[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 181 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 181

    Designating June 10, 2009, as ``National Pipeline Safety Day''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 10, 2009

  Mrs. Murray (for herself and Ms. Cantwell) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Designating June 10, 2009, as ``National Pipeline Safety Day''.

Whereas there are more than 2,000,000 miles of gas and hazardous liquid 
        pipelines in the United States that are operated by more than 3,000 
        companies;
Whereas gas and hazardous liquid pipelines play a vital role in the lives of 
        people in the United States by delivering the energy needed to heat 
        homes, drive cars, cook food and operate businesses;
Whereas, during the last decade, significant new pipelines have been built to 
        help move North American sources of oil and gas to refineries and 
        markets;
Whereas, on June 10, 1999, a hazardous liquid pipeline ruptured and exploded in 
        a park in Bellingham, Washington, killing 2 10-year-old boys and a young 
        man, destroying a salmon stream, and causing hundreds of millions of 
        dollars in damage and economic disruption;
Whereas, in response to the pipeline tragedy on June 10, 1999, Congress enacted 
        significant new pipeline safety regulations, including in the Pipeline 
        Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-355; 116 Stat. 2985) and 
        the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 
        (Public Law 109-468; 120 Stat. 3486);
Whereas, during the last decade, the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety 
        Administration of the Department of Transportation, with support from a 
        diverse group of stakeholders, has instituted a variety of important new 
        rules and pipeline safety initiatives, such as the Common Ground 
        Alliance, pipeline emergency training with the National Association of 
        State Fire Marshals, and the Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance;
Whereas, even with pipeline safety improvements, in 2008 there were 274 
        significant pipeline incidents that caused more than $395,000,000 of 
        damage to property and disrupted the economy;
Whereas, even though pipelines are the safest method to transport huge 
        quantities of fuel, pipeline incidents are still occurring, including 
        the pipeline explosion in Edison, New Jersey, in 1994 that left 100 
        people homeless, the butane pipeline explosion in Texas in 1996 that 
        left 2 teenagers dead, the pipeline explosion near Carlsbad, New Mexico, 
        in 2000 that killed 12 people in an extended family, the pipeline 
        explosion in Walnut Creek, California, in 2004 that killed 5 workers, 
        and the propane pipeline explosion in Mississippi in 2007 that killed a 
        teenager and her grandmother;
Whereas the millions of miles of pipelines are still ``out of sight'', and 
        therefore ``out of mind'' for the majority of people, local governments, 
        and businesses in the United States, a situation that can lead to 
        pipeline damage and a general lack of oversight of pipelines;
Whereas greater awareness of pipelines and pipeline safety can improve public 
        safety;
Whereas a ``National Pipeline Safety Day'' can provide a focal point for 
        creating greater pipeline safety awareness; and
Whereas June 10, 2009, is the 10th anniversary of the Bellingham, Washington, 
        pipeline tragedy that was the impetus for many of the safety 
        improvements described in this resolution and is an appropriate day to 
        designate as ``National Pipeline Safety Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates June 10, 2009, as ``National Pipeline Safety 
        Day'';
            (2) encourages State and local governments to observe the 
        day with appropriate activities that promote pipeline safety;
            (3) encourages all pipeline safety stakeholders to use the 
        day to create greater public awareness of all the advancements 
        that can lead to greater pipeline safety; and
            (4) encourages individuals throughout the United States to 
        become more aware of the pipelines that run through communities 
        in the United States and to encourage safe practices and damage 
        prevention relating to gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
                                 <all>