Frank Lautenberg: “H.R. 5782 the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 is a timely piece of legislation, and…”

“H.R. 5782 the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 is a timely piece of legislation, and I hope that it will soon become law. I am proud to be one of the original cosponsors of the Senate version of this bill, S.3961. Our 2.3 million miles of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines are more than simply a series of tubes. This system is the transportation mode for nearly two-thirds of the energy consumed by our Nation. From large transmission pipelines to distribution pipelines to service lines which run into our homes, every part of this system must be safe. I am pleased that Congress is acting to reauthorize the Office of Pipeline Safety, OPS, and bringing its resources more in line with what is needed to adequately regulate this industry. This bill would authorize 50 percent more Federal pipeline safety inspectors than the Federal Government currently has. The bill will change Federal policy to help prevent construction-related damage to pipelines by giving additional enforcement authority to OPS and authorizing grants to states to improve one-call notification programs.”