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.
“SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S6475 on June 10, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 181--DESIGNATING JUNE 10, 2009, AS ``NATIONAL
PIPELINE SAFETY DAY''
Mrs. MURRAY (for herself and Ms. Cantwell) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 181
Whereas there are more than 2,000,000 miles of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines in the United States that are operated by more than 3,000 companies;
Whereas gas and hazardous liquid pipelines play a vital role in the lives of people in the United States by delivering the energy needed to heat homes, drive cars, cook food and operate businesses;
Whereas, during the last decade, significant new pipelines have been built to help move North American sources of oil and gas to refineries and markets;
Whereas, on June 10, 1999, a hazardous liquid pipeline ruptured and exploded in a park in Bellingham, Washington, killing 2 10-year-old boys and a young man, destroying a salmon stream, and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and economic disruption;
Whereas, in response to the pipeline tragedy on June 10, 1999, Congress enacted significant new pipeline safety regulations, including in the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-355; 116 Stat. 2985) and the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006
(Public Law 109-468; 120 Stat. 3486);
Whereas, during the last decade, the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the Department of Transportation, with support from a diverse group of stakeholders, has instituted a variety of important new rules and pipeline safety initiatives, such as the Common Ground Alliance, pipeline emergency training with the National Association of State Fire Marshals, and the Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance;
Whereas, even with pipeline safety improvements, in 2008 there were 274 significant pipeline incidents that caused more than $395,000,000 of damage to property and disrupted the economy;
Whereas, even though pipelines are the safest method to transport huge quantities of fuel, pipeline incidents are still occurring, including the pipeline explosion in Edison, New Jersey, in 1994 that left 100 people homeless, the butane pipeline explosion in Texas in 1996 that left 2 teenagers dead, the pipeline explosion near Carlsbad, New Mexico, in 2000 that killed 12 people in an extended family, the pipeline explosion in Walnut Creek, California, in 2004 that killed 5 workers, and the propane pipeline explosion in Mississippi in 2007 that killed a teenager and her grandmother;
Whereas the millions of miles of pipelines are still ``out of sight'', and therefore ``out of mind'' for the majority of people, local governments, and businesses in the United States, a situation that can lead to pipeline damage and a general lack of oversight of pipelines;
Whereas greater awareness of pipelines and pipeline safety can improve public safety;
Whereas a ``National Pipeline Safety Day'' can provide a focal point for creating greater pipeline safety awareness; and
Whereas June 10, 2009, is the 10th anniversary of the Bellingham, Washington, pipeline tragedy that was the impetus for many of the safety improvements described in this resolution and is an appropriate day to designate as
``National Pipeline Safety Day'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates June 10, 2009, as ``National Pipeline Safety Day'';
(2) encourages State and local governments to observe the day with appropriate activities that promote pipeline safety;
(3) encourages all pipeline safety stakeholders to use the day to create greater public awareness of all the advancements that can lead to greater pipeline safety; and
(4) encourages individuals throughout the United States to become more aware of the pipelines that run through communities in the United States and to encourage safe practices and damage prevention relating to gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
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