States Code (USC) § 60118(d) and 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 192.943
  • The Brooklyn Union Gas Company

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