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APGA Submits Comments to Massachusetts on Professional Engineering Stamps

By Erin Kurilla posted 11-07-2019 11:39 AM

  
On November 1, APGA submitted comments to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) on their proposal for addressing the Professional Engineering (PE) exemption for natural gas utility work. Following the September 2018 incident in Merrimack Valley, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a recommendation to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to “eliminate the professional engineer licensure exemption for public utility work and require a professional engineer’s seal on public utility drawings.”

In January 2019, the Massachusetts DPU issued interim guidance to investor owned utilities outlining a few “complex jobs” that will now need a PE stamp. However, on October 11, the DPU introduced the a proposal to incorporate these requirements into state regulation. In their request for comment, the DPU expanded the list of job types and addressed the new requirements to all distribution pipeline operators.

APGA worked with our members serving in the state of Massachusetts to develop comments in response to the DPU’s proposal. The comments emphasize the need for individuals with proper knowledge and skills to review and approve construction drawings that impact the safe operation of a pipeline system. However, APGA comments that we disagree that the sole means by which to verify an individual’s knowledge and skills is through a PE license. APGA also provides comments on some of the specific jobs the DPU suggests need PE stamps.

On September 24, the NTSB issued a recommendation to 31 states that they also should “remove the exemption so that all future natural gas infrastructure projects require licensed professional engineer approval and stamping.” We understand that some state regulators are already beginning to inquire about the capabilities of the utilities in their state to comply with such a requirement. Please keep APGA informed of any opportunity for public comment and if we can be of assistance in those inquires. View the comments here

For questions on this article, please contact Erin Kurilla of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-2742 or by email at ekurilla@apga.org.

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