U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop (R-MI) has unveiled a bill to help preserve the Great Lakes and protect the region’s resources and related economies.
The Great Lakes Oil Spill Prevention Act, H.R. 4787, introduced on Jan. 12, would “impose additional requirements on portions of petroleum pipelines that cross waters of the Great Lakes,” among other purposes, according to text of the bill in the congressional record.
“The Great Lakes are more than just water,” Rep. Bishop said. “The lakes represent our heritage, our recreation, our resources and our jobs. As a lifelong Michigan resident, I believe each of us has a responsibility to ensure our lakes are preserved for future generations.”
Specifically, according to the bill’s text, tougher owner and operator standards would be set for pipeline structural integrity and safety to prevent pipeline ruptures, as would more stringent rules for pipeline structure testing and reporting.
“One of the largest threats facing our Great Lakes is an oil spill, and it is imperative we have safeguards in place to minimize the risk,” said Bishop, who also wants to ensure pipeline owners and operators are held responsible for any mishaps.
On that point, H.R. 4787 also includes accountability provisions, such as setting timelines for violation correction, penalties for delayed response and increased operator financial liability.
“I introduced the Great Lakes Oil Spill Prevention Act to ensure Michiganders have timely, accurate and transparent information about pipeline safety risks and to hold pipeline operators accountable,” the congressman said.
The Great Lakes encompass the jurisdictions of two countries, eight states, one province, and several tribes, and include a fishery with an annual collective value of more than $7 billion, according to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC), which welcomed Bishop’s legislation.
“The Great Lakes Fishery Commission and its citizen advisors — in both Canada and the United States — remain deeply concerned about petroleum transportation on the Great Lakes, including through pipelines,” said Robert Lambe, executive secretary of GLFC.
“Legislation, like that introduced by Congressman Bishop, recognizes that we must protect the Great Lakes from shoddy pipelines that could rupture and cause significant damage to human health, fisheries, habitat, and drinking water,” Lambe said. “This legislation helps to hold pipeline operators to the highest standards and holds them liable for any damage they cause.”
The bill is awaiting consideration by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.