U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) last week introduced a bill to reauthorize the United States pipeline safety program for two years and provide resources at the state and federal levels for the hiring of pipeline inspectors: the Pipeline Safety Act of 2019.
H.R. 4700 would first and foremost revive the federal pipeline safety program, which expired on October 1. It was last authorized in 2016. The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) oversees the 2.7 million miles of pipeline infrastructure in the United States and sets the regulations that bind them, including those on construction, operation, and spill response.
“This process has historically been bipartisan,” Upton said. “That’s why it’s most unfortunate that my Democratic colleagues have decided to move forward with their own partisan plan. The fact is their plan isn’t going to become law with a Republican Senate and a Republican President. We have divided government and the only way we’ll complete this reauthorization is if the parties work together, which is why I’m introducing this bill that can actually gather bipartisan support. Protecting our pipelines, ensuring the safe delivery of our energy resources, and making sure we do right by our environment are too important to let political rhetoric and minor disagreements get in the way of a final product.”
Upton chaired the House Energy and Commerce committee in both 2012 and 2016 — the last two times the federal pipeline safety program was authorized. Under his tenure, Upton noted, these reauthorizations slashed reporting times, increased financial penalties for violations, and mandated annual inspections for certain pipeline crossings. Among the latter is one close to home — the controversial Enbridge Line 5, which crosses the Straits of Mackinac at a depth of more than 250 feet below the surface of the water. A major oil pipeline, it has suffered numerous hits and spills over the years, and left successive state administrations pondering how best to approach it.