in-20261028-IR-170260166FRA: PIPELINE SAFETY

TITLE 170 INDIANA UTILITY REGULATORY COMMISSION Final Rule LSA Document #26-166 DIGEST PIPELINE SAFETY Amends 170 IAC 5-3-0.5 concerning definitions. Amends 170 IAC 5-3-2.2 concerning the calibration of instruments. Amends 170 IAC 5-3-2.3 concerning pre-tested pipe. Amends 170 IAC 5-3-2.4 concerning farm taps. Amends 170 IAC 5-3-2.5 concerning construction packets. Amends 170 IAC 5-3-2.6 concerning the establishment of MAOP on distribution systems. Amends 170 IAC 5-3-3 concerning the acquisition of pipe or components to determine cause of failure. Amends 170 IAC 5-3-5 concerning waivers of compliance. Effective 30 days after filing with the publisher. HISTORY Notice of First Public Comment Period: 20260610-IR-170260166FNA Regulatory Analysis submitted with Notice of First Public Comment Period: 20260610-IR-170260166RAA Date of Public Hearing: July 13, 2026 CITATIONS AFFECTED: 170 IAC 5-3 SUMMARY/RESPONSE TO COMMENTS The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) requested public comment from June 10, 2026, through July 15, 2026, and during the public hearing on July 13, 2026. IURC received no comments in response to the Notice of First Public Comment Period. FINAL RULE Sec. 0.5. (a) Terms used in this rule, unless otherwise provided, have the meanings set forth in the following: (b) The following definitions apply throughout this rule: Sec. 2.2. (a) An instrument or a tool, the use of which is necessary if used to comply with this rule, shall must be calibrated according to the manufacturer's specifications and at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. (b) Records of instrument calibration shall must include the: Sec. 2.3. When an operator installs a pipeline pipe section that was previously pressure tested, a written record of the previous pressure test for each pipe section must be available or the operator must pressure test the pipeline after installation prior to but before being energized by another method allowed by this rule, according to 49 CFR 192 Subpart J. by another method allowed by this rule. Sec. 2.4. (a) For purposes of this section, "farm tap" means a service line directly connected to a production, a gathering, or an interstate transmission pipeline. (b) An operator shall operate a farm tap as with any other part of the operator's distribution system. By way of example At a minimum, farm taps shall must be: Sec. 2.5. At a construction site (as defined in section 4(e)(4) of this rule), the that meets the notification requirements in section 4(e)(4) of this rule, an operator shall maintain onsite or have access to the following documentation and provide it to the division upon on request: Sec. 2.6. (a) An operator complies with 49 CFR 192.619(a)(4) for existing pipelines less than one hundred (100) psi if the operator establishes the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) on a section of distribution system pipeline in compliance with Method 5 for establishing MAOP in 49 CFR 192.624(c)(5). For purposes of this section, the following table replaces Table 1 to in 49 CFR 192.624(c)(5)(ii): Required Patrols Leakage Surveys After the final leak leakage survey to establish the MAOP under this section, at least 1 additional patrol within the following 3 months. After the final leak leakage survey to establish the MAOP under this section, at least 1 additional leak leakage survey within the following 3 months. (b) Pipelines with an MAOP established under this section shall thereafter must be patrolled and surveyed in accordance with 49 CFR 192.721 and 49 CFR 192.723. Sec. 3. (a) The division may acquire from an operator or person sections of pipe or pipeline components that have failed in operation or test, or of pipeline components similar to the failed component, for the purpose of examination in an effort to determine the cause of the failure. (b) Prior to Before the acquisition of the pipe or pipeline components, the specimens shall must be positively identified as to: At the time of acquisition, the division shall provide a receipt to the operator or person from whom the pipe or pipeline components are acquired. (c) Upon On the acquisition of the pipe or pipeline components, the division shall pursue its examination and tests without delay. Upon On the completion of the examinations and tests, the division shall return the components acquired to the operator or person from whom acquired obtaining and obtain a receipt for the same. them. (d) As a result of the tests or other investigation, the commission may restrict or limit the use of similar pipeline components until the time that they have been proved to be safe for the specified service. Sec. 5. (a) An operator may file a petition with the commission, following the procedures in 170 IAC 1-1.1, for authorization to: (b) The commission shall investigate an application made under subsection (a), and, if it determines that the application of waiver of compliance with the code, standard, or regulation is not inconsistent with gas pipeline safety, the commission may grant the waiver. after due compliance with the requirements of state statute and the provisions of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 and the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 with regard to the waiver. Authorization will not be granted The commission may not grant a waiver to install or use materials or equipment that are specifically prohibited by the federal or state regulations. LSA Document #26-166 Notice of First Public Comment Period: June 10, 2026 Last Hearing Held: July 13, 2026 Approved by Attorney General: September 17, 2026 Approved by Governor: October 1, 2026 Filed with Publisher: October 2, 2026, 12:27 p.m. Documents Incorporated by Reference: None Received by Publisher Small Business Regulatory Coordinator: Caleb Peery, Assistant General Counsel, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, 101 West Washington Street, Suite 1500 East, Indianapolis, IN 46204, (317) 232-2701, cpeery@urc.in.gov