Agenda Date:   February 14, 2001
Item No.:   2B

Docket No.:   UG-010019
Company Name:  Avista Corporation

Staff:    Wayne Wienholz II, Pipeline Safety Engineer
    Scott Rukke, Pipeline Safety Engineer
    Sondra Walsh, Senior Policy Strategist

Recommendation:

Approve the request by Avista Corporation in Docket No. UG-010019 for waiver of 
WAC 480-93-005(12) for certain pipeline facilities from the regulatory 
definition of the term "main" as limited in Staff’s memo.
 
Discussion:

On December 20, 2000, Avista Corporation (Avista) submitted a petition for a 
waiver of WAC 480-93-005(12), and Title 49 CFR 192.3 regarding the definition 
of "main."  A "main" is defined by 49 CFR Part 192.3 as a distribution line 
that serves as a common source of supply for more than one service line.  WAC 
480-93-005(12) defines "main" as a pipeline which crosses a public right of 
way; or which crosses property not owned by the customer or the gas company.  A 
customer is defined as any individual who purchases gas for his own consumption.

According to the existing definition, any time a buried pipeline serves gas to 
more than one building, that pipeline is considered a main.  Avista seeks to 
serve two residential buildings with a branched service line, having one 
connection at the main. 
 
In granting this waiver the Commission Staff recommends the following limits:

 1. The waiver will only apply to pipelines that serve gas at a maximum 
allowable operating pressure of 60 pounds per square inch gauge or less.  
 2. No more than two residential building customers whose buildings are located 
on contiguous private property will be served.  
 3. The property is not divided by streets, roads, alleys or other public 
thoroughfares.
 4. Will not apply to high-pressure services or "farm taps" operating over 60 
pounds per square inch gauge that are located at a building.

Under the Pipeline Safety Law, the Commission must give the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) written notice of any waiver of 49 
CFR codes.  The effective date of this waiver of 49 CFR 192.3 for "main" is 
subject to USDOT Office of Pipeline Safety sixty-day review and approval.  The 
USDOT has previously granted a similar waiver to Cascade Natural Gas 
Corporation in Docket No. UG-971535.

Conclusion:

Staff recommends approval of Avista Corporation’s petition in Docket No. 
UG-010019 for waiver of WAC 480-93-005(12) to amend the use of the word "main" 
when an existing service line is used to connect a branching service line for 
an adjacent and contiguous private property subject to specific limitations.  
Avoiding duplicate service line installations would enhance public safety.