The Senate approved bipartisan legislation on Thursday introduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) to ensure the country’s pipeline network remains safe.
The Securing Americans Future Energy: Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, S. 2276, would reauthorize the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2019.
“Every day across America, resources vital to our nation’s energy and economic security move through more than 2.5 million miles of pipeline,” Fischer, the chairwoman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, said. “For families, consumers, workers and businesses across our nation, the safety and security of our extensive pipeline network must remain a top priority. The bill we passed today will enhance the safety of these pipelines through stronger congressional oversight and necessary improvements to PHMSA.”
Under the bill, cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), PHMSA would be required to prioritize statutory requirements of rulemaking over new rulemaking. PHMSA would also be encouraged to investigate and report on advanced mapping technologies for pipeline networks.
“A safe, secure and efficient pipeline infrastructure is critical to our nation and essential to Montana – for energy security, jobs and environment protection,” Daines said. “(Thursday’s) passage of the SAFE PIPES Act is an important bipartisan step in protecting our natural resources, filling vacant inspector positions and improving communication between PHMSA and state agencies.”
U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) cosponsored the bill with Fischer and Daines.
“America’s pipeline infrastructure is an important part of our national energy network,” Booker said. “I’m pleased the Senate unanimously agreed to pass the SAFE PIPES Act, bringing us closer to our goal of implementing important oversight and accountability measures, encouraging the use of new technology, and helping ensure safer communities in New Jersey and around the country. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to secure its passage (on Thursday).”
The SAFE PIPES Act also calls for minimum standards for safe storage of natural gas and would establish a working group to study and report on the recent natural gas leak in California.
Fischer led two subcommittee hearings examining PHMSA and the overall security of the country’s pipeline network before introducing the SAFE PIPES Act.