1. (1) Definitions as used in this GPS Rule 13 - The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

   1. (a) Abandoned Service Lines – Those service lines permanently removed from service
   2. (b) Existing or Probable Hazard Leak  - A leak that represents an existing or probable hazard to persons or property and requires immediate repair or continuous action until the conditions are no longer hazardous.
   3. (c) Inactive Service Lines – Those service lines that continue to have natural gas within them, but have no meter attached to the service riser such that a “no flow” situation exists.
   4. (d) Service Line - A distribution line that transports gas from a common source of supply to an individual customer; to two adjacent or adjoining residential or small commercial customers; or to multiple residential or small commercial customers served through a meter header or manifold.  A service line ends at the outlet of the customer meter or at the connection to a customer’s piping, whichever is further downstream; or at the connection to customer piping if there is no meter.

2. (2) Disconnection Requirements: Inactive Service Lines Determined to be an Existing or Probable Hazard.

   1. (a) An operator shall take immediate action to protect persons and property if it is determined that an inactive service line for which the meter has been removed is an existing or probable hazard to persons or property. Except as noted in §4(b) of this GPS Rule 13, a service line that has been determined to be an existing or probable hazard shall be abandoned immediately.  If, however, a determination is made that the situation no longer presents that hazard to persons or property, abandonment shall be completed within twelve months of such determination.
   2. (b) Such lines shall be disconnected as close as possible to the main and be purged and capped.  If the main the service line is attached to is located under a paved surface, the operator may choose to abandon the service line at the curb with accurate mapping and marking for future locating purposes.
   3. (c) This §2 shall not be applicable to service lines for which customers are paying a provider/operator a regular charge to ensure the availability of such service lines as long as remediation of the hazard has been accomplished.
3. (3) Disconnection Requirements: Non Excess Flow Valve (“EFV”) Equipped Inactive Service Lines Determined to Not be Potentially Hazardous.
4. (a) Within three years of the meter removal, all inactive service lines not equipped with an EFV which have been determined to not be hazardous shall be disconnected at, or as close as possible, to the main. Such service lines shall also be purged and capped.
5. (b) This §3 shall not be applicable to service lines for which customers are paying a provider/operator a regular charge to ensure the availability of the service lines.

6. (4) Disconnection Requirements: Inactive Service Lines Equipped with Excess Flow Valves (“EFVs”) Determined to Not be Potentially Hazardous.

   1. (a) General Disconnection Requirements. With the exception of Polyethylene (“PE”) Services, all inactive service lines equipped with an EFV that have been determined to not be potentially hazardous shall within three years of the meter removal be disconnected.

      1. (i) Disconnection shall be accomplished upstream of the EFV in order to reduce possible sizing issues of the EFV should the service be returned to active duty at a later date.  Such lines should also be purged and capped.
      2. (ii) This § 4(a) shall not be applicable to those service lines for which customers pay a provider/service operator a regular charge to ensure the availability of such service lines.

   2. (b) Disconnection Requirements for Polyethylene Service Lines. All Inactive PE service lines with a verifiable Excess Flow Valve (EFV) that have been determined to not be potentially hazardous may be exempted from the requirement for disconnection, purging and capping within three years of meter removal set forth in §4(a) of this rule.

      1. (i) Monitoring will be required on such lines, however, to ensure the absence of leaks.
      2. (ii) Disconnection, purging and capping will be mandatory for such services after five years, but shall not include those service lines for which customers pay a provider/operator a regular charge to ensure the availability of such service lines.

7. (5) Documentation of Inactive Services.

   1. (a) Records Requirements. Each operator shall keep a separate record of all inactive services which identifies the affected service lines by one or more of the following:

      1. (i) Meter route sheets or meter readers while conducting monthly readings
      2. (ii) Meter removal orders
      3. (iii) Service leak repair orders
      4. (iv) Atmospheric corrosion surveys
      5. (v) Any other means deemed appropriate by the operator to gather the required data

   2. (b) Records Review and Retention Requirements

      1. (i) The record of inactive services required by Section 5(a) above shall be reviewed annually by the operator and shall be an inspection item for the GPS Division. Said record shall be the source for conducting retirements as mandated in Sections 1-3 of this rule.
      2. (ii) All records required by this rule shall be retained for a minimum of ten years

8. (6) Additional Requirements

   1. (a) The records required pursuant to this rule must include the size, material, and location of all remaining service line stubs. Said records, including the line stub locations, shall be readily available to personnel assigned to pipeline locating activities
   2. (b) After one year on the inactive service record required by this rule, but prior to abandonment, the service riser for all service lines identified as inactive abandoned but not yet abandoned shall be marked in a manner indicating their still-inactive status. Acceptable methods of marking include painting the riser yellow, marking with a metallic tag, and/or installing a pipeline marker
   3. (c) All inactive service lines included in the record required by this rule shall be leak surveyed from the main to the service riser on a bi-annual basis, not to exceed 30 months until such time as the service line is abandoned
9. (7) Distribution Integrity Management Plan (DIMP) Requirements: All inactive service lines shall be included in the operator’s DIMP. Potential threats toward the inactive service lines shall also be included in the DIMP and risk ranking shall be completed for the inactive service lines pursuant to 49 C.F.R. Part 192 Subpart P. If the risk assessment identifies any inactive service lines as a high-risk items, such service lines shall be abandoned within three months after completion of the risk assessment.
10. (8) Effective Date:  This rule shall not become effective until January 1, 2020.  All remedial actions required under this rule shall be completed within 3 years of the January 1, 2020, effective date of this rule.

Author: Alabama Public Service Commission

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§37-4-82, 37-4-83, 37-4-92, 37-4-93.

History: Adopted On June 26, 2017. Filed with LRS July 12, 2017. Filed for Codification in the Alabama Administrative Code by the Alabama Public Service Commission on July 12, 2017, pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §41-22-7. Amended: Published March 31, 2025; effective January 1, 2020.