Ranking Members Larsen, Payne Jr., and T&I Colleagues Support Proposed Rule to Improve Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair

Press Release

"Fully implementing this rule will result in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and is a key feature of the U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan…. This rule also has the potential to help mitigate the near-term effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events and natural disasters, by substantially reducing the amount of methane emitted into the atmosphere."

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"Revise the reporting minimum threshold to detect smaller leaks earlier, and further support lowering the leak reporting threshold to 500,000 standard cubic feet to align with the EPA's greenhouse gas reporting standards[;] Minimize intentional gas releases caused by maintenance, repair, and construction; Incentivize pipeline operators to use commercially-available equipment that can capture released methane for later use; and Establish more appropriate timeframes for the repair of all leaks, prioritizing these leaks by their risks to public safety and the environment."

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"Applying the final rule to regulated gas gathering pipelines and requiring that these pipeline owners submit data to the National Pipeline Mapping System will help ensure these leaks are found and repaired as soon as possible and will expand damage prevention efforts resulting in an increase in pipeline safety."

Source