(HARRISBURG) – The state Senate today voted 49-1 to approve legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) to improve gas pipeline safety in Pennsylvania.
The measure includes a statewide registry for Class 1 Marcellus Shale pipelines, requiring operators to report the location and aggregate miles of the pipeline to the PUC.
While the federal Office of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has jurisdiction over all pipeline facilities, it relies on agreements with each individual state to inspect and enforce federal pipeline safety regulations. Currently, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is only authorized to enforce regulations for pipeline operators with public utility status.
Baker’s bill gives the PUC authority to conduct safety inspections and investigations, respond to complaints, assess fines or penalties, and address service quality issues for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators consistent with federal pipeline safety laws and regulations. Operators will be charged registration and renewal fees so taxpayers are not forced to cover the cost of providing increased inspections and enforcement.
Baker said she plans to introduce legislation to expand jurisdiction to Class 1 Marcellus Shale pipelines.
Senator Baker’s floor remarks follow:
This legislation reflects a lot of responsible planning, negotiating, and refining on the part of legislators, regulators, companies, and experts in utility law. The process is driven by a real sense of urgency in communities across much of our Commonwealth. What was a good bill was made better by an amendment that brought Class 1 pipelines under the registration requirement, providing much needed protection.
An important element of proper oversight is monitoring the growing network of gas pipelines. Transporting the gas requires extensive infrastructure. Federal regulations set standards for siting, construction, and maintenance, but some public entity has to oversee and enforce those standards. As things now stand, a significant portion of this network is outside the jurisdictional power of the Public Utility Commission. That leaves a serious hole. The federal government has conceded they lack the manpower to properly oversee lines within a state.
This legislation gives the PUC authority to conduct safety inspections and investigations, respond to complaints, assess fines or penalties, and address service quality issues. Operators will be charged registration and renewal fees so taxpayers are not forced to cover the cost of providing increased inspections and enforcement.
One of the pressing public concerns arising as a result of the Marcellus Shale drilling is oversight of all aspects of the operations. We have moved to upgrade and expand laws, regulations, inspections, every piece of the apparatus necessary to protect communities and the environment.
If someone asks how much pipeline will be laid as the result of the Marcellus Shale development, the honest and indefensible answer is no one knows.
This legislation is necessary because someone must know. Local officials need to know. Emergency response units certainly need to know. Environmental protection agencies need to know.
The unfortunate explosions of old underground gas lines in urban areas have served notice of just how important matters of gas pipeline safety are. This bill provides the framework and the authority for the level of safety our citizens demand and deserve.
Contact: Jennifer Wilson
(570) 675-3931