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Aug. 31, 2010
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA announces interim final rules and
invites public comment on whistleblower procedures

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration published in the Aug. 31 Federal Register interim final rules that will help protect workers who voice safety, health, and security concerns. The regulations, which establish procedures for handling worker retaliation complaints, allow filing by phone as well as in writing and filing in languages other than English.

“When workers believe their employers are violating certain laws or government regulations, they have the right to file a complaint and should not fear retaliation. Silenced workers are not safe workers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. “Changes in the whistleblower provisions make good on the promise to stand by those workers who have the courage to come forward when they believe their employer is violating the law and cutting corners on a variety of safety, health and security concerns in the affected industries.”

The regulations, which cover workers filing complaints in the railroad, public transit, commercial motor carrier, and consumer product industries, also create greater consistency among various OSHA complaint procedures. The interim final rules establish procedures and time frames for handling complaints under the whistleblower sections of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

These regulations are effective immediately. Comments must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2010, and can be sent to www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or by mail or fax.

OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of the OSH Act and 18 other statutes protecting employees who report violations of various commercial motor carrier, airline, nuclear power, pipeline, environmental, railroad, public transportation, securities, and health care reform laws. New fact sheets on these statutes and additional information will be available at http://www.whistleblowers.gov.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

Williams Pipeline Partners and Williams Partners Complete Merger

Tulsa, OK, August 31, 2010 - Williams Pipeline Partners L.P. (NYSE:WMZ) and Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE:WPZ) announced on August 31 that the WMZ unitholders have approved the proposed merger between the two master limited partnerships and the merger has been completed.

The approval was granted at a special meeting of the Williams Pipeline Partners limited partners. A majority of the outstanding WMZ common units, other than WMZ common units held by Williams Partners and its affiliates, voted in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and the merger. The outstanding subordinated units of WMZ, which are all owned by the general partner of Williams Pipeline Partners, also voted in favor of the merger.

The merger became effective following the special meeting. As a result, WMZ unitholders will receive 0.7584 WPZ common units for each WMZ common unit they owned at the effective time of the merger. Also as a result of the merger, all currently outstanding WMZ common units and WMZ subordinated units have been extinguished, and Williams Pipeline Partners has become indirectly wholly owned by Williams Partners.

Williams Partners’ common units will continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WPZ. Williams Pipeline Partners’ common units, which had been trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol WMZ, will be delisted and no longer publicly traded.

Williams Partners and Williams Pipeline Partners announced the execution of the merger agreement on May 24.

About Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE:WPZ)  

Williams Partners L.P. is a leading diversified master limited partnership focused on natural gas transportation; gathering, treating, and processing; storage; natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionation; and oil transportation. The partnership owns interests in three major interstate natural gas pipelines that, combined, deliver 12 percent of the natural gas consumed in the United States. The partnership’s gathering and processing assets include large-scale operations in the U.S. Rocky Mountains and both onshore and offshore along the Gulf of Mexico. Williams (NYSE:WMB) owns approximately 80 percent of Williams Partners, including the general-partner interest. More information is available at www.williamslp.com. Go to http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1296&to=ea&s=0 to join our email list.

About Williams Pipeline Partners L.P. (NYSE:WMZ)  

Williams Pipeline Partners is a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns and operates natural gas transportation and storage assets. The general partner of Williams Pipeline Partners is Williams Pipeline GP LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE:WPZ) . For more information, please visit www.williamspipelinepartners.com. Go to http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1589&to=ea&s=0 to join our e-mail list.

Portions of this document may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined by federal law. Although the partnerships believe any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the “safe harbor” protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the partnerships’ annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For More Information Contact
Jeff Pounds
Williams Pipeline Partners L.P.
+1-918-573-3332
www.williamslp.com
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10-1154-PHI (osha 10-186)
Aug. 30, 2010
Contact: Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5101
E-mail: hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

US Labor Department’s OSHA cites Letart, W.Va., manufacturer for workplace safety and health hazards

LETART, W.Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Felman Production Inc. for exposing employees to workplace safety and health hazards at its plant in Letart. Proposed penalties total $44,000.

OSHA initiated an inspection on May 12, after being notified of an explosion in a waste dumpster at the facility. As a result of the inspection, the company was cited for 10 serious violations.

“Each of these hazards threatens the company’s ability to provide employees with a safe and healthful work environment, and should be corrected immediately,” said Prentice Cline, director of OSHA’s Charleston Area Office in West Virginia.

The violations include inadequate hearing and respiratory protection programs, electrical hazards, improper use of compressed air, as well as employee exposure to silica, lead and manganese fumes. A serious citation is issued when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Charleston or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA’s Charleston Area Office; telephone 304-347-5937.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

Sempra Pipelines & Storage Announces Successful Start-Up of Mississippi Hub Gas Storage Facility
Company Places Natural Gas Storage Cavern 1 in Service

San Diego, CA, August 30, 2010 - Sempra Pipelines & Storage, a unit of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), announced that its Mississippi Hub natural gas storage facility is now operational, as the first of its two caverns is placed in service.

“This is a significant milestone demonstrating our capabilities in developing greenfield midstream projects and our continued commitment to the development of natural gas storage projects in North America,” said George S. Liparidis, president and chief executive officer of Sempra Pipelines & Storage. “Mississippi Hub will provide high-quality storage services to expanding markets while serving a robust region for natural gas supply.”

Located at the Bond Salt Dome in Simpson County, Miss., Mississippi Hub is strategically positioned to access the shale basins of east Texas and Louisiana, traditional gas supplies in the Gulf of Mexico and along the U.S. Gulf Coast, as well as liquefied natural gas imports. With its multiple interstate pipeline interconnects, the facility is ideally located to serve growing demand centers in the southeast and northeast regions of the U.S.  

Mississippi Hub’s Cavern 1 is designed to provide up to 10-cycle service on 7.5 Bcf of working gas capacity. Pipeline interconnects will include: Southern Natural Gas, Southeast Supply Header and Transcontinental Gas Pipeline. A second cavern, which will add an additional 7.5 Bcf of working gas storage capacity, is currently under construction at the facility and is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2012.

Sempra Pipelines & Storage develops, builds and operates natural gas pipelines and storage facilities throughout North America. The company and its affiliates currently operate and own 19 Bcf of storage capacity, with plans to develop as much as 75 Bcf by 2015 to help meet North America’s growing demand for natural gas storage. Sempra Pipelines & Storage also manages natural gas and electricity distribution in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru and the U.S. Sempra Pipelines and Storage is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, a San Diego-based Fortune 500 energy services holding company.

This press release contains statements that are not historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by words like “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” or similar expressions, or discussions of strategies, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Future results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon various assumptions involving judgments with respect to the future and other risks, including, among others: local, regional, national and international economic, competitive, political, legislative and regulatory conditions and developments; actions by the California Public Utilities Commission, California State Legislature, California Department of Water Resources, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Federal Reserve Board, and other regulatory and governmental bodies in the United States and other countries where the company does business; capital market conditions and inflation, interest and exchange rates; energy and trading markets, including the timing and extent of changes and volatility in commodity prices; the availability of electric power, natural gas and liquefied natural gas; weather conditions and conservation efforts; war and terrorist attacks; business, regulatory, environmental and legal decisions and requirements; the status of deregulation of retail natural gas and electricity delivery; the timing and success of business development efforts; the resolution of litigation; and other uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the company. These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that Sempra Energy has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, and on the company’s website at www.sempra.com.

Sempra Pipelines & Storage, Sempra Generation, Sempra LNG and RBS Sempra Commodities dba Sempra Energy Solutions and Sempra Energy Trading are not the same companies as the utility, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) or Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and Sempra Pipelines & Storage, Sempra Generation, Sempra LNG and RBS Sempra Commodities dba Sempra Energy Solutions and Sempra Energy Trading are not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission.

For More Information Contact
Wes Phillips  
Sempra Pipelines & Storage
(866) 257-1298
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Glen Donovan
Sempra Energy
(877) 736-7727
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Region 7 News Release 10-1168-KAN
Aug. 25, 2010
Contact: Rich Kulczewski
Phone: 303-844-1302
Email: kulczewski.richard@dol.gov

US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites US Postal Service in Kansas City,
Kan., with $191,000 in penalties for serious and repeat safety violations

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service Bulk Mail Center in Kansas City, Kan., for numerous serious and repeat safety violations endangering the health and safety of its employees. OSHA has proposed $191,000 in penalties against the facility.

An OSHA inspection revealed seven alleged repeat and 21 alleged serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. OSHA’s inspection was initiated under its site-specific targeting program which targets employers with high injury and illness rates.

“There is no excuse for the lack of attention to the work environment that resulted in a multitude of violations, including seven repeat violations,” said Charles Adkins, OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. “It is imperative that employers take the necessary steps to eliminate hazards and provide a safe working environment for all of their employees to prevent accidents from occurring.”

The serious violations stem from overall deficiencies in walking/working surfaces, fall protection, sling use, machine guarding, welding and electrical equipment. OSHA issues a serious violation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard that an employer knew or should have known about.

The repeat violations address hazards associated with exit routes, eye wash facilities, electrical equipment and hazard communication. OSHA issues a repeat violation when an employer has been previously cited for the same, or a substantially similar, violation within three years of the final order date.

The Labor Department has filed an enterprise-wide complaint against the U.S. Postal Service for electrical work safety violations. The complaint asks the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to order the USPS to correct electrical violations at all of its facilities nationwide. This complaint marks the first time OSHA has sought enterprise-wide relief as a remedy. Within the past five years, OSHA has conducted more than 900 inspections at USPS facilities across the country and has issued more than 600 citations.

The USPS Bulk Mail Center has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in Wichita, Kan., or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.