Administration Pipeline Safety Bill Falls Short

Environmental Defense today praised the Clinton Administration’s announcement of new legislation to improve oil and gas pipeline safety, but called the bill deficient because it fails to give states the ability to oversee interstate pipelines.

“The administration’s bill has elements that will enhance pipeline safety and environmental protection; however, it does not address the primary deficiency of the current pipeline law - the inability of states to regulate pipelines in their own backyards,” said Lois Epstein, an Environmental Defense engineer.

In contrast, bills by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) (S. 2004) and Congressman Jack Metcalf (R-WA) (H.R. 3558) give states additional, essential authority to enhance pipeline safety, for example, by establishing requirements for leak detection.

“All the administration bill does to help states oversee pipelines is provide some additional needed funding. Meanwhile, the federal Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety is carrying out an unfortunate policy that limits states’ independence in pipeline inspection activities,” Epstein said. All three bills need to mandate shut-off valves, analyze the ways particular pipelines can fail, and establish citizens’ advisory committees to advise the Department of Transportation on fuel transport issues.”

“The best elements of the administration’s bill, especially its strengthened enforcement measures, should be added as amendments to S. 2004 and H.R. 3558. Environmental Defense likes the concept in the administration’s bill of enhancing the accountability of pipeline companies to the public; however, the devil will be in the details,” Epstein said.

The tragedy in Bellingham, Washington last June when three youths were killed by a gasoline pipeline rupture and explosion has resulted in increased efforts on Capitol Hill and within the administration to enhance pipeline safety. Nevertheless, the 110,000 gallon spill from a PEPCO pipeline in Prince George’s County, Maryland this past weekend is the latest in a series of 4 pipeline spills of over 100,000 gallons since January 1, including a 600,000 gallon gasoline spill that resulted in the loss of approximately 1/3 of Dallas’ water supply.