Senate votes to reauthorize pipeline safety program

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation that would reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) pipeline safety program for four years.

The bill, the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2019 (S. 2299), would also provide advances in new safety technology and regulatory reform.

“Improving the safe and reliable transportation of energy is essential to keeping our businesses and homes running,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MI), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. “The PIPES Act would provide the necessary resources to ensure the safety of our pipeline system. It would also allow PHMSA to conduct pilot programs to evaluate and carry out innovative pipeline safety programs and technologies.”

In addition to reauthorizing PHMSA’s pipeline safety program for four years, the bill would allow PHMSA to conduct pilot programs to evaluate innovative pipeline safety technologies to enhance pipeline safety. It would also provide greater Congressional oversight on pending PHMSA rulemakings and direct PHMSA to update its current regulations for large-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities.
Further, it would establish an LNG Center of Excellence to promote and facilitate safety, education, training, and technological advancements for LNG operations.

“Pipelines carry much of the energy that powers our nation, and helping ensure the safe transportation of that energy is critical for homeowners and businesses across Illinois and our nation,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety.

The bill was sponsored by Sens. Wicker and Duckworth, along with Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Tom Udall (D-NM).

“This is an important step in the reauthorization process after months of work with our legislators—we appreciate their effort and dedication to getting this right,” Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the American Gas Association, said. “There is more work to do, and we are eager to get this important legislation through the House in a timely manner to help ensure our industry has the tools and technologies to continue to make our energy infrastructure safer.”
The bill now moves to the House for consideration.