10.1(1) Purpose and authority. The purpose of this chapter is to implement the requirements in Iowa Code chapter 479 and to establish procedures and filing requirements for a permit to construct, maintain, and operate an intrastate gas pipeline, for an amendment to an existing permit, and for renewal of an existing permit. This chapter also implements the requirements in Iowa Code chapter 479 for permits for underground storage of natural gas. The rules relating to intrastate gas pipelines and underground gas storage in this chapter are adopted by the Iowa utilities commission (commission) pursuant to Iowa Code section 479.17. The rules in this chapter do not apply to interstate pipe, pipes, or pipelines used in the transportation or transmission of natural gas or hazardous liquids.
10.1(2) When a permit is required. A pipeline permit shall be required for any pipeline which will operate at a pressure in excess of 150 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) or which, regardless of operating pressure, is a transmission line as defined in ASME B31.8 or 49 CFR 192.3. Using the factors set out in rule 199-10.14(479), the commission shall determine whether a pipeline is a transmission line and requires a permit.
10.1(3) Definitions. Technical terms not defined in this chapter shall be as defined in the appropriate standard adopted in rule 199-10.12(479). For the administration and interpretation of this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:
“Affected person”means any person with a legal right or recorded interest in the property, including but not limited to a landowner, a contract purchaser of record, a person possessing the property under a lease, a record lienholder, and a record encumbrancer of the property.
"Amendment of permit" means that changes to the pipeline permit or pipeline require the filing of a petition to amend an existing pipeline permit as described in rule 199-10.9(479).
"Approximate right angle" means within 5 degrees of a 90 degree angle.
“CFR” means the Code of Federal Regulations, which contains the general administrative rules adopted by federal departments and agencies, in effect as of December 22, 2021, unless a separate effective date is identified in a specific rule.
“Commission” means the utilities commission within the utilities division of the department of commerce.
"County inspector" means a professional engineer licensed under Iowa Code chapter 542B who is familiar with agricultural and environmental inspection requirements and has been employed by a county board of supervisors to do an on-site inspection of a proposed pipeline for compliance with 199-Chapter 9 and Iowa Code chapter 479.
"Gathering line" means a natural gas pipeline that transports gas from a current production facility to a transmission line or main as interpreted by 49 CFR 192.8.
"Multiple line crossing" means a point at which a proposed pipeline will either cross over or under an existing pipeline.
"Negotiating" means contact between a pipeline company and a person with authority to negotiate an easement that involves the location, damages, compensation, or other matter that is prohibited by Iowa Code section 479.5(5). Contact for purposes of obtaining addresses and other contact information from a landowner or tenant is not considered negotiation.
"Permit" means a new, amended, or renewal permit issued by the commission.
"Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity.
"Pipeline" means any pipe, pipes, or pipelines used for the intrastate transportation or transmission of any solid, liquid, or gaseous substance, except water.
"Pipeline company" means any person engaged in or organized for the purpose of owning, operating, or controlling pipelines for the intrastate transportation or transmission of any solid, liquid, or gaseous substance, except water.
"Underground storage" means storage of natural gas in a subsurface stratum or formation of the earth.
10.1(4) Railroad crossings. Where these rules call for the consent or other showing of right from a railroad for a railroad crossing, an affidavit filed by a petitioner which states that proper application for approval of railroad crossing has been made, that a one-time crossing fee has been paid as provided for in rule 199-42.3(476), and that 35 days have passed since mailing of the application and payment with no claim of special circumstance or objection from the railroad will be accepted as a showing of consent for the crossing.
[ARC 4957C, IAB 2/26/20, effective 4/1/20; ARC 6044C, IAB 11/17/21, effective 12/22/21; ARC 7017C, IAB 5/17/23, effective 6/21/23; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 7/24/24]