Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (Nov 19, 2019)
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019
This bill addresses pipeline safety with respect to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
Among other provisions, the bill
- reauthorizes appropriations through FY2023 for pipeline safety activities;
- allows for limited safety-enhancing testing programs to evaluate innovative technologies and operational practices testing the safe operation of natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities;
- authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a confidential and non-punitive voluntary information-sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information-sharing on best practices, processes, and technology deployments with respect to such facilities;
- establishes a Liquefied Natural Gas division within the Office of Pipeline Safety of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the safety and oversight of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, including small-scale LNG facilities, peak shaving facilities, and import or export facilities;
- creates a Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training;
- increases staffing levels in the PHMSA to hire additional personnel with safety expertise; and
- directs DOT to initiate a study on technologies and measures that reduce the amount of natural gas released during venting and blowdowns of natural gas distribution systems and transmission pipelines.
What just happenedNov 20, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in HouseNov 19, 2019
- Nov 20, 2019Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee - Nov 20, 2019Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Energy, Climate and Grid Security Subcommittee - Nov 19, 2019IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Energy and Commerce Committee - Nov 19, 2019IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - Nov 19, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Nov 19, 2019IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House