Energy and Power Subcommittee Hearing on Pipeline Safety

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to all of our panelists for being here today.

"Mr. Chairman, in the past the issue of pipeline safety has been one that we have worked on in a bipartisan manner and it is my sincere hope and expectation that we will continue in that tradition as we tackle reauthorization of this bill as well.

"I look forward to today's hearing with such a stellar lineup of expert witnesses and I commend you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing today with such distinguished panelists.

"I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Rep. Speier and Rep. Rehberg, both of whom I know have a personal interest on the subject of pipeline safety.

"Rep. Rehberg represents Montana, where they are dealing with the aftermath of the Silver Tip pipeline spill in the Yellowstone River, and Rep. Speier represents the district of San Bruno where last September's pipeline explosion claimed the lives of eight people.

"And while, so far, we have been fortunate to avoid loss of life, in my own home state of Illinois we have recently been experiencing pipeline leaks due to old and decrepit lines.

"Just yesterday, I had a conversation with the state's attorney of Will County, IL, where he informed me that recently there were three separate pipeline spills, two oil leaks and one butane leak, and he warned that future leaks were a real possibility due to aging infrastructure.

"So I look forward to hearing from all of our witnesses today, including our House colleagues, to gauge their thoughts on the draft bill we are discussing here.

"Additionally, I am interested to hear Rep. Speier's ideas on what elements of her own bill, H.R.22, the Pipeline Safety and Community Empowerment Act of 2011, that we might be able to incorporate to strengthen the legislation we are considering in this subcommittee.

"As far as the discussion draft, Mr. Chairman, I am committed to working with you in good faith to improve and strengthen this legislation, where necessary, in order to ensure that we have the strongest bipartisan bill possible moving forward.

"As I understand it, many elements of this discussion draft mirror provisions in the Senate bill, but there are some outstanding areas where I think we can make some improvements so that we have a stronger bill that can gain bipartisan support on the subcommittee and full committee levels, as well as when the bill reaches the floor.

"Some areas where I believe this bill can be strengthened include ensuring that there is regulation of gathering lines where appropriate, tightening up the integrity management system requirements, and ensuring that information regarding emergency response plans and industry-developed safety standards are available to the public.

"Mr. Chairman, if we are able to do work on this bill together and include input from both the majority and minority sides, then I am confident that we can move legislation from this subcommittee that can actually pass the Senate and, ultimately, become law.

"And the issue of pipeline safety, in the face of everything that is currently taking place, from the various spills and explosions, to the debates over fast-tracking various pipeline proposals, is one that we must act on because this nation needs updated and comprehensive pipeline safety reform.

"So once again, I applaud you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this timely hearing today and I look forward to hearing from all of our expert panelist and witnesses.

"And with that I yield back the balance of my time."

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