82 STAT. ]
PUBLIC LAW 90-481-AUG. 12, 1968
721
standards for pipeline facilities and the transportation of gas not subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Power Commission under the Natural Gas Act as are not incompatible with the Federal mini- ^2 sta^ 82^K mum standards, but may not adopt or continue in force after the interim standards provided for above become effective any such standards applicable to interstate transmission facilities. (b) Not later than twenty-four months after the enactment of this ^^l^^^^^l ^^^^^^ Act, and from time to time thereafter, the Secretary shall, by order, establish minimum Federal safety standards for the transportation of gas and pipeline facilities. Such standards may apply to the design, installation, inspection, testing, construction, extension, operation, replacement, and maintenance of pipeline facilities. Standards affecting the design, installation, construction, initial inspection, and initial testing shall not be applicable to pipeline facilities in existence on the date such standards are adopted. Whenever the Secretary shall find a particular facility to be hazardous to life or property, he shall be empowered to require the person operating such facility to take such steps necessary to remove such hazards. Such Federal safety standards shall be practicable and designed to meet the need for pipeline safety. I n prescribing such standards, the Secretary shall consider— facto^s^^'^^'°" (1) relevant available pipeline safety data; (2) whether such standards are appropriate for the particular type of pipeline transportation; (3) the reasonableness of any proposed standards; and (4) the extent to which such standards will contribute to public safety. Any State agency may adopt such additional or more stringent standards for pipeline facilities and the transportation of gas not subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Power Commission under the Natural Gas Act as are not incompatible with the Federal minimum standards, but may not adopt or continue in force after the minimum Federal safety standards referred to in this subsection become effective any such standards applicable to interstate transmission facilities. (c) Any standards prescribed under this section, and amendments Effective date. thereto, shall become effective thirty days after the date of issuance of such standards unless the Secretary, for good cause recited, determines an earlier or later effective date is required as a result of the period reasonably necessary for compliance. (d) The provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5 of the United States Code shall apply to all orders establishing, amending, c^us^c'ss^^V 9 revoking, or waiving compliance with, any standard established under this Act. The Secretary shall afford interested persons an opportunity to participate fully in the establishment of such safety standards through submission of written data, views, or arguments with opportunity to present oral testimony and argument. (e) Upon application by any person engaged in the transportation wllvef oT^comof gas or the operation of pipeline facilities, the Secretary may, after Jifance" notice and opportunity for hearing and under such terms and conditions and to such extent as he deems appropriate, waive in whole or in part compliance with any standard established under this Act, if he determines that a waiver of compliance with such standard is not inconsistent with gas pipeline safety. The Secretary shall state his reasons for any such waiver. A State agency, with respect to which there is in effect a certification pursuant to section 5(a) or an agreement pursuant to section 5(b), may waive compliance with a safety standard in the same manner as the Secretary, provided such State agency gives the Secretary written notice at least sixty days prior to the effective date of the waiver. If, before the effective date of a waiver to be granted by a State agency, the Secretary objects in writing to the
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