The City of Tompkinsville and its gas system had an order filed against it this past week by the Public Service Commission asking that they produce records regarding previous infractions.

The order refers to an Incident Investigation Report from a period inspection which occurred on Feb. 28, 2012 alleging that Tompkinsville was in violation of 14 sections of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Tompkinsville’s Mayor Jeff Proffitt noted that City Works manager Harold Frazier had been on medical leave but returned on Monday, Aug. 13 and that City Commissioners would be discussing it in depth at this week’s City Commission meeting. Proffitt also noted that they would be looking to hire a gas consultant to work with them on the corrective actions, but refrained from further comment until the Commissioners had met.

For the past several months since the infractions, the City Commissioners have been discussing the infractions and hearing updates on leaks fixed and increased monitoring.

Infractions included:

— maintaining a procedural manual for operations, maintenance and emergencies where the operator will prepare and follow a written set of procedures for conducting operations and for emergency response. The manual must be reviewed and updated by the operator at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once per calendar year;

— public awareness; the operator must develop and implement a written continuing public education program that follows the guidance provided in the American Petroleum Institute’s Recommended practice;

— external erosion control-monitoring; testing each pipeline that is under cathodic protection at least once per year but with intervals not exceeding 15 months;

— distribution systems-patrolling; frequent patrolling of mains, especially in areas where anticipated physical movement or external loading could cause leakage at least four times each calendar year (within business district) and at least twice a year outside business district;

— distribution systems-leakage surveys: conducting periodic leakages surveys with leak detector equipment;

— valve maintenance-distribution system: each valve must be checked and serviced at intervals not exceeding 15 months but at least once per calendar year;

— pressure limiting and regulating stations-telemetering or recording gauges: each system must be equipped with telemetering or recording pressure gauges to indicate the gas pressure in the District;

— integrity management program-no later than August 2, 2011, a gas distribution operator must develop and implement an integrity management program that includes a written integrity management plan;

— distribution system-annual report: an annual report must be submitted each year no later than March 15;

— excess flow value installation: the operator must install an excess flow valve on any new or replaced service line serving a single family residence after Feb. 12, 2010;

— qualification program-each operator must have and follow a written qualification program and after Dec. 16, 2004, provide training as appropriate to ensure that the individual performing covered tasks have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform tasks to ensure safe operation of pipeline facilities;

— odorization of gas: each operator must conduct periodic sampling of combustible gases that contain a natural odorant that is readily detectable by a person with a normal sense of smell.

According to the order filed on Aug. 10, 2012 in Frankfort, the City Commission received a cover letter and copy of the inspection report in June 2012 with the City filing a response on July 19, 2012 stating that it had “hired both a consultant and a contractor to aid in curing the deficiencies. It also states that many of its records were lost or misplaced when the office was moved from the courthouse, but it now has storage at the police department, where the records will be kept, as well as a designated person who is responsible for record keeping and filing. The response also stated Tompkinsville has obtained the manuals and plans it lacked during the inspection, however, those manuals and plans have not yet been reviewed by the Pipeline Safety Branch.”

The order continues that the Public Service Commission also “finds prima facia evidence exists that Tompkinsville has failed to comply with KRS 278.495. We further find that a formal investigation into the inspection that is the subject matter of the Reports should be conducted and that this investigation should also examine Tompkinsville’s safety practices related to the construction, installation and repair of natural gas facilities.”

The City of Tompkinsville was ordered to submit within 20 days a written response to the allegations contained in the Report and submit any plans or manuals it obtained as a result of the inspection and representatives were ordered to appear on Jan. 8, 2013 to present evidence concerning the alleged violations and showing cause why it should not be subject to the penalties of those alleged violations. The City was also asked to present evident on safety of its practices related to the construction, installations and repair of natural gas facilities and whether such practices require revision as related to this inspection. The January 8 hearing shall be recorded by videotape only and in informal conference with Commission Staff shall be set forth in writing and filed with the Commission within 20 days of the date of the Order.