Yadira Caraveo: “I thank Ranking Member Lofgren for yielding. Mr. Speaker, in Colorado we know how critical pipelines are, whether they…”

“I thank Ranking Member Lofgren for yielding. Mr. Speaker, in Colorado we know how critical pipelines are, whether they are for carrying different types of energy sources or even delivering water to communities from places that are miles away. In fact, according to the Office of Pipeline Safety, there are more than 45,000 miles of pipeline in Colorado. As one of the leading energy producers in the country, my district is home to miles of oil and hazardous liquid lines and natural gas transmission lines. However, we are also no stranger to experiencing accidents like a leak or break. We need to be doing what we can to ensure this important piece of our energy infrastructure remains safe and effective for years to come. That is why I am proud to lead the Next Generation Pipeline Research and Development Act with Representative Weber, which would invest in R&D for our aging pipeline infrastructure while also leveraging public- private partnerships to do so. This bipartisan effort will be a win for keeping our environment clean while maintaining one of the primary conduits for bringing energy to Coloradans. One of the biggest issues in my district right now is that our pipelines are getting older, particularly those used to transport natural gas, and that makes them more prone to leak. The most prevalent leak we see is methane, which is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.…”