Joe Manchin

Automated valves absolutely improve safety but only in conjunction with a rapid well coordinated response.

We have to do better.

How could that happen? And if that's the case and we have all these lines out there and we're much more dependent now, and I think we're going to be sometime in the future on natural gas, how vulnerable are we as a society?

I think the concept of oversight is very important.

Are you all working with the company's operators, people responsible for the lines so that we all come up with a conclusion on what's the best method to take?

Why don't they just shut this thing off? Why is it still burning?

Is your thought process changing on that now?

I want to thank Senator Rockefeller for his leadership as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to make sure that our pipelines are constructed, maintained, and operated safely.

Not that it always causes the world to change vastly for the better but that it's there, that it's asking questions.

Let me just say on my behalf in closing, I want to thank Senator Rockefeller for inviting me to be part of this hearing today.

We agree with the Administrator that the Federal Government should have authority to regulate these lines.

We agree with NTSB that such valves should require the automatic or remote shutoff valves.

Certainly PHMSA can and must do more to regulate better regardless of budget.

My final question, very quickly, is if that line had deteriorated to one-third of the actual size it should have been to carry safely the pressures it was carrying, it led me to believe that maybe there was other parts of that line that…

I'm pleased with the progress that we made in last year's law, I pushed for stronger requirements to move pipeline safety even further ahead.

I just want to thank him again. It's a pleasure to serve with him and an honor.

We can't count on being that lucky the next time. The best thing that we can do is to make sure there is no next time ultimately.

The thing that comes to mind is the BP oil spill, and I think to all of our amazement how that thing could have blown for so long and spewed out for so long and we didn't have the right equipment, if you would.

I remember, it had to be about 20 years ago in Farmington, we had a horrific explosion, the same type.

First, I thank both of my colleagues for their diligent work. They committed themselves to this work, and I appreciate it. They keep us all informed. (The remarks of Mr. Manchin pertaining to the introduction of (S. 3714) are located in…

FEMA has been a trusted and valuable partner every step of the way.

West Virginians need support, as do so many others, which is why the administration and Congress must make sure that a disaster relief package fully takes into account every impacted State's unique recovery needs.

Supplemental recovery funding is critical, and I hope that it will transcend the politics that have too often left this institution gridlocked.

On behalf of all West Virginians, and especially those affected by Superstorm Sandy, thank you for your leadership on the important topic of our Federal Government's response to natural disasters.

The State of West Virginia has had its fair share of disasters in 2012.