Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions - S. 2909

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

By Mr. SPECTER:

S. 2909. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to allow the Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation to increase the diameter of a natural gas pipeline located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I seek recognition to introduce a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to modify existing right-of-way agreements to allow an increase in the diameter of an existing natural gas pipeline in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pike County, Pennsylvania.

In 1947, Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation installed a 14-inch diameter pipeline, known as Line 1278, that included construction in the then rural areas of Pike, Northampton and Monroe counties. This system has become an important part of the energy delivery system to key eastern markets.

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) directed Columbia in 2002 and 2003 to take actions going forward with Line 1278, including additional testing, additional cathodic, corrosion, protection and replacement of portions of the pipeline. DOT ordered that the replacement must be completed by 2007. To comply with the DOT instructions, Columbia in December 2003 filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to replace about 43 miles of this pipeline, including 3.5 miles of the line that now lie within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

At issue are two right-of-way agreements affecting property now within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that do not allow Columbia to increase the diameter of the pipeline. The Recreation Area was formed in 1965 through the acquisition of many tracts of private property. Columbia's Line 1278 runs through 14 of these tracts under the terms of right-of-way agreements obtained from landowners prior to the Recreation Area's creation. Agreements affecting 12 of the 14 tracts include language allowing Columbia to increase the diameter of the pipeline. However, two of the agreements, representing about 890 feet of the pipeline, do not include such authorization.

Under current law, the Secretary of the Interior lacks legislative authorization to enter into an agreement to grant a pipeline easement that will allow an increase in the diameter of Line 1278. To complete the planned upgrade to improve energy reliability in the region, enabling legislation is required.

This bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with Columbia to grant a pipeline easement to allow an increase in the diameter of Line 1278 from 14 inches to 20 inches in diameter. Timely enactment will allow the replacement to be performed efficiently in conjunction with the overall replacement project, and the uniform size will facilitate the use of "smart pigging" technology to utilize inspection vehicles inside pipelines to help assure long-term safety and reliability of this important energy infrastructure.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation for this important project.