Senator Roberts' Legislation to Improve Underground Gas Storage Safety Heads to President's Desk

Press Release

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today announced that late last night, the Senate gave final approval to S.2276, the SAFE PIPES Act, containing his language to improve the safety and regulation of underground natural gas storage facilities. The House passed the bill earlier this month and it now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law.

"Since the terrifying explosions in Hutchinson, Kansas, officials have feared threats from leaks of natural gas from storage facilities that were being overlooked by federal officials," Roberts said. "We can finally address a dangerous lapse in the oversight of interstate underground natural gas storage facilities and be better able to prevent explosions and loss of life. I thank the bill sponsor Senator Fischer and Senator Moran for their help in getting this legislation across the finish line."

In January of 2001, a gas leak migrated to underground caverns in and around Hutchinson, Kansas. The explosion and fire destroyed two downtown buildings and shattered the windows of several more. Two people were killed in a subsequent explosion. In Kansas, there are 11 interstate underground storage sites containing over 270 billion cubic feet of gas.

The Roberts language says the Secretary of Transportation shall issue minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities. State and local authorities may be authorized to enforce these standards.

Last July, Roberts negotiated language to address underground gas storage safety which was included in the SAFE PIPES Act, S. 2276. The bill was approved yesterday as amended in the House by the full Senate. Roberts also introduced a stand-alone bill.

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