Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, And Safety Act of 2006

PIPELINE INSPECTION, PROTECTION, ENFORCEMENT, AND SAFETY ACT OF 2006 -- (House of Representatives - December 06, 2006)

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Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of our consensus substitute to H.R. 5782, the Pipeline Protection Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006. This legislation reflects bipartisan, bicameral agreement on reauthorizing the Nation's pipeline safety laws, and I am really glad to see it up for consideration in the House today.

I am very hopeful that the Senate will also quickly consider this measure, as this amended legislation reflects changes made to ensure passage of this bill in the Senate.

I thank Chairman Barton, Ranking Member Dingell, Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar for their open process and for working together to reconcile these two bills.

This legislation sets out many new provisions that will help to strengthen an already strong job that is being done by DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. It adds provisions to encourage and award States to adopt a One-Call notification system before digging or excavating work begins, addressing one of the only rising trends in pipeline accidents. It further addresses a low stress line exemption that allows pipelines like the ones in Alaska Prudhoe Bay oil field, operated by BP, to go unregulated and unaccounted for years while preserving DOT's flexibility in enforcing these new regulations. It also preserves current exemptions for gathering lines and lines affecting production facilities.

All of these provisions reflect careful compromise with industry, with pipeline operation safety and environmental groups, administration and the States. It is cognizant of the critical and intentionally quiet role pipelines play in fueling this Nation's economy, and adopts provisions that reflect this delicate balance.

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