Political Quotes

“this week I was pleased that the Senate acted unanimously to pass a pipeline safety bill that will help ensure the safety of our Nation's vast energy pipeline network. The bipartisan bill, known as the PIPES Act of 2016, now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. Safely transporting energy to our communities and businesses is a goal that we all share. It was encouraging to see my colleagues come together on both sides of the aisle and on both sides of the Capitol, as well, to come up with a final product that will improve pipeline safety and oversight. With more than 2.6 million miles of oil and gas pipelines across this Nation, the energy industry must work together at all levels of government in order to protect lives, communities, and our environment. Pipelines can be one of the safest ways to move oil and gas products; however, we have seen truly devastating explosions and spills with pipelines, including in my home State of Michigan. The cost to clean up an oil spill from a pipeline break near Marshall, MI, into the Kalamazoo River has totaled over $1.2 billion. A similar spill in the Great Lakes would be devastating to our economy, environment, and drinking water supply. The transition to a clean energy economy is one of my top priorities, but in the meantime, as we push this transition forward, we cannot accept that pipeline spills are simply the cost of doing business.…”