Small Operators: There are two types of small gas systems:
· Mobilehome parks that take natural gas service through a master meter and then distribute it to park residents through their own system of underground pipes (MHP).
· Systems where liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is distributed from a master tank through underground pipes to multiple customers (Propane Master Tank).
Regulations: Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 190, 191, 192, 193, and 199. CPUC General Order No. 112-E.
Public Utilities Code, Sections 4351 through 4360 gives the Commission jurisdiction over the safety of master-metered natural gas systems in mobilehome parks. In January 1995 the Commission also assumed jurisdiction over the safety of propane master tank distribution systems. Assembly Bill 766 (Hauser) adopted Public Utilities Code, Sections 4451 through 4465 giving the Commission jurisdiction over Propane Master Tank systems serving 10 or more customers not in a mobilehome park or two or more customers inside a mobilehome park. The USRB enforces Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations through audits of jurisdictional MHP and Propane Master Tank systems. Audits consist of reviewing operation and maintenance records, evaluating emergency procedures, and performing field inspections of the gas distribution facilities. If violations are found, the operator is given a citation form requesting that corrective measures be taken.
Public Utilities Code Section 2791 put a stop to the construction of master metered mobilehome parks. It requires that residents of mobilehome parks built after January 1, 1997 be directly served by the gas and electric utilities serving in that area. Sections 2791 through 2799 outline a process by which existing master metered mobilehome parks can be converted to direct utility service. USRB encourages such conversions. Because the serving utilities are exclusively in the business of providing gas and electric service, a consistently high standard of maintenance and safety is assured. Benefits to operators of master metered parks include relief from complying with increasingly complex and demanding federal pipeline safety regulations and equally complex requirements for rendering bills for service.
The USRB is required by Section 4353 b to audit the gas facilities of MHP's at least once every five years. Depending on the results of the audit, the MHP may be audited more frequently. Over 2,800 MHP's are currently under the jurisdiction of the Commission. The frequency of audits of Propane Master Tank Systems depends on the size of the propane operator. Section 4453 b requires audits once every five years for systems with fewer than 100 customers, once every three years for distribution systems with 100 or more but fewer than 200 customers and once every two years for distribution systems with 200 or more customers. Over 600 propane operators are currently contained in the Commission's database.
Assistance: To help small utilities and operators, the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Pipeline Safety publishes guidance manuals for operators of small natural gas and propane systems.
Each year, the USRB presents seminars to operators of small gas systems on how to comply with the federal regulations.
The Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association (WMA) represents the interests of owners of mobilehome parks
The Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) represents the interests of marketers of propane
The Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League (GSMOL) represents the interests of people who live in mobilehomes
User fees: The Public Utilities Commission is a user-funded agency. The Commission collects fees based on the number of customers served by the master metered MHP or propane system. These fees are included in the master meter bill for natural gas customers and may be passed through to the submetered customers. The USRB bills propane master tank systems annually at the time it mails the annual report
Annual Reports: Small operators are required to submit annual reports to the Commission giving a description of their system, the number of customers and the dates of most recent leak surveys and cathodic protection checks. The due dates of these reports are staggered throughout the year to even the workload on USRB.