U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on July 25 released a draft bill that aims to improve the safety of pipeline transportation in America by modernizing and expanding critical infrastructure.
Rep. McMorris Rodgers and U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) unveiled a draft of the Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2023, which they said will help unleash clean, affordable American energy. They are both members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, which Rep. McMorris Rodgers chairs.
“To address the needs of the American people, today, we are unveiling the Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2023, which will ensure we can build more pipelines, maintain our current critical infrastructure, operate pipelines safely, transport more energy, and lower energy prices,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers and her colleague on Tuesday.
To strengthen pipeline safety, for instance, the bill would bolster penalties for damaging, destroying, or impairing the operation of pipeline facilities, increase funding to state pipeline safety inspectors, and implement new accident-prevention initiatives, according to a summary of the draft bill.
“Pipelines are among the safest and most efficient ways to move the fuels that heat our homes, power our cars, and power our nation’s economy. Yet President Biden and Democrats are proactively working to shut down America’s pipelines and prevent the necessary maintenance to ensure pipelines are operating safely and efficiently,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. “The administration is also making it more difficult for new infrastructure to be built. This is preventing critical resources from getting to people who need them most.”
Toward solving such issues, the bill also would prohibit states and local governments from banning natural gas or other fuels, and would direct the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to implement cutting-edge technology innovation programs to upgrade regulatory processes and improve pipeline safety, the summary says.
Additionally, the bill would reduce emissions by establishing stronger safety regulations for carbon dioxide pipeline transportation and encourage investment in carbon capture and storage technologies to reduce emissions.
Among several other provisions, the bill would help expand the nation’s pipeline infrastructure by allowing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to grant federal authorizations to modernize existing pipelines and construct new pipelines in compliance with safety regulations, the summary says, noting that this action would streamline the permitting process and ensure that developers can more quickly secure necessary permits for pipeline projects.
“We look forward to continuing to engage with stakeholders on this draft legislation to ensure everyone will have access to these critical energy resources,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers and her colleague.