[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2276 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
S.2276
One Hundred Fourteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen
An Act
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in
pipeline transportation, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting our
Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016'' or the
``PIPES Act of 2016''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 3. Regulatory updates.
Sec. 4. Natural gas integrity management review.
Sec. 5. Hazardous liquid integrity management review.
Sec. 6. Technical safety standards committees.
Sec. 7. Inspection report information.
Sec. 8. Improving damage prevention technology.
Sec. 9. Workforce management.
Sec. 10. Information-sharing system.
Sec. 11. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database.
Sec. 12. Underground gas storage facilities.
Sec. 13. Joint inspection and oversight.
Sec. 14. Safety data sheets.
Sec. 15. Hazardous materials identification numbers.
Sec. 16. Emergency order authority.
Sec. 17. State grant funds.
Sec. 18. Response plans.
Sec. 19. Unusually sensitive areas.
Sec. 20. Pipeline safety technical assistance grants.
Sec. 21. Study of materials and corrosion prevention in pipeline
transportation.
Sec. 22. Research and development.
Sec. 23. Active and abandoned pipelines.
Sec. 24. State pipeline safety agreements.
Sec. 25. Requirements for certain hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.
Sec. 26. Study on propane gas pipeline facilities.
Sec. 27. Standards for certain liquefied natural gas pipeline
facilities.
Sec. 28. Pipeline odorization study.
Sec. 29. Report on natural gas leak reporting.
Sec. 30. Review of State policies relating to natural gas leaks.
Sec. 31. Aliso Canyon natural gas leak task force.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Gas and Hazardous Liquid.--Section 60125(a) of title 49, United
States Code is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``there is authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Transportation for each of fiscal
years 2012 through 2015, from fees collected under section 60301,
$90,679,000, of which $4,746,000 is for carrying out such section
12 and $36,194,000 is for making grants.'' and inserting the
following: ``there is authorized to be appropriated to the
Department of Transportation from fees collected under section
60301--
``(A) $124,500,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which
$9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12
and $39,385,000 shall be expended for making grants;
``(B) $128,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 of which $9,000,000
shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and
$41,885,000 shall be expended for making grants;
``(C) $131,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which
$9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12
and $44,885,000 shall be expended for making grants; and
``(D) $134,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which
$9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12
and $47,885,000 shall be expended for making grants.'';
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``there is authorized to be
appropriated for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 from the
Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out the provisions of this
chapter related to hazardous liquid and section 12 of the Pipeline
Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law
107-355), $18,573,000, of which $2,174,000 is for carrying out such
section 12 and $4,558,000 is for making grants.'' and inserting the
following: ``there is authorized to be appropriated from the Oil
Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out the provisions of this
chapter related to hazardous liquid and section 12 of the Pipeline
Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law
107-355)--
``(A) $22,123,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which $3,000,000
shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and
$8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants;
``(B) $22,123,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $3,000,000
shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and
$8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants;
``(C) $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $3,000,000
shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and
$8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants; and
``(D) $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $3,000,000
shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and
$8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Underground natural gas storage facility safety
account.--To carry out section 60141, there is authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Transportation from fees
collected under section 60302 $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2017 through 2019.''.
(b) Operational Expenses.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of Transportation for the necessary operational
expenses of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
the following amounts:
(1) $21,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.
(2) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.
(3) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.
(4) $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
(c) One-Call Notification Programs.--
(1) In general.--Section 6107 of title 49, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 6107. Funding
``Of the amounts made available under section 60125(a)(1), the
Secretary shall expend $1,058,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through
2019 to carry out section 6106.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 61 of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to
section 6107 and inserting the following:
``6107. Funding.''.
(d) Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities.--The first
sentence of section 60130(c) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows: ``Of the amounts made available under
section 2(b) of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary shall expend
$1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019 to carry out this
section.''.
(e) Pipeline Integrity Program.--Section 12(f) of the Pipeline
Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note) is amended by
striking ``2012 through 2015'' and inserting ``2016 through 2019''.
SEC. 3. REGULATORY UPDATES.
(a) Publication.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall publish
an update on a publicly available Web site of the Department of
Transportation regarding the status of a final rule for each
outstanding regulation, and upon such publication notify the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives
that such publication has been made.
(2) Deadlines.--The Secretary shall publish an update under
this subsection not later than 120 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until a final rule has
been published in the Federal Register for each outstanding
regulation.
(b) Contents.--The Secretary shall include in each update published
under subsection (a)--
(1) a description of the work plan for each outstanding
regulation;
(2) an updated rulemaking timeline for each outstanding
regulation;
(3) current staff allocations with respect to each outstanding
regulation;
(4) any resource constraints affecting the rulemaking process
for each outstanding regulation;
(5) any other details associated with the development of each
outstanding regulation that affect the progress of the rulemaking
process; and
(6) a description of all rulemakings regarding gas or hazardous
liquid pipeline facilities published in the Federal Register that
are not identified under subsection (c).
(c) Outstanding Regulation Defined.--In this section, the term
``outstanding regulation'' means--
(1) a final rule required under the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory
Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-90) that
has not been published in the Federal Register; and
(2) a final rule regarding gas or hazardous liquid pipeline
facilities required under this Act or an Act enacted prior to the
date of enactment of this Act (other than the Pipeline Safety,
Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-
90)) that has not been published in the Federal Register.
SEC. 4. NATURAL GAS INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT REVIEW.
(a) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of publication
in the Federal Register of a final rule regarding the safety of gas
transmission pipelines related to the notice of proposed rulemaking
issued on April 8, 2016, titled ``Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas
Transmission and Gathering Pipelines'' (81 Fed. Reg. 20721), the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report regarding the
integrity management programs for gas pipeline facilities required
under section 60109(c) of title 49, United States Code.
(b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) an analysis of stakeholder perspectives, taking into
consideration technical, operational, and economic feasibility,
regarding ways to enhance pipeline facility safety, prevent
inadvertent releases from pipeline facilities, and mitigate any
adverse consequences of such inadvertent releases, including
changes to the definition of high consequence area, or expanding
integrity management beyond high consequence areas;
(2) a review of the types of benefits, including safety
benefits, and estimated costs of the legacy class location
regulations;
(3) an analysis of the impact pipeline facility features,
including the age, condition, materials, and construction of a
pipeline facility, have on safety and risk analysis of a particular
pipeline facility;
(4) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State
regulators in the oversight of gas transmission pipeline facilities
and how the challenges are being addressed; and
(5) a description of any challenges affecting the natural gas
industry in complying with the programs, and how the challenges are
being addressed, including any challenges faced by publicly owned
natural gas distribution systems.
(c) Definition of High Consequence Area.--In this section, the term
``high consequence area'' has the meaning given the term in section
192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 5. HAZARDOUS LIQUID INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT REVIEW.
(a) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of publication
in the Federal Register of a final rule regarding the safety of
hazardous liquid pipeline facilities related to the notice of proposed
rulemaking issued on October 13, 2015, titled ``Pipeline Safety: Safety
of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines'' (80 Fed. Reg. 61610), the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report regarding the
integrity management programs for hazardous liquid pipeline facilities,
as regulated under sections 195.450 and 195.452 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) taking into consideration technical, operational, and
economic feasibility, an analysis of stakeholder perspectives on--
(A) ways to enhance hazardous liquid pipeline facility
safety;
(B) risk factors that may warrant more frequent inspections
of hazardous liquid pipeline facilities; and
(C) changes to the definition of high consequence area;
(2) an analysis of how surveying, assessment, mitigation, and
monitoring activities, including real-time hazardous liquid
pipeline facility monitoring during significant flood events and
information sharing with Federal agencies, are being used to
address risks associated with rivers, flood plains, lakes, and
coastal areas;
(3) an analysis of the impact pipeline facility features,
including the age, condition, materials, and construction of a
pipeline facility, have on safety and risk analysis of a particular
pipeline facility and what changes to the definition of high
consequence area could be made to improve pipeline facility safety;
and
(4) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State
regulators in the oversight of hazardous liquid pipeline facilities
and how those challenges are being addressed.
(c) Definition of High Consequence Area.--In this section, the term
``high consequence area'' has the meaning given the term in section
195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 6. TECHNICAL SAFETY STANDARDS COMMITTEES.
(a) Appointment of Members.--Section 60115(b)(4)(A) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``State commissioners. The
Secretary shall consult with the national organization of State
commissions before selecting those 2 individuals.'' and inserting
``State officials. The Secretary shall consult with national
organizations representing State commissioners or utility regulators
before making a selection under this subparagraph.''.
(b) Vacancies.--Section 60115(b) of title 49, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Within 90 days of the date of enactment of the PIPES Act of
2016, the Secretary shall fill all vacancies on the Technical Pipeline
Safety Standards Committee, the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline
Safety Standards Committee, and any other committee established
pursuant to this section. After that period, the Secretary shall fill a
vacancy on any such committee not later than 60 days after the vacancy
occurs.''.
SEC. 7. INSPECTION REPORT INFORMATION.
(a) Inspection and Maintenance.--Section 60108 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) In General.--After the completion of a Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration pipeline safety inspection, the
Administrator of such Administration, or the State authority certified
under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, to conduct such
inspection, shall--
``(1) within 30 days, conduct a post-inspection briefing
with the owner or operator of the gas or hazardous liquid
pipeline facility inspected outlining any concerns; and
``(2) within 90 days, to the extent practicable, provide
the owner or operator with written preliminary findings of the
inspection.''.
(b) Notification.--Not later than October 1, 2017, and each fiscal
year thereafter for 2 years, the Administrator shall notify the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of--
(1) the number of times a deadline under section 60108(e) of
title 49, United States Code, was exceeded in the prior fiscal
year; and
(2) in each instance, the length of time by which the deadline
was exceeded.
SEC. 8. IMPROVING DAMAGE PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Study.--The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with
stakeholders, shall conduct a study on improving existing damage
prevention programs through technological improvements in location,
mapping, excavation, and communications practices to prevent excavation
damage to a pipe or its coating, including considerations of technical,
operational, and economic feasibility and existing damage prevention
programs.
(b) Contents.--The study under subsection (a) shall include--
(1) an identification of any methods to improve existing damage
prevention programs through location and mapping practices or
technologies in an effort to reduce releases caused by excavation;
(2) an analysis of how increased use of global positioning
system digital mapping technologies, predictive analytic tools,
public awareness initiatives including one-call initiatives, the
use of mobile devices, and other advanced technologies could
supplement existing one-call notification and damage prevention
programs to reduce the frequency and severity of incidents caused
by excavation damage;
(3) an identification of any methods to improve excavation
practices or technologies in an effort to reduce pipeline damage;
(4) an analysis of the feasibility of a national data
repository for pipeline excavation accident data that creates
standardized data models for storing and sharing pipeline accident
information; and
(5) an identification of opportunities for stakeholder
engagement in preventing excavation damage.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives a report containing the
results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including
recommendations, that include the consideration of technical,
operational, and economic feasibility, on how to incorporate into
existing damage prevention programs technological improvements and
practices that help prevent excavation damage.
SEC. 9. WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT.
(a) Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate, a review of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration staff resource management, including--
(1) geographic allocation plans, hiring and time-to-hire
challenges, and expected retirement rates and recruitment and
retention strategies;
(2) an identification and description of any previous periods
of macroeconomic and pipeline industry conditions under which the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has
encountered difficulty in filling vacancies, and the degree to
which special hiring authorities, including direct hiring authority
authorized by the Office of Personnel Management, could have
ameliorated such difficulty; and
(3) recommendations to address hiring challenges, training
needs, and any other identified staff resource challenges.
(b) Direct Hiring.--Upon identification of a period described in
subsection (a)(2), the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration may apply to the Office of Personnel
Management for the authority to appoint qualified candidates to any
position relating to pipeline safety, as determined by the
Administrator, without regard to sections 3309 through 3319 of title 5,
United States Code.
(c) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section shall preclude the
Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration from applying to the Office of Personnel Management for
the authority described in subsection (b) prior to the completion of
the report required under subsection (a).
SEC. 10. INFORMATION-SHARING SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall convene a
working group to consider the development of a voluntary information-
sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection
information feedback and information sharing with the purpose of
improving gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline facility
integrity risk analysis.
(b) Membership.--The working group convened pursuant to subsection
(a) shall include representatives from--
(1) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration;
(2) industry stakeholders, including operators of pipeline
facilities, inspection technology, coating, and cathodic protection
vendors, and pipeline inspection organizations;
(3) safety advocacy groups;
(4) research institutions;
(5) State public utility commissions or State officials
responsible for pipeline safety oversight;
(6) State pipeline safety inspectors;
(7) labor representatives; and
(8) other entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(c) Considerations.--The working group convened pursuant to
subsection (a) shall consider and provide recommendations to the
Secretary on--
(1) the need for, and the identification of, a system to ensure
that dig verification data are shared with in-line inspection
operators to the extent consistent with the need to maintain
proprietary and security-sensitive data in a confidential manner to
improve pipeline safety and inspection technology;
(2) ways to encourage the exchange of pipeline inspection
information and the development of advanced pipeline inspection
technologies and enhanced risk analysis;
(3) opportunities to share data, including dig verification
data between operators of pipeline facilities and in-line inspector
vendors to expand knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of
the different types of in-line inspection technology and
methodologies;
(4) options to create a secure system that protects proprietary
data while encouraging the exchange of pipeline inspection
information and the development of advanced pipeline inspection
technologies and enhanced risk analysis;
(5) means and best practices for the protection of safety- and
security-sensitive information and proprietary information; and
(6) regulatory, funding, and legal barriers to sharing the
information described in paragraphs (1) through (4).
(d) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the recommendations
provided under subsection (c) on a publicly available Web site of the
Department of Transportation.
SEC. 11. NATIONWIDE INTEGRATED PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATORY DATABASE.
(a) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the feasibility
of establishing a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory
inspection database to improve communication and collaboration between
the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and State
pipeline regulators.
(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) a description of any efforts underway to test a secure
information-sharing system for the purpose described in subsection
(a);
(2) a description of any progress in establishing common
standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting pipeline
safety regulatory inspection data, and a methodology for sharing
the data;
(3) a description of any inadequacies or gaps in State and
Federal inspection, enforcement, geospatial, or other pipeline
safety regulatory inspection data;
(4) a description of the potential safety benefits of a
national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database;
and
(5) recommendations, including those of stakeholders for how to
implement a secure information-sharing system that protects
proprietary and security sensitive information and data for the
purpose described in subsection (a).
(c) Consultation.--In implementing this section, the Secretary
shall consult with stakeholders, including each State authority
operating under a certification to regulate intrastate pipelines under
section 60105 of title 49, United States Code.
(d) Establishment of Database.--The Secretary may establish, if
appropriate, a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory
database--
(1) after submission of the report required under subsection
(a); or
(2) upon notification to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate of the need to establish such
database prior to the submission of the report under subsection
(a).
SEC. 12. UNDERGROUND GAS STORAGE FACILITIES.
(a) Defined Term.--Section 60101(a) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (21)(B) by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (22)(B)(iii) by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon;
(3) in paragraph (24) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(4) in paragraph (25) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(26) `underground natural gas storage facility' means a gas
pipeline facility that stores natural gas in an underground
facility, including--
``(A) a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir;
``(B) an aquifer reservoir; or
``(C) a solution-mined salt cavern reservoir.''.
(b) Standards for Underground Gas Storage Facilities.--Chapter 601
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 60141. Standards for underground natural gas storage facilities
``(a) Minimum Safety Standards.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary, in
consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall
issue minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage
facilities.
``(b) Considerations.--In developing the safety standards required
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable--
``(1) consider consensus standards for the operation,
environmental protection, and integrity management of underground
natural gas storage facilities;
``(2) consider the economic impacts of the regulations on
individual gas customers;
``(3) ensure that the regulations do not have a significant
economic impact on end users; and
``(4) consider the recommendations of the Aliso Canyon natural
gas leak task force established under section 31 of the PIPES Act
of 2016.
``(c) Federal-State Cooperation.--The Secretary may authorize a
State authority (including a municipality) to participate in the
oversight of underground natural gas storage facilities in the same
manner as provided in sections 60105 and 60106.
``(d) Rules of Construction.--
``(1) In general.--Nothing in this section may be construed to
affect any Federal regulation relating to gas pipeline facilities
that is in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the
PIPES Act of 2016.
``(2) Limitations.--Nothing in this section may be construed to
authorize the Secretary--
``(A) to prescribe the location of an underground natural
gas storage facility; or
``(B) to require the Secretary's permission to construct a
facility referred to in subparagraph (A).
``(e) Preemption.--A State authority may adopt additional or more
stringent safety standards for intrastate underground natural gas
storage facilities if such standards are compatible with the minimum
standards prescribed under this section.
``(f) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to affect the Secretary's authority under this title to
regulate the underground storage of gas that is not natural gas.''.
(c) User Fees.--Chapter 603 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 60301 the following:
``Sec. 60302. User fees for underground natural gas storage facilities
``(a) In General.--A fee shall be imposed on an entity operating an
underground natural gas storage facility subject to section 60141. Any
such fee imposed shall be collected before the end of the fiscal year
to which it applies.
``(b) Means of Collection.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
prescribe procedures to collect fees under this section. The Secretary
may use a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States
Government or of a State or local government to collect the fee and may
reimburse the department, agency, or instrumentality a reasonable
amount for its services.
``(c) Use of Fees.--
``(1) Account.--There is established an Underground Natural Gas
Storage Facility Safety Account in the Pipeline Safety Fund
established in the Treasury of the United States under section
60301.
``(2) Use of fees.--A fee collected under this section--
``(A) shall be deposited in the Underground Natural Gas
Storage Facility Safety Account; and
``(B) if the fee is related to an underground natural gas
storage facility subject to section 60141, the amount of the
fee may be used only for an activity related to underground
natural gas storage facility safety.
``(3) Limitation.--No fee may be collected under this section,
except to the extent that the expenditure of such fee to pay the
costs of an activity related to underground natural gas storage
facility safety for which such fee is imposed is provided in
advance in an appropriations Act.''.
(d) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) Chapter 601.--The table of sections for chapter 601 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``60141. Standards for underground natural gas storage facilities.''.
(2) Chapter 603.--The table of sections for chapter 603 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 60301 the following:
``60302. User fees for underground natural gas storage facilities.''.
SEC. 13. JOINT INSPECTION AND OVERSIGHT.
Section 60106 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(f) Joint Inspectors.--At the request of a State authority, the
Secretary shall allow for a certified State authority under section
60105 to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipeline
facility.''.
SEC. 14. SAFETY DATA SHEETS.
(a) In General.--Each owner or operator of a hazardous liquid
pipeline facility, following an accident involving such pipeline
facility that results in a hazardous liquid spill, shall provide safety
data sheets on any spilled hazardous liquid to the designated Federal
On-Scene Coordinator and appropriate State and local emergency
responders within 6 hours of a telephonic or electronic notice of the
accident to the National Response Center.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Federal on-scene coordinator.--The term ``Federal On-Scene
Coordinator'' has the meaning given such term in section 311(a) of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(a)).
(2) National response center.--The term ``National Response
Center'' means the center described under section 300.125(a) of
title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(3) Safety data sheet.--The term ``safety data sheet'' means a
safety data sheet required under section 1910.1200 of title 29,
Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 15. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Transportation shall issue an advanced notice of proposed
rulemaking to take public comment on the petition for rulemaking dated
October 28, 2015, titled ``Corrections to Title 49 CFR 172.336
Identification numbers; special provisions'' (P-1667).
SEC. 16. EMERGENCY ORDER AUTHORITY.
Section 60117 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(o) Emergency Order Authority.--
``(1) In general.--If the Secretary determines that an unsafe
condition or practice, or a combination of unsafe conditions and
practices, constitutes or is causing an imminent hazard, the
Secretary may issue an emergency order described in paragraph (3)
imposing emergency restrictions, prohibitions, and safety measures
on owners and operators of gas or hazardous liquid pipeline
facilities without prior notice or an opportunity for a hearing,
but only to the extent necessary to abate the imminent hazard.
``(2) Considerations.--
``(A) In general.--Before issuing an emergency order under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider, as appropriate,
the following factors:
``(i) The impact of the emergency order on public
health and safety.
``(ii) The impact, if any, of the emergency order on
the national or regional economy or national security.
``(iii) The impact of the emergency order on the
ability of owners and operators of pipeline facilities to
maintain reliability and continuity of service to
customers.
``(B) Consultation.--In considering the factors under
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult, as the Secretary
determines appropriate, with appropriate Federal agencies,
State agencies, and other entities knowledgeable in pipeline
safety or operations.
``(3) Written order.--An emergency order issued by the
Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) with respect to an imminent
hazard shall contain a written description of--
``(A) the violation, condition, or practice that
constitutes or is causing the imminent hazard;
``(B) the entities subject to the order;
``(C) the restrictions, prohibitions, or safety measures
imposed;
``(D) the standards and procedures for obtaining relief
from the order;
``(E) how the order is tailored to abate the imminent
hazard and the reasons the authorities under section 60112 and
60117(l) are insufficient to do so; and
``(F) how the considerations were taken into account
pursuant to paragraph (2).
``(4) Opportunity for review.--Upon receipt of a petition for
review from an entity subject to, and aggrieved by, an emergency
order issued under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide an
opportunity for a review of the order under section 554 of title 5
to determine whether the order should remain in effect, be
modified, or be terminated.
``(5) Expiration of effectiveness order.--If a petition for
review of an emergency order is filed under paragraph (4) and an
agency decision with respect to the petition is not issued on or
before the last day of the 30-day period beginning on the date on
which the petition is filed, the order shall cease to be effective
on such day, unless the Secretary determines in writing on or
before the last day of such period that the imminent hazard still
exists.
``(6) Judicial review of orders.--
``(A) In general.--After completion of the review process
described in paragraph (4), or the issuance of a written
determination by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (5), an
entity subject to, and aggrieved by, an emergency order issued
under this subsection may seek judicial review of the order in
a district court of the United States and shall be given
expedited consideration.
``(B) Limitation.--The filing of a petition for review
under subparagraph (A) shall not stay or modify the force and
effect of the agency's final decision under paragraph (4), or
the written determination under paragraph (5), unless stayed or
modified by the Secretary.
``(7) Regulations.--
``(A) Temporary regulations.--Not later than 60 days after
the date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary
shall issue such temporary regulations as are necessary to
carry out this subsection. The temporary regulations shall
expire on the date of issuance of the final regulations
required under subparagraph (B).
``(B) Final regulations.--Not later than 270 days after
such date of enactment, the Secretary shall issue such
regulations as are necessary to carry out this subsection. Such
regulations shall ensure that the review process described in
paragraph (4) contains the same procedures as subsections (d)
and (g) of section 109.19 of title 49, Code of Federal
Regulations, and is otherwise consistent with the review
process developed under such section, to the greatest extent
practicable and not inconsistent with this section.
``(8) Imminent hazard defined.--In this subsection, the term
`imminent hazard' means the existence of a condition relating to a
gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility that presents a
substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, severe personal
injury, or a substantial endangerment to health, property, or the
environment may occur before the reasonably foreseeable completion
date of a formal proceeding begun to lessen the risk of such death,
illness, injury, or endangerment.
``(9) Limitation and savings clause.--An emergency order issued
under this subsection may not be construed to--
``(A) alter, amend, or limit the Secretary's obligations
under, or the applicability of, section 553 of title 5; or
``(B) provide the authority to amend the Code of Federal
Regulations.''.
SEC. 17. STATE GRANT FUNDS.
Section 60107 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Payments.--After notifying and consulting with a State
authority, the Secretary may withhold any part of a payment when the
Secretary decides that the authority is not carrying out satisfactorily
a safety program or not acting satisfactorily as an agent. The
Secretary may pay an authority under this section only when the
authority ensures the Secretary that it will provide the remaining
costs of a safety program, except when the Secretary waives this
requirement.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Repurposing of Funds.--If a State program's certification is
rejected under section 60105(f) or such program is otherwise suspended
or interrupted, the Secretary may use any undistributed, deobligated,
or recovered funds authorized under this section to carry out pipeline
safety activities for that State within the period of availability for
such funds.''.
SEC. 18. RESPONSE PLANS.
Each owner or operator of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility
required to prepare a response plan pursuant to part 194 of title 49,
Code of Federal Regulations, shall--
(1) consider the impact of a discharge into or on navigable
waters or adjoining shorelines, including those that may be covered
in whole or in part by ice; and
(2) include procedures and resources for responding to such
discharge in the plan.
SEC. 19. UNUSUALLY SENSITIVE AREAS.
(a) Areas To Be Included as Unusually Sensitive.--Section
60109(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
``have been identified as'' and inserting ``are part of the Great Lakes
or have been identified as coastal beaches, marine coastal waters,''.
(b) Unusually Sensitive Areas (USA) Ecological Resources.--The
Secretary of Transportation shall revise section 195.6(b) of title 49,
Code of Federal Regulations, to explicitly state that the Great Lakes,
coastal beaches, and marine coastal waters are USA ecological resources
for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence
area (as defined in section 195.450 of such title).
SEC. 20. PIPELINE SAFETY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.
(a) Public Participation Limitation.--Section 60130(a)(4) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``on technical pipeline
safety issues'' after ``public participation''.
(b) Audit.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation
shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating
the grant program under section 60130 of title 49, United States Code.
The report shall include--
(1) a list of the recipients of all grant funds during fiscal
years 2010 through 2015;
(2) a description of how each grant was used;
(3) an analysis of the compliance with the terms of grant
agreements, including subsections (a) and (b) of such section;
(4) an evaluation of the competitive process used to award the
grant funds; and
(5) an evaluation of--
(A) the ability of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration to oversee grant funds and usage; and
(B) the procedures used for such oversight.
SEC. 21. STUDY OF MATERIALS AND CORROSION PREVENTION IN PIPELINE
TRANSPORTATION.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
study on materials, training, and corrosion prevention technologies for
gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.
(b) Requirements.--The study required under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) an analysis of--
(A) the range of piping materials, including plastic
materials, used to transport hazardous liquids and natural gas
in the United States and in other developed countries around
the world;
(B) the types of technologies used for corrosion
prevention, including coatings and cathodic protection;
(C) common causes of corrosion, including interior and
exterior moisture buildup and impacts of moisture buildup under
insulation; and
(D) the training provided to personnel responsible for
identifying and preventing corrosion in pipelines, and for
repairing such pipelines;
(2) the extent to which best practices or guidance relating to
pipeline facility design, installation, operation, and maintenance,
including training, are available to recognize or prevent
corrosion;
(3) an analysis of the estimated costs and anticipated
benefits, including safety benefits, associated with the use of
such materials and technologies; and
(4) stakeholder and expert perspectives on the effectiveness of
corrosion control techniques to reduce the incidence of corrosion-
related pipeline failures.
SEC. 22. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of
Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
report regarding the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration's research and development program carried out under
section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C.
60101 note). The report shall include an evaluation of--
(1) compliance with the consultation requirement under
subsection (d)(2) of such section;
(2) the extent to which the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration enters into joint research ventures with
Federal and non-Federal entities, and benefits thereof;
(3) the policies and procedures the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration has put in place to ensure there
are no conflicts of interest with administering grants pursuant to
the program, and whether those policies and procedures are being
followed; and
(4) an evaluation of the outcomes of research conducted with
Federal and non-Federal entities and the degree to which such
outcomes have been adopted or utilized.
(b) Collaborative Safety Research Report.--
(1) Biennial reports.--Section 60124(a)(6) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) a summary of each research and development project
carried out with Federal and non-Federal entities pursuant to
section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 and a
review of how the project affects safety.''.
(2) Pipeline safety improvement act.--Section 12 of the
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note) is
amended--
(A) by striking subsection (d)(3)(C) and inserting the
following:
``(C) Funding from non-federal sources.--The Secretary
shall ensure that--
``(i) at least 30 percent of the costs of technology
research and development activities may be carried out
using non-Federal sources;
``(ii) at least 20 percent of the costs of basic
research and development with universities may be carried
out using non-Federal sources; and
``(iii) up to 100 percent of the costs of research and
development for purely governmental purposes may be carried
out using Federal funds.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Independent Experts.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary shall--
``(1) implement processes and procedures to ensure that
activities listed under subsection (c), to the greatest extent
practicable, produce results that are peer-reviewed by independent
experts and not by persons or entities that have a financial
interest in the pipeline, petroleum, or natural gas industries, or
that would be directly impacted by the results of the projects; and
``(2) submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report describing the processes and
procedures implemented under paragraph (1).
``(i) Conflict of Interest.--The Secretary shall take all practical
steps to ensure that each recipient of an agreement under this section
discloses in writing to the Secretary any conflict of interest on a
research and development project carried out under this section, and
includes any such disclosure as part of the final deliverable pursuant
to such agreement. The Secretary may not make an award under this
section directly to a pipeline owner or operator that is regulated by
the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration or a State-
certified regulatory authority if there is a conflict of interest
relating to such owner or operator.''.
SEC. 23. ACTIVE AND ABANDONED PIPELINES.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Transportation shall issue an advisory bulletin to owners
and operators of gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities and
Federal and State pipeline safety personnel regarding procedures of the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration required to
change the status of a pipeline facility from active to abandoned,
including specific guidance on the terms recognized by the Secretary
for each pipeline status referred to in such advisory bulletin.
SEC. 24. STATE PIPELINE SAFETY AGREEMENTS.
(a) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall complete a
study on State pipeline safety agreements made pursuant to section
60106 of title 49, United States Code. Such study shall consider the
following:
(1) The integration of Federal and State or local authorities
in carrying out activities pursuant to an agreement under such
section.
(2) The estimated staff and other resources used by Federal and
State authorities in carrying out inspection activities pursuant to
agreements under such section.
(3) The estimated staff and other resources used by the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in carrying
out interstate inspections in areas where there is no interstate
agreement with a State pursuant to such section.
(b) Notice Requirement for Denial.--Section 60106(b) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Notice upon denial.--If a State authority requests an
interstate agreement under this section and the Secretary denies
such request, the Secretary shall provide written notification to
the State authority of the denial that includes an explanation of
the reasons for such denial.''.
SEC. 25. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE
FACILITIES.
Section 60109 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(g) Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Facilities.--
``(1) Integrity assessments.--Notwithstanding any pipeline
integrity management program or integrity assessment schedule
otherwise required by the Secretary, each operator of a pipeline
facility to which this subsection applies shall ensure that
pipeline integrity assessments--
``(A) using internal inspection technology appropriate for
the integrity threat are completed not less often than once
every 12 months; and
``(B) using pipeline route surveys, depth of cover surveys,
pressure tests, external corrosion direct assessment, or other
technology that the operator demonstrates can further the
understanding of the condition of the pipeline facility are
completed on a schedule based on the risk that the pipeline
facility poses to the high consequence area in which the
pipeline facility is located.
``(2) Application.--This subsection shall apply to any
underwater hazardous liquid pipeline facility located in a high
consequence area--
``(A) that is not an offshore pipeline facility; and
``(B) any portion of which is located at depths greater
than 150 feet under the surface of the water.
``(3) High consequence area defined.--For purposes of this
subsection, the term `high consequence area' has the meaning given
that term in section 195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal
Regulations.
``(4) Inspection and enforcement.--The Secretary shall conduct
inspections under section 60117(c) to determine whether each
operator of a pipeline facility to which this subsection applies is
complying with this section.''.
SEC. 26. STUDY ON PROPANE GAS PIPELINE FACILITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall enter into
an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the National
Academies to conduct a study examining the safety, regulatory
requirements, techniques, and best practices applicable to pipeline
facilities that transport or store only petroleum gas or mixtures of
petroleum gas and air to 100 or fewer customers, in accordance with the
requirements of this section.
(b) Requirements.--In conducting the study pursuant to subsection
(a), the Transportation Research Board shall analyze--
(1) Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements
applicable to pipeline facilities described in subsection (a);
(2) techniques and best practices relating to the design,
installation, operation, and maintenance of such pipeline
facilities; and
(3) the costs and benefits, including safety benefits,
associated with such applicable regulatory requirements and the use
of such techniques and best practices.
(c) Participation.--In conducting the study pursuant to subsection
(a), the Transportation Research Board shall consult with Federal,
State, and local governments, private sector entities, and consumer and
pipeline safety advocates, as appropriate.
(d) Deadline.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate the results of the study
conducted pursuant to subsection (a) and any recommendations for
improving the safety of such pipeline facilities.
(e) Definition.--In this section, the term ``petroleum gas'' has
the meaning given that term in section 192.3 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 27. STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS PIPELINE
FACILITIES.
(a) National Security.--Section 60103(a) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting ``;
and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) national security.''.
(b) Update to Minimum Safety Standards.--The Secretary of
Transportation shall review and update the minimum safety standards
prescribed pursuant to section 60103 of title 49, United States Code,
for permanent, small scale liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities.
(c) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to
limit the Secretary's authority under chapter 601 of title 49, United
States Code, to regulate liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities.
SEC. 28. PIPELINE ODORIZATION STUDY.
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives that
assesses--
(1) the feasibility, costs, and benefits of odorizing all
combustible gas in pipeline transportation; and
(2) the affects of the odorization of all combustible gas in
pipeline transportation on--
(A) manufacturers, agriculture, and other end users; and
(B) public health and safety.
SEC. 29. REPORT ON NATURAL GAS LEAK REPORTING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration shall submit to Congress a report on
the metrics provided to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration and other Federal and State agencies related to lost and
unaccounted for natural gas from distribution pipelines and systems.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include the following elements:
(1) An examination of different reporting requirements or
standards for lost and unaccounted for natural gas to different
agencies, the reasons for any such discrepancies, and
recommendations for harmonizing and improving the accuracy of
reporting.
(2) An analysis of whether separate or alternative reporting
could better measure the amounts and identify the location of lost
and unaccounted for natural gas from natural gas distribution
systems.
(3) A description of potential safety issues associated with
natural gas that is lost and unaccounted for from natural gas
distribution systems.
(4) An assessment of whether alternate reporting and measures
will resolve any safety issues identified under paragraph (3),
including an analysis of the potential impact, including potential
savings, on rate payers and end users of natural gas products of
such reporting and measures.
(c) Consideration of Recommendations.--If the Administrator
determines that alternate reporting structures or recommendations
included in the report required under subsection (a) would
significantly improve the reporting and measurement of lost and
unaccounted for gas and safety of natural gas distribution systems, the
Administrator shall, not later than 1 year after making such
determination, issue regulations, as the Administrator determines
appropriate, to implement the recommendations.
SEC. 30. REVIEW OF STATE POLICIES RELATING TO NATURAL GAS LEAKS.
(a) Review.--The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration shall conduct a State-by-State review
of State-level policies that--
(1) encourage the repair and replacement of leaking natural gas
distribution pipelines or systems that pose a safety threat, such
as timelines to repair leaks and limits on cost recovery from
ratepayers; and
(2) may create barriers for entities to conduct work to repair
and replace leaking natural gas pipelines or distribution systems.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing the
findings of the review conducted under subsection (a) and
recommendations on Federal or State policies or best practices to
improve safety by accelerating the repair and replacement of natural
gas pipelines or systems that are leaking or releasing natural gas. The
report shall consider the potential impact, including potential
savings, of the implementation of such recommendations on ratepayers or
end users of the natural gas pipeline system.
(c) Implementation of Recommendations.--If the Administrator
determines that the recommendations made under subsection (b) would
significantly improve pipeline safety, the Administrator shall, not
later than 1 year after making such determination, and in coordination
with the heads of other relevant agencies as appropriate, issue
regulations, as the Administrator determines appropriate, to implement
the recommendations.
SEC. 31. ALISO CANYON NATURAL GAS LEAK TASK FORCE.
(a) Establishment of Task Force.--Not later than 15 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall lead and
establish an Aliso Canyon natural gas leak task force.
(b) Membership of Task Force.--In addition to the Secretary, the
task force established under subsection (a) shall be composed of--
(1) 1 representative from the Department of Transportation;
(2) 1 representative from the Department of Health and Human
Services;
(3) 1 representative from the Environmental Protection Agency;
(4) 1 representative from the Department of the Interior;
(5) 1 representative from the Department of Commerce;
(6) 1 representative from the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission; and
(7) representatives of State and local governments, as
determined appropriate by the Secretary and the Administrator.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the task force established under subsection
(a) shall submit a final report that contains the information
described in paragraph (2) to--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives;
(C) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
Senate;
(D) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate;
(F) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives;
(G) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
of the Senate;
(H) the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the
House of Representatives;
(I) the President; and
(J) relevant Federal and State agencies.
(2) Information included.--The report submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include--
(A) an analysis and conclusion of the cause and
contributing factors of the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak;
(B) an analysis of measures taken to stop the natural gas
leak, with an immediate focus on other, more effective measures
that could be taken;
(C) an assessment of the impact of the natural gas leak
on--
(i) health, safety, and the environment;
(ii) wholesale and retail electricity prices; and
(iii) the reliability of the bulk-power system;
(D) an analysis of how Federal, State, and local agencies
responded to the natural gas leak;
(E) in order to lessen the negative impacts of leaks from
underground natural gas storage facilities, recommendations on
how to improve--
(i) the response to a future leak; and
(ii) coordination between all appropriate Federal,
State, and local agencies in the response to the Aliso
Canyon natural gas leak and future natural gas leaks;
(F) an analysis of the potential for a similar natural gas
leak to occur at other underground natural gas storage
facilities in the United States;
(G) recommendations on how to prevent any future natural
gas leaks;
(H) recommendations regarding Aliso Canyon and other
underground natural gas storage facilities located in close
proximity to residential populations;
(I) any recommendations on information that is not
currently collected but that would be in the public interest to
collect and distribute to agencies and institutions for the
continued study and monitoring of natural gas storage
infrastructure in the United States; and
(J) any other recommendations, as appropriate.
(3) Publication.--The final report under paragraph (1) shall be
made available to the public in an electronically accessible
format.
(4) Findings.--If, before the final report is submitted under
paragraph (1), the task force established under subsection (a)
finds methods to solve the natural gas leak at Aliso Canyon, finds
methods to better protect the affected communities, or finds
methods to help prevent other leaks, the task force shall
immediately submit such findings to the entities described in
subparagraphs (A) through (J) of paragraph (1).
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.