Pete Domenici: “I am pleased to co-sponsor an amendment to modernize our nation's pipeline safety programs. As you know, the Senate…”

“I am pleased to co-sponsor an amendment to modernize our nation's pipeline safety programs. As you know, the Senate passed this legislation on February 8th of last year, by a vote of 98-0. Because it has not yet been acted on in the House, I am pleased to see that we are working to get this important legislation enacted in another way. As we all remember, the issue of our country's pipeline safety came to the forefront after tragic explosions in Bellingham, Washington, and later, in my own state of New Mexico. On August 19, 2000, twelve members of an extended family were on a camping and fishing trip along the Pecos River near Carlsbad, New Mexico. Just after midnight, a natural gas pipeline exploded, sending a 350 foot high ball of flame into the air. Six of the campers died instantly. The six remaining family members later died from their horrific injuries. We have to make sure that tragedies like this do not occur again. What I am here to do today, is to work so that we don't have to think twice before camping with our families and friends.”