Pipeline Safety Bill Added to Senate Energy Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C-Senator Maria Cantwell today announced that the pipeline safety bill that passed the Senate in February 2001 has been added to the Senate Energy bill. The bill, sponsored by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), contained language added by Cantwell that would require pipeline systems to undergo a safety inspection at least once every five years. Although the legislation passed the Senate last year, the House has not acted on the measure.
"Making pipeline safety part of the energy bill makes sense, and it brings us another step closer to protecting communities along pipelines all over America," Cantwell said. "As part of the energy bill, the pipeline safety bill will receive even stronger consideration throughout the legislative process. I'd like to thank Senator Murray for her hard work to make sure that pipelines are safe."
A June 1999 pipeline explosion in Bellingham, WA killed three young boys. From 1986-1999, the pipeline industry reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation that annually there were an average of 23 fatalities, 113 injuries, and $68 million in property damage as a result of 411 pipelines accidents. "This is an issue of tremendous importance if we're going to make real strides in prevention of accidents. If we don't know the fundamental state of integrity of these systems and facilities, we can't identify real threats to our communities," Cantwell said.
The energy bill is currently being debated on the Senate floor.
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