BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Request by )
THE CASCADE NATURAL GAS  ) DOCKET UG-971535 CORPORATION for a Waiver of        )
Certain Pipeline Facilities from  )
Regulatory Definitions of the Term ) ORDER GRANTING
"Main" [WAC 480-93-005(12),  ) WAIVER
CFR 49 Part 192.3]                 )
 )

  On October 20, 1997, The Cascade Natural Gas Corporation (CNG), a Washington 
Corporation, filed a request for a waiver of WAC 480-93-005(12) and CFR Title 
49 Part 192.3, Definitions.  49 CFR Part 192 is incorporated into the 
Washington Administrative Code WAC 480-93-010.  The waiver will allow CNG the 
right to install a new service line from a branching point on an existing 
service line to an adjacent building.  Currently: 

FINDINGS OF FACT

  1. WAC 480-93-005(12) states that a "main" is a gas pipeline which serves as 
a common source of gas for more than one service line, which crosses a public 
right of way, or which crosses property not owned by the customer or the gas 
company.  A service line means a distribution line that transports gas from a 
common source of supply to a customer meter or the connection to a customer’s 
piping.  A customer is defined as any individual who purchases gas for his own 
consumption.  A "main" is defined by 49 CFR 192.3 as a distribution line that 
serves as a common source of supply for more than one service line.

  2. 49 CFR 192.361 requires each buried service line must be installed with at 
least 12 inches of cover in private property and at least 18 inches of cover in 
streets and roads. And 49 CFR 192.327 requires each buried main must be 
installed with at least 24 inches of cover.

  3. The pipeline serving two customers from  "a common source of supply" to 
the branching point is a main.

  4. The Commission is authorized to modify or waive a rule in accordance with 
WAC 480-93-230.

  5. The Commission is certified under the Pipeline Safety Law and must give 
the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) written notice 
of any waiver of federal rules.  
Docket UG-971535            Page 1    

  6. The effective date of any Federal waiver is subject to a sixty day review 
and approval by the USDOT. 
 

  7. The Commission has granted a waiver under similar circumstances as 
described in Docket UG-921223.

O R D E R

  1. WHEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED That the request by The Cascade Natural 
Gas Corporation for a waiver be granted, of  WAC 480-93-005(12) Definition of 
"main" - for certain CNG pipelines located on private property that serves no 
more than two residential building customers.

  2. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED That the buildings must be located on contiguous 
private property and not be divided by streets, roads, alleys or other public 
thoroughfares as shown in the attached Exhibits A & B.

  3. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED That this waiver will apply to mains with a maximum 
allowable operating pressure of sixty pounds per square inch gauge or less and 
is located on private property.

  4. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED That this waiver will not apply to high pressure 
services or "farm taps" operating over sixty pounds per square inch gauge 
located at a building.

  5. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED That the effective date of the CNG request for 
waiver of 49 CFR 192.3 "main" be subject to USDOT Office of Pipeline Safety 
sixty day review and approval.

  6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED That jurisdiction over this Docket is retained to 
effectuate the provisions of this order.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 22nd day of April, 1998.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


     
     
      PAUL CURL, Acting Secretary