April 2011 Vol. 66 No. 4
Newsline
Senators introduce critical pipeline safety act
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation recently announced that Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) have introduced legislation to improve pipeline safety efforts nationwide.
The bill proposes to strengthen pipeline oversight by the federal government and addresses safety issues, including the use of automatic shut-off valves and excess flow valves.
“Pipelines transport valuable energy resources to communities across our nation. While our pipeline systems is largely safe, when accidents occur the consequences can be catastrophic,” Lautenberg said.
According to the committee, the U.S. has approximately 2.5 million miles of pipelines that transport oil, natural gas and hazardous liquids. Pipelines are an integral component of the U.S. economy, and are generally considered as safer mode of transportation than other options for moving gas and liquids.
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