The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY REAUTHORIZATION” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S5978-S5979 on June 7, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY REAUTHORIZATION
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to comment on a recent action by the Senate's Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology. In a completely bipartisan manner, the reauthorization for the Office of Pipeline Safety (S. 1505) was approved with a substitute amendment offered by Senator Pressler. The compromise amendment language was crafted through the leadership of Senators Pressler and Exon. It was also cosponsored by Senators Stevens, Hutchison, Inouye, Ford, Burns, and Breaux. It is now ready for consideration by the full Senate.
The negotiations involved many, and included various offices within the Department of Transportation. The major trade organizations ranging from the American Gas Association, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Public Gas Association, to the Association of Oil Pipe Lines participated as well. Valuable Assistance was also received from the dedicated staff of the Congressional Research Service. Input was also received from state and environmental groups like the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives, the Natural Resource Defense Council, and the Environmental Defense Fund. The negotiations were both challenging and productive. I want to compliment the staff from the Department of Transportation for their constructive and collaborative participation.
The major stakeholders are all in agreement--the substitute amendment is sound public policy. And this week the Commerce Committee also spoke when it unanimously approved the substitute. Senator Pressler has produced a real consensus which respects the interests and concerns of all the stakeholders and furthers the safety of America's interstate natural gas lines.
The natural gas industry is important to America and I want to share with my colleagues just a few statistics to explain why the full Senate needs to act on this legislation; First, 160 million Americans live in gas heated buildings; second, $10 billion is spent annually by America's gas industry for construction that uses enough pipe to almost circle the globe; third, America's natural gas system consists of over 1.2 million miles of pipe or enough to circle the earth 48 times; and fourth, there are over 600,000 Americans working in all aspects of this industry. The numbers speak for themselves--the natural gas industry is big business. It impacts many, and it has a huge presence in America.
I want to be clear; this legislation will codify a limited and targeted risk assessment, cost-benefit regulatory approach. It is consistent with both the Administration's principles and the goals of Congress. The bill's approach is a practical and responsible arrangement and is fully supported by the Office of Pipeline Safety. This legislation will also permit demonstration projects where flexibility from the one-size-fits-all mentality is permitted in a way which mandates that safety and environmental concerns must equal or exceed existing standards. It opens avenues for creativity, but demands strict accountability. This legislation will fund the Office of Pipeline Safety into the next century.
In response to past criticism, I also want to be clear; this bill does not alter the basic statutory structure for the Federal Government's oversight of the interstate industry. The new steps in the regulatory process will cause neither undue delay nor excessive costs. In fact, they are designed to provide better tools and management indicators for informed rulemaking in the future. This front end analysis will make government oversight more effective and efficient. Also the Secretary of Transportation has specific authority to ensure that the demonstration projects maintain existing safety standards. And finally, the new funding levels reflect the amounts stated by administration officials during the Commerce Committee's hearing.
This bill recognizes that new approaches to pipeline safety are possible without jeopardizing either the public's safety or the environment. It allows sound and the most up-to-date science, as well as common sense and flexibility when standards are established. More importantly, the process codified in this bill will be accomplished by building cooperative consensus through real consultation with all affected parties to avoid lengthy wasteful litigation.
The bottom line displayed by the modified bill, through the good work of Senators Pressler, Exon, Hutchison, and Breaux, is that government and industry can produce a genuine natural gas partnership that is good for all Americans. I eagerly look forward to seeing this bipartisan consensus bill considered by the full Senate as soon as possible.
Let me conclude by saying safety on America's interstate natural gas pipelines will be enhanced by this legislation. I also want to underscore that environmental protection along America's pipeline right-of-ways will also be enhanced.
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