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New Federal Gas Pipeline Requirements

Does the service line in your yard need repair to fix a gas leak? If you live in Pennsylvania, be sure that your contractor meets new U.S. Department of Transportation regulations to do the required work in Columbia's service area. Starting October 29, 2002, the federal government requires anyone who works on customer service lines or meter settings to be D.O.T. 'operator qualified' and participate in a DOT approved Drug and Alcohol Misuse Program. The contractor must sign and leave an " Operator Qualification Card" at the work site confirming compliance with the regulations. If work is not performed by a qualified contractor, or if the card is missing or not completed properly, Columbia Gas cannot restore service. Only D.O.T.-qualified contractors can repair or replace customer service lines and meter settings, and only Columbia can restore your gas service to your meter setting.

More Information

After October 28, 2002 individuals who install, replace, or repair service lines and meter settings must be QUALIFIED in accordance with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation Part 192, Subpart N. Operator Qualification is a federally mandated program of the Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety. The Web site to reference the code is ops.dot.gov/regulations/2001/part192.htm.

View a list of Companies with DOT Operator Qualified Plumbers (Adobe Acrobat Document).

For gas line repairs on customer-owned service lines or meter settings, please refer to local yellow pages, chambers of commerce, municipal building/permitting offices, Internet Web searches, etc. for plumbers/contractors qualified to perform the required work.

NOTE: In all cases, customers should ask if the people who will perform the necessary repairs have current DOT (Department of Transportation) Operator Qualifications acceptable to Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. Columbia also recommends checking for a picture ID or DOT wallet card before work begins.

According to Federal Requirements, only workers with these qualifications are permitted to work on these facilities, even though owned by the customer. The gas service cannot be re-established without written documentation of these qualifications from the plumber/contractor. A card indicating DOT qualifications is to be left at the meter set by the plumber / contractor upon repair completion. As with any purchasing decision, consumer awareness including validating references, insurance, licensing, bonding requirements, etc., should be considered prior to the start of any repair work.

After October 28, 2002 individuals who install, replace, or repair service lines and meter settings must be QUALIFIED in accordance with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation Part 192, Subpart N. Operator Qualification is a federally mandated program of the Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety. The Web site to reference the code is ops.dot.gov/regulations/2001/part192.htm. For information about the Drug and Alcohol Misuse Programs the Web address is www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx 02/49cfr199 02.html

• According to Federal Requirements, only workers with these qualifications are permitted to work on these facilities, even though owned by the customer.
• The gas service cannot be re-established without written documentation of these qualifications from the plumber/contractor.
• The written documentation is a card indicating compliance with the DOT Operator Qualifications and Drug and Alcohol requirements is to be left at the meter set by the plumber / contractor upon repair completion.
• As with any purchasing decision, consumer awareness including validating references, insurance, licensing, bonding requirements, etc., should be considered before the start of any repair work.

NOTE: In all cases, customers should ask if the people who will perform the necessary repairs have current DOT (Department of Transportation) Operator Qualifications acceptable to Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. Columbia also recommends checking for a picture ID or DOT wallet card before work begins.