The Railroad Commission of Texas has approved 16 TAC §8.235 relating to public education and liaison programs for gas pipelines. The rule requires that (for regulated intra-state pipelines in Texas):

“Each operator … shall communicate and conduct liaison activities with fire, police, and other appropriate public emergency response officials. The liaison activities are those required by 49 CFR Part 192.615(c)(1)-(4). These liaison activities shall be conducted in person, except as provided by this section.”

Operators must use certified mail, fax, telephone, or e-mail to attempt to arrange the personal meetings. If a scheduled meeting does not take place, the operator must attempt to re-schedule the meeting using these same methods. If these efforts are unsuccessful, the operator should try to arrange a conference call (again using the same methods, and again attempting to re-schedule if a scheduled teleconference does not take place). If these attempts are unsuccessful, the information can be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

So, the operator may:

1. schedule a personal meeting,
2. get stood up,
3. re-schedule the personal meeting,
4. get stood up again,
5. schedule a conference call
6. get stood up,
7. re-schedule the conference call
8. get stood up again,
9. send the information by certified mail.

Records of all these steps must be kept for 5 years.

In addition, the rule requires:

“Each owner or operator of a natural gas pipeline or natural gas pipeline facility any part of which is located within 1,000 feet of a public school building or recreational area shall notify the Commission by filing with the Gas Services Division, Pipeline Safety Section, the following information:

1. the name of the school;
2. the street address of the school; and
3. the identification (system name) of the pipeline.”