[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4983 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4983

To amend title 49, United States Code, to require the establishment of 
an Office of Public Engagement in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
             Safety Administration, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 1, 2024

  Mr. Markey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title 49, United States Code, to require the establishment of 
an Office of Public Engagement in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
             Safety Administration, 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 ``Pipeline 
Accountability, Safety, and Environmental Standards Act of 2024''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
             TITLE I--SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS

Sec. 101. Factors for consideration in prescribing standards.
Sec. 102. Cost-benefit analyses.
Sec. 103. Technical safety standards committees.
Sec. 104. Application of regulations to existing pipelines.
Sec. 105. Rupture-mitigation valves on pipelines in high consequence 
                            areas.
Sec. 106. Safety of carbon dioxide pipelines.
Sec. 107. Blending of hydrogen in natural gas systems.
Sec. 108. Extension and modification of Natural Gas Distribution 
                            Infrastructure Safety and Modernization 
                            Grant Program.
Sec. 109. Rulemaking on underground natural gas storage.
              TITLE II--PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY

Sec. 201. Office of Public Engagement.
Sec. 202. Disclosure of safety data.
Sec. 203. Reporting of blended products.
Sec. 204. Incident reporting for gas pipelines.
                       TITLE III--ACCOUNTABILITY

Sec. 301. Prohibition against releases.
Sec. 302. Actions by private persons.
Sec. 303. Penalties.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
        Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
            (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
                    (C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
                House of Representatives.
            (3) Environment.--The term ``environment'' includes--
                    (A) water, air, and land; and
                    (B) the interrelationship that exists among and 
                between water, air, and land and all present and future 
                generations of living beings.
            (4) Environmental.--The term ``environmental'' means 
        relating to or concerning the environment.
            (5) Incident.--The term ``incident'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 191.3 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or a successor regulation).
            (6) Natural gas.--The term ``natural gas'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 2 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 
        717a).
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the 
        Administration.

             TITLE I--SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS

SEC. 101. FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRESCRIBING STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--Section 60102(b)(2) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) the need to mitigate negative impacts to the 
                global climate and avoid unnecessarily prolonging the 
                life span of fossil fuel infrastructure; and
                    ``(I) transition plans toward non-emitting 
                alternatives.''.
    (b) Definition.--
            (1) In general.--Section 60101(a) of title 49, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (25), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (22)(B)(iii), by inserting ``and'' 
                after the semicolon at the end;
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (17) through (26) 
                as paragraphs (18), (19), (20), (24), (25), (26), (21), 
                (22), (23), and (27), respectively, and moving the 
                paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order; and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (16) the 
                following:
            ``(17) `non-emitting alternative' means a technological or 
        efficiency-related energy solution that does not entail the use 
        of fossil fuels that are directly or indirectly related to the 
        greenhouse effect, including electrification, renewable energy 
        sources, networked geothermal systems, storage, efficiency, and 
        behavior change;''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 70012(c) of title 46, United States 
                Code, is amended by striking ``section 60101(a)(18)'' 
                and inserting ``section 60101(a)''.
                    (B) Section 60102(q)(1) of title 49, United States 
                Code, is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A), by striking ``subsection (a)(21)'' and inserting 
                ``subsection (a)(25)''.

SEC. 102. COST-BENEFIT ANALYSES.

    Section 60102(b) of title 49, United States Code (as amended by 
section 101), is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraphs (D) and (E); and
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (I) 
                as subparagraphs (D) through (G), respectively; and
            (2) by striking paragraphs (3) through (7).

SEC. 103. TECHNICAL SAFETY STANDARDS COMMITTEES.

    (a) In General.--Section 60115 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking the third sentence;
            (2) in subsection (b)(4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) by striking the second and third 
                        sentences and inserting the following:
    ``(ii) None of the individuals selected for a committee under 
paragraph (3)(C) may have a financial interest in the pipeline, 
petroleum, ethanol, or gas industries, including through direct 
ownership, consulting fees, wages, or research funding provided 
directly to the individual, but not including any compensation for a 
pipeline easement on the property of the individual.''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``(C) Two'' and inserting 
                        the following:
    ``(C)(i) Two''; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the 
                following:
    ``(iii) All individuals under consideration for selection for a 
committee under paragraph (3)(C) shall submit to the Secretary such 
financial records for the previous year as the Secretary determines 
necessary to evaluate compliance with clause (ii). All individuals 
selected for a committee under paragraph (3)(C) shall submit to the 
Secretary, prior to appointment and annually thereafter for so long as 
the individual is a member of the committee, such financial records for 
the previous year as the Secretary determines necessary to evaluate 
compliance with clause (ii).
    ``(iv) The Secretary shall provide reasonable compensation for 
members of each committee that are appointed under paragraph (3)(C). 
Such compensation shall not make a member of a committee an officer or 
employee of the Federal Government in determining eligibility for 
membership on the applicable committee.''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``Committee each standard proposed under this 
                        chapter for transporting gas and for gas 
                        pipeline facilities including the risk 
                        assessment information and other analyses 
                        supporting each proposed standard;'' and 
                        inserting the following: ``Committee--
                    ``(i) each standard proposed under this chapter 
                for--
                            ``(I) transporting gas; or
                            ``(II) gas pipeline facilities; and
                    ``(ii) analyses supporting each proposed standard 
                described in clause (i);''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``Committee each standard proposed under this 
                        chapter for transporting hazardous liquid and 
                        for hazardous liquid pipeline facilities 
                        including the risk assessment information and 
                        other analyses supporting each proposed 
                        standard.'' and inserting the following: 
                        ``Committee--
                    ``(i) each standard proposed under this chapter 
                for--
                            ``(I) transporting hazardous liquid; or
                            ``(II) hazardous liquid pipeline 
                        facilities; and
                    ``(ii) analyses supporting each proposed standard 
                described in clause (i).''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), in the first sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``cost-effectiveness,''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by inserting ``, and the strength of 
                        the proposed standard to promote safety and 
                        protect the environment (as defined in section 
                        2 of the Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and 
                        Environmental Standards Act of 2024),'' before 
                        ``and include''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section and 
the amendments made by this section.

SEC. 104. APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS TO EXISTING PIPELINES.

    (a) In General.--Section 60104(b) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking 
        ``Nonapplication'' and inserting ``Application'';
            (2) by striking ``does not apply'' and inserting ``may be 
        applied''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following: ``The authority of 
        the Secretary to apply any standard promulgated pursuant to 
        this chapter (including any standard promulgated prior to the 
        date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and 
        Environmental Standards Act of 2024) shall not be limited by 
        virtue of a pipeline preexisting the issuance of that 
        standard.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 60109(c) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (11); and
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph (11).

SEC. 105. RUPTURE-MITIGATION VALVES ON PIPELINES IN HIGH CONSEQUENCE 
              AREAS.

    Section 60109(c) of title 49, United States Code (as amended by 
section 104(b)(2)), is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) Rupture-mitigation valves on pipelines in high 
        consequence areas.--
                    ``(A) Definitions.--
                            ``(i) Class 3 or 4 location.--The term 
                        `Class 3 or 4 location', with respect to a gas 
                        pipeline facility, means, as applicable--
                                    ``(I) a Class 3 location (as 
                                defined in section 192.5(b) of title 
                                49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
                                successor regulation)); or
                                    ``(II) a Class 4 location (as 
                                defined in that section).
                            ``(ii) Covered location.--The term `covered 
                        location' means--
                                    ``(I) a high consequence area; and
                                    ``(II) a location where a rupture 
                                could affect--
                                            ``(aa) a high consequence 
                                        area; or
                                            ``(bb) a Class 3 or 4 
                                        location.
                            ``(iii) Covered pipeline.--The term 
                        `covered pipeline' means an existing or newly 
                        constructed pipeline, 6 inches or greater in 
                        diameter, that is--
                                    ``(I) a gas transmission pipeline;
                                    ``(II) a type A onshore gathering 
                                pipeline (as described in section 
                                192.8(c) of title 49, Code of Federal 
                                Regulations (or a successor 
                                regulation));
                                    ``(III) a hazardous liquid 
                                pipeline; or
                                    ``(IV) a carbon dioxide pipeline.
                            ``(iv) High consequence area.--The term 
                        `high consequence area' means--
                                    ``(I) with respect to a gas 
                                pipeline facility, a high consequence 
                                area (as defined in section 192.903 of 
                                title 49, Code of Federal Regulations 
                                (or a successor regulation)); and
                                    ``(II) with respect to a hazardous 
                                liquid pipeline facility or relevant 
                                carbon dioxide pipeline facility, a 
                                high consequence area (as defined in 
                                section 195.450 of title 49, Code of 
                                Federal Regulations (or a successor 
                                regulation)).
                    ``(B) Isolation of pipeline segments.--Beginning on 
                the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of 
                the Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and Environmental 
                Standards Act of 2024, an operator of a covered 
                pipeline any portion of which is in a covered location 
                shall, as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 
                minutes after rupture identification, fully isolate any 
                ruptured pipeline segment that is in a covered 
                location, in order to minimize the volume of product 
                released from the pipeline and mitigate the 
                consequences of the rupture.
                    ``(C) Demonstration of compliance.--
                            ``(i) Existing pipelines in covered 
                        locations.--Not later than 5 years after the 
                        date of enactment of the Pipeline 
                        Accountability, Safety, and Environmental 
                        Standards Act of 2024, each operator of a 
                        covered pipeline any portion of which is in a 
                        covered location as of that date of enactment 
                        shall demonstrate the ability of the operator 
                        to comply with the requirements of subparagraph 
                        (B).
                            ``(ii) Subsequent determinations.--
                        Beginning on the date of enactment of the 
                        Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and 
                        Environmental Standards Act of 2024, not later 
                        than 5 years after an existing covered pipeline 
                        is determined to be in a covered location, the 
                        operator of that covered pipeline shall 
                        demonstrate the ability of the operator to 
                        isolate the applicable segment of the covered 
                        pipeline not later than 30 minutes after 
                        rupture identification, in accordance with 
                        subparagraph (B), unless the operator has 
                        received a waiver in accordance with 
                        subparagraph (D) with respect to the applicable 
                        segment that is in effect on the expiration of 
                        that 5-year period.
                    ``(D) Waiver on request.--The Secretary may approve 
                a waiver of the requirements of subparagraphs (B) and 
                (C) on the request of an operator of a covered pipeline 
                if the request--
                            ``(i)(I) demonstrates, in the determination 
                        of the Secretary, that meeting the 30-minute 
                        standard described in subparagraph (B) is 
                        operationally, technologically, or economically 
                        infeasible; and
                            ``(II) describes the methodology used to 
                        reach, and the results of studies supporting, 
                        that conclusion;
                            ``(ii)(I) includes the estimated--
                                    ``(aa) isolation time; and
                                    ``(bb) consequences of a worst-case 
                                scenario failure on the impacted high 
                                consequence area or Class 3 or 4 
                                location; and
                            ``(II) demonstrates that the operator has 
                        involved the local emergency services in 
                        developing those estimates;
                            ``(iii) demonstrates that the public within 
                        the impacted area and the immediately 
                        surrounding areas has been informed of the 
                        consequences of a rupture and consulted with 
                        respect to a waiver, including by providing the 
                        estimated isolation time; and
                            ``(iv) for a pipeline segment for which a 
                        rupture could affect a high consequence area 
                        that is an unusually sensitive area (as defined 
                        in section 195.6 of title 49, Code of Federal 
                        Regulations (or a successor regulation)), 
                        demonstrates that relevant environmental and 
                        public safety groups have been informed of, and 
                        consulted with respect to, the consequences of 
                        a rupture and the request for a waiver.
                    ``(E) Expiration, renewal, and required review.--
                            ``(i) Expiration.--A waiver granted by the 
                        Secretary under subparagraph (D) shall expire 5 
                        years after the date on which the waiver was 
                        granted.
                            ``(ii) Renewal.--A waiver granted by the 
                        Secretary under subparagraph (D) may be renewed 
                        on the submission by the operator of a new 
                        request in accordance with that subparagraph, 
                        subject to such revision as the Secretary 
                        determines to be appropriate based on a review 
                        of the request.
                            ``(iii) Required review.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Not later than 
                                180 days after the occurrence of an 
                                event described in subclause (II), an 
                                operator receiving a waiver under 
                                subparagraph (D) shall--
                                            ``(aa) review the waiver; 
                                        and
                                            ``(bb) submit to the 
                                        Secretary a new request for a 
                                        waiver in accordance with that 
                                        subparagraph, including such 
                                        revisions as the operator 
                                        determines appropriate based on 
                                        a review of the applicable 
                                        event described in that 
                                        subclause.
                                    ``(II) Events described.--An event 
                                referred to in subclause (I) is any of 
                                the following:
                                            ``(aa) A significant 
                                        incident anywhere on the 
                                        network of pipelines of the 
                                        operator.
                                            ``(bb) A change in the 
                                        operational status of the 
                                        applicable pipeline segment 
                                        that may impact the safe 
                                        operation of the pipeline 
                                        facility or the consequences of 
                                        a rupture.
                                            ``(cc) A change in the 
                                        built or natural environment 
                                        that may impact the safe 
                                        operation of the pipeline 
                                        facility or the consequences of 
                                        a rupture.
                                            ``(dd) A change in the 
                                        organizational structure of the 
                                        operator, including a change in 
                                        staffing levels or locations, 
                                        that would affect the ability 
                                        of the operator to isolate the 
                                        applicable pipeline segment 
                                        within the required time.
                                    ``(III) Review by the secretary.--
                                On receipt of a request under subclause 
                                (I)(bb), the Secretary shall--
                                            ``(aa) review the request; 
                                        and
                                            ``(bb) as the Secretary 
                                        determines to be appropriate--

                                                    ``(AA) grant a new 
                                                waiver under 
                                                subparagraph (D) with 
                                                such revisions as the 
                                                Secretary determines to 
                                                be appropriate;

                                                    ``(BB) revoke the 
                                                existing waiver and 
                                                require compliance with 
                                                subparagraphs (B) and 
                                                (C); or

                                                    ``(CC) require the 
                                                submission of a revised 
                                                request by a date 
                                                determined by the 
                                                Secretary, addressing 
                                                such matters as the 
                                                Secretary determines to 
                                                be appropriate.

                                    ``(IV) Expiration due to 
                                inaction.--If an operator has not 
                                submitted to the Secretary a request in 
                                accordance with item (bb) of subclause 
                                (I) by the date described in that 
                                subclause, the existing waiver shall 
                                expire as of that date.
                    ``(F) Rulemaking.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability, 
                Safety, and Environmental Standards Act of 2024, the 
                Secretary shall promulgate new, or revise existing, 
                regulations to carry out this paragraph.''.

SEC. 106. SAFETY OF CARBON DIOXIDE PIPELINES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) High consequence area.--The term ``high consequence 
        area'' has the meaning given the term in section 192.903 of 
        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
        regulation ).
            (2) Potential impact area.--The term ``potential impact 
        area'' means the area in which the potential failure of a 
        pipeline transporting carbon dioxide may be expected to have 
        significant impact on persons, property, or the environment.
    (b) Minimum Safety Standards.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe under 
        section 60102(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, minimum 
        safety standards for the design, installation, construction, 
        initial inspection, initial testing, and operation and 
        maintenance of carbon dioxide pipelines.
            (2) Considerations.--In prescribing minimum safety 
        standards under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) prescribe minimum safety standards for all 
                phases of carbon dioxide pipeline transportation;
                    (B) develop appropriate standards for the 
                determination of--
                            (i) a potential impact area, which may 
                        include the use of plume dispersion models and 
                        consideration of the impacts of local weather 
                        and topography;
                            (ii) the area in which a rupture may cause 
                        a sufficient concentration of carbon dioxide to 
                        create a risk of fatality;
                            (iii) high consequence areas;
                            (iv) pipeline segments that could affect 
                        high consequence areas; and
                            (v) the acceptable level of contaminants in 
                        the pipeline;
                    (C) require an effective, appropriate, and unique 
                odorant, or other effective and appropriate means of 
                leak detection, as determined through research and 
                development;
                    (D) establish measures to ensure effective fracture 
                propagation protection, including the consideration of 
                requirements relating to--
                            (i) material toughness; and
                            (ii) the use of fracture arrestors;
                    (E) consider which measures will ensure the maximum 
                protection of--
                            (i) public health;
                            (ii) pipeline integrity; and
                            (iii) the environment and public safety, 
                        consistent with section 60102 of title 49, 
                        United States Code;
                    (F) establish detailed safety standards for the 
                conversion of existing pipelines for use in 
                transporting carbon dioxide; and
                    (G) establish guidelines for emergency response 
                plans and emergency responder training for carbon 
                dioxide pipeline leaks, ensuring that the relevant 
                portions of emergency response plans are available to 
                relevant emergency responders.
            (3) Requirement.--The minimum safety standards prescribed 
        under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, be responsive to the 
        findings and recommendations in the report of the Accident 
        Investigation Division of the Office of Pipeline Safety of the 
        Administration entitled ``Failure Investigation Report--Denbury 
        Gulf Coast Pipelines LLC--Pipeline Rupture/Natural Force 
        Damage'' and dated May 26, 2022.
    (c) Other Requirements.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations--
            (1) requiring operators of carbon dioxide pipelines--
                    (A) to identify and assess geohazards during 
                initial pipeline siting;
                    (B) to monitor for changes in hazardous conditions 
                that could impact pipeline safety; and
                    (C) to take preventive and mitigative measures as 
                appropriate;
            (2) establishing reporting requirements relating to--
                    (A) the location of carbon dioxide pipelines and 
                related facilities;
                    (B) the phase and material being transported 
                through those pipelines, including the type and 
                quantity of contaminants; and
                    (C) how those pipelines and contents are inspected;
            (3) establishing standards and notification requirements 
        for cases in which the material being transported by a carbon 
        dioxide pipeline is not pure carbon dioxide;
            (4) requiring operators of carbon dioxide pipelines to 
        notify and coordinate with relevant Federal, State, local, and 
        Tribal officials and responders when there is an incident or 
        accident; and
            (5) requiring operators of carbon dioxide pipelines to 
        notify individuals within the relevant potential impact area of 
        the hazards posed by carbon dioxide pipelines and measures to 
        take in the event of a pipeline rupture.
    (d) Training and Other Resources.--The Secretary shall provide 
training and other resources to relevant local emergency responders 
that is tailored specifically to carbon dioxide pipeline ruptures, 
including information on the potential impact area, any relevant 
odorants, the health implications of exposure to high concentrations of 
carbon dioxide, and the impact of high concentrations of carbon dioxide 
on vehicle functioning.

SEC. 107. BLENDING OF HYDROGEN IN NATURAL GAS SYSTEMS.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) conduct a study of the short- and long-term safety, 
        health, environmental, and climate change impacts and risks of 
        blending hydrogen into existing natural gas systems; and
            (2) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, submit to the Secretary and the appropriate 
        committees of Congress a report describing the results of the 
        study, including--
                    (A) a description of any remaining knowledge gaps 
                relating to safely moving hydrogen-methane blends 
                through existing natural gas systems;
                    (B) a description of the safety risks of hydrogen-
                methane blends in existing natural gas systems, 
                including--
                            (i) leak rates of hydrogen-methane blends 
                        and associated environmental impacts;
                            (ii) the performance of hydrogen-methane 
                        blends in existing residential, commercial, and 
                        industrial infrastructure; and
                            (iii) underground migration of leaked 
                        hydrogen-methane blends;
                    (C) an analysis of any expected climate change 
                impacts and risks of blending hydrogen into existing 
                natural gas systems, as compared to--
                            (i) the status quo; and
                            (ii) other pathways for greenhouse gas 
                        emissions reduction; and
                    (D) recommendations to the Secretary for how to 
                avoid or minimize risks determined under paragraph (1).
    (b) Considerations.--In conducting the study under subsection 
(a)(1), the Comptroller General of the United States shall take into 
consideration, at a minimum, the findings of the study on hydrogen 
blending commissioned by the California Public Utilities Commission and 
carried out by the University of California, Riverside, entitled 
``Hydrogen Blending Impacts Study'' and dated July 18, 2022.
    (c) Prohibition.--
            (1) In general.--No pipeline operator may transport any 
        quantity of hydrogen, other than trace amounts present as a 
        contaminant, through a natural gas distribution pipeline system 
        under the jurisdiction of the Secretary unless and until 
        Congress expressly provides, by statute, for the safe 
        regulation of blending hydrogen into natural gas distribution 
        pipeline systems.
            (2) Application.--The prohibition described in paragraph 
        (1) shall not apply to natural gas distribution pipelines 
        that--
                    (A) have been specifically designed to transport 
                hydrogen above trace levels; and
                    (B) have been transporting hydrogen above trace 
                levels for at least 10 years as of the date of 
                enactment of this Act.

SEC. 108. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION 
              INFRASTRUCTURE SAFETY AND MODERNIZATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Modification.--The matter under the heading ``natural gas 
distribution infrastructure safety and modernization grant program'' 
under the heading ``Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration'' under the heading ``DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'' in 
title VIII of division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
(Public Law 117-58; 135 Stat. 1443) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by inserting 
        ``(referred to under this heading in this Act as the 
        `Secretary')'' after ``Secretary of Transportation'';
            (2) in the second proviso, by striking ``to repair, 
        rehabilitate, or replace its natural gas distribution pipeline 
        system or portions thereof or to acquire equipment to (1) 
        reduce incidents and fatalities and (2) avoid economic losses'' 
        and inserting ``to repair, rehabilitate, replace, or retire its 
        natural gas distribution pipeline system or portions thereof or 
        to acquire equipment to (1) reduce incidents and fatalities, 
        (2) avoid economic losses, and (3) encourage non-emitting 
        alternatives''; and
            (3) by inserting after the second proviso the following: 
        ``Provided further, That for purposes of the preceding proviso, 
        the term `non-emitting alternative' means a technological or 
        efficiency-related energy solution that does not entail the use 
        of fossil fuels that are directly or indirectly related to the 
        greenhouse effect, including electrification, renewable energy 
        sources, networked geothermal systems, storage, efficiency, and 
        behavior change: Provided further, That the promotion or 
        encouragement of non-emitting alternatives (as defined in the 
        preceding proviso) may include workforce training programs: 
        Provided further, That in making grants from funds made 
        available under this heading in this Act, the Secretary shall 
        give additional consideration to an applicant if all workers 
        employed or contracted by the applicant are paid wages at rates 
        not less than those prevailing on projects of a similar 
        character in the locality as determined by the Secretary of 
        Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 
        40, United States Code, and to workforce training programs that 
        comply with apprenticeship requirements similar to the 
        apprenticeship requirements described in section 45(b)(8) of 
        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as determined or established 
        by the Secretary for purposes of making those grants:''.
    (b) Requirement.--Of the amounts made available by subsection (c) 
each fiscal year, not less than 20 percent shall be used for non-
emitting alternatives (as defined in the third proviso under the 
heading ``natural gas distribution infrastructure safety and 
modernization grant program'' under the heading ``Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration'' under the heading 
``DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'' in title VIII of division J of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58; 135 Stat. 
1443)).
    (c) Authorization of Additional Funding.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out the Natural Gas Distribution 
Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program described under 
the heading ``natural gas distribution infrastructure safety and 
modernization grant program'' under the heading ``Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration'' under the heading 
``DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'' in title VIII of division J of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58; 135 Stat. 
1443)--
            (1) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, to remain available 
        until September 30, 2036;
            (2) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, to remain available 
        until September 30, 2037;
            (3) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, to remain available 
        until September 30, 2038;
            (4) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2030, to remain available 
        until September 30, 2039; and
            (5) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2031, to remain available 
        until September 30, 2040.

SEC. 109. RULEMAKING ON UNDERGROUND NATURAL GAS STORAGE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate new, or revise existing, 
regulations to address underground natural gas storage.
    (b) Requirement.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall review and consider relevant technical and scientific information 
on the safety of underground natural gas storage, including the most 
recently updated version of each of the following:
            (1) The standard of the American Petroleum Institute 
        entitled ``Design and Operation of Solution-mined Salt Caverns 
        used for Natural Gas Storage'' and numbered API Recommended 
        Practice 1170.
            (2) The standard of the American Petroleum Institute 
        entitled ``Functional Integrity of Natural Gas Storage in 
        Depleted Hydrocarbon Reservoirs and Aquifer Reservoirs'' and 
        numbered API Recommended Practice 1171.
    (c) Topics.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
review and consider updates to existing regulations relating to risk 
management, emergency response, and ensuring that underground natural 
gas storage wells do not pose undue risks from single points of 
failure.

              TITLE II--PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY

SEC. 201. OFFICE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 108 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``(referred to in this 
        section as the `Administration')'' after ``Safety 
        Administration'';
            (2) in subsection (c), in the first sentence, by inserting 
        ``(referred to in this section as the `Administrator'),'' after 
        ``shall be the Administrator''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Office of Public Engagement.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
                `appropriate committees of Congress' has the meaning 
                given the term in section 2 of the Pipeline 
                Accountability, Safety, and Environmental Standards Act 
                of 2024.
                    ``(B) Director.--The term `Director' means the 
                Director of the Office appointed under paragraph (3).
                    ``(C) Environmental justice community.--The term 
                `environmental justice community' means a community 
                with significant representation of communities of 
                color, low-income communities, or Tribal and Indigenous 
                communities, that experiences, or is at risk of 
                experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or 
                environmental effects.
                    ``(D) Incident.--The term `incident' has the 
                meaning given the term in section 191.3 of title 49, 
                Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
                regulation).
                    ``(E) Low-income community.--The term `low-income 
                community' means a census block group in which 30 
                percent or more of the population are individuals with 
                an annual household income equal to, or less than, the 
                greatest of--
                            ``(i) an amount equal to 80 percent of the 
                        median income of the area in which the 
                        household is located, as reported by the 
                        Department of Housing and Urban Development;
                            ``(ii) 200 percent of the Federal poverty 
                        line; and
                            ``(iii) a level of income higher than the 
                        levels described in clauses (i) and (ii), as 
                        determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(F) Office.--The term `Office' means the Office 
                of Public Engagement of the Administration established 
                under paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Establishment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator 
                shall establish within the Administration an office, to 
                be known as the `Office of Public Engagement'.
                    ``(B) Process.--Before establishing the Office 
                under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall--
                            ``(i) seek and incorporate public input 
                        regarding the responsibilities of the Office, 
                        including through in-person public meetings, 
                        prioritizing input from individuals without 
                        financial interests in the pipeline, petroleum, 
                        ethanol, or gas industries, including 
                        environmental justice communities and experts 
                        in community engagement; and
                            ``(ii) submit to the appropriate committees 
                        of Congress a summary of the input received 
                        pursuant to clause (i) and an explanation of 
                        how that input will be integrated into the 
                        establishment of the Office.
                    ``(C) Compensation.--The Administrator may provide 
                reasonable compensation for those providing input 
                pursuant to subparagraph (B) in order to facilitate the 
                participation of environmental justice communities.
            ``(3) Director.--The Office shall be headed by a Director, 
        who shall--
                    ``(A) be appointed by the Administrator;
                    ``(B) report to the Associate Administrator for 
                Pipeline Safety; and
                    ``(C) be responsible for the discharge of the 
                functions and duties of the Office.
            ``(4) Employees.--The Director may appoint, and assign the 
        duties of, employees of the Office.
            ``(5) Duties and functions of the office.--
                    ``(A) Coordination of assistance.--The Director 
                shall coordinate the provision of assistance, including 
                financial assistance, technical assistance, and 
                educational assistance to the public, with respect to 
                the authorities exercised by the Administration, 
                including by proactive and targeted community outreach 
                that incorporates--
                            ``(i) accessible communications;
                            ``(ii) the provision of in-person and 
                        online communications; and
                            ``(iii) translations to languages spoken by 
                        impacted populations.
                    ``(B) Public engagement.--The Director shall 
                coordinate active and ongoing engagement with the 
                public with respect to the authority and activities of 
                the Administration, including by--
                            ``(i) conducting--
                                    ``(I) proactive outreach, which may 
                                include public postings, signage at 
                                relevant physical locations, newspaper 
                                publications, utility bill inserts, 
                                mailings, phone calls, canvassing, and 
                                door hangers, to communities, 
                                especially environmental justice 
                                communities, using varied media; and
                                    ``(II) meetings, set at times and 
                                places to maximize the number of 
                                community members who can conveniently 
                                attend, with appropriate services, 
                                including, if the Director determines 
                                it would have a meaningful impact on 
                                participation by members of affected 
                                environmental justice communities--
                                            ``(aa) translation and 
                                        interpreting services;
                                            ``(bb) virtual attendance; 
                                        and
                                            ``(cc) reasonable funding 
                                        for transportation to and from 
                                        meetings, food, and caregiving;
                            ``(ii) establishing an independent, 
                        neutral, accessible, confidential, and 
                        standardized process to receive, review, and 
                        process complaints and allegations with respect 
                        to the activities of the Administration and 
                        entities regulated by the Administration;
                            ``(iii) assisting individuals in resolving 
                        complaints and allegations described in clause 
                        (ii);
                            ``(iv) making publicly available, and 
                        proactively disseminating, information on the 
                        manner in which members of the public may file 
                        inquiries, complaints, and allegations;
                            ``(v) coordinating with the Federal Energy 
                        Regulatory Commission, State agencies, and, as 
                        necessary, other agencies to direct public 
                        inquiries that are not within the jurisdiction 
                        of the Administration to the relevant agency; 
                        and
                            ``(vi) preparing, and making publicly 
                        available in accessible formats, educational 
                        materials about the Administration, the 
                        responsibilities of the Administration, and how 
                        those responsibilities interact with entities 
                        under the jurisdiction of the Administration 
                        and other Federal, State, local, or Tribal 
                        government agencies.
                    ``(C) Post-incident support.--The Director shall 
                facilitate, including by directing impacted individuals 
                to the appropriate agency and coordinating with 
                relevant counterparts at other agencies, appropriate 
                remediation, environmental testing, and assistance with 
                compensation in the case of leaks, incidents, 
                accidents, or other relevant events.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out section 108(h) of title 49, 
United States Code, $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 
2028.

SEC. 202. DISCLOSURE OF SAFETY DATA.

    Section 60132 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection (a)'' and 
        inserting ``subparagraph (A)'';
            (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subparagraph (C) and 
        indenting appropriately;
            (3) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), in the second sentence, by 
                striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Notice requirement.--With respect to data 
                requested from operators under subparagraph (A)(vi), 
                the Secretary'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
                clauses (i), (ii), (v), and (vi), respectively, and 
                indenting appropriately;
                    (C) by inserting after clause (ii) (as so 
                redesignated) the following:
                            ``(iii) Information on the matters 
                        described in paragraph (2)(E).
                            ``(iv) The location and type of any valves 
                        installed on the pipeline.''; and
                    (D) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
                redesignated)--
                            (i) by striking ``and gathering lines'';
                            (ii) by striking ``of Transportation''; and
                            (iii) by striking the subsection 
                        designation and heading and all that follows 
                        through ``this section, the'' and inserting the 
                        following:
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Class location.--The term `class location' means a 
        class location described in section 192.5 of title 49, Code of 
        Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
            ``(2) Covered pipeline facility.--The term `covered 
        pipeline facility' means--
                    ``(A) a gas transmission pipeline facility;
                    ``(B) a type A onshore gathering pipeline (as 
                described in section 192.8(c) of title 49, Code of 
                Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation));
                    ``(C) a hazardous liquid pipeline facility; and
                    ``(D) a carbon dioxide pipeline facility.
            ``(3) High consequence area.--The term `high consequence 
        area' means--
                    ``(A) with respect to a gas pipeline facility, a 
                high consequence area (as defined in section 192.903 of 
                title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
                regulation)); and
                    ``(B) with respect to a hazardous liquid pipeline 
                facility or relevant carbon dioxide pipeline facility, 
                a high consequence area (as defined in section 195.450 
                of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
                successor regulation)).
            ``(4) Maximum allowable operating pressure.--The term 
        `maximum allowable operating pressure' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 192.3 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or a successor regulation).
            ``(5) Maximum operating pressure.--The term `maximum 
        operating pressure' has the meaning given the term in section 
        195.2 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
        regulation).
            ``(6) Moderate consequence area.--The term `moderate 
        consequence area' has the meaning given the term in section 
        192.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
        regulation).
            ``(7) Potential impact area.--The term `potential impact 
        area' means the area in which the potential failure of a 
        pipeline may be expected to have a significant impact on 
        persons, property, or the environment (as defined in section 2 
        of the Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and Environmental 
        Standards Act of 2024).
            ``(8) Potential impact radius.--The term `potential impact 
        radius' has the meaning given the term in section 192.903 of 
        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
        regulation).
    ``(b) Information To Be Provided.--
            ``(1) Information to be provided to the secretary.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The'';
            (4) in subsection (b) (as so designated), by adding at the 
        end the following:
            ``(2) Information to be provided to the public.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability, 
                Safety, and Environmental Standards Act of 2024, each 
                operator of a covered pipeline facility shall provide 
                to the public, free of charge, on a publicly accessible 
                website, in a simple and consolidated form--
                            ``(i) information about the substances 
                        being transported by pipelines managed by the 
                        operator, including any blended products, any 
                        relevant odorants, and any contaminants;
                            ``(ii) the plans that have been made for 
                        the decommissioning of--
                                    ``(I) each abandoned pipeline of 
                                the operator; and
                                    ``(II) each removed or remediated 
                                pipeline of the operator;
                            ``(iii) contact information for the 
                        operator and the Pipeline and Hazardous 
                        Materials Safety Administration;
                            ``(iv) relevant portions of operator 
                        emergency response plans needed by the public 
                        to prepare State, local, commercial, nonprofit, 
                        and personal emergency response plans;
                            ``(v) information about how far buildings 
                        are required to be set back from a pipeline; 
                        and
                            ``(vi) for carbon dioxide pipelines--
                                    ``(I) the results of any dispersion 
                                modeling performed; and
                                    ``(II) any estimates of the zone in 
                                which carbon dioxide concentrations 
                                could be fatal in the event of a 
                                pipeline rupture.
                    ``(B) Updates.--The information provided under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be updated as necessary, but not 
                less frequently than once each year.
                    ``(C) Annual notification.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each operator of a 
                        covered pipeline facility with a diameter of at 
                        least 6 inches shall, not less frequently than 
                        annually, provide to the recipients described 
                        in clause (ii) a notification that includes all 
                        information described in subparagraph (A) with 
                        respect to the pipeline facility.
                            ``(ii) Recipients described.--The 
                        recipients referred to in clause (i) are--
                                    ``(I) the Secretary;
                                    ``(II) the owners of all occupied 
                                residences and operational commercial 
                                structures that, in the determination 
                                of the Secretary, could be impacted by 
                                a rupture of the covered pipeline 
                                facility;
                                    ``(III) any tenants of those 
                                structures; and
                                    ``(IV) relevant first responders.
                            ``(iii) Requirement.--A notification under 
                        clause (i) shall include--
                                    ``(I) a description of the changes 
                                from the previous notification provided 
                                under that clause, if applicable;
                                    ``(II) a statement of the 
                                relevant--
                                            ``(aa) legal duties of the 
                                        operator; and
                                            ``(bb) legal rights of, as 
                                        applicable--

                                                    ``(AA) the owners 
                                                and residents of the 
                                                occupied residences; or

                                                    ``(BB) the owners, 
                                                tenants, and manager of 
                                                the operational 
                                                commercial structure; 
                                                and

                                    ``(III) a statement informing the 
                                recipient of the additional information 
                                that the recipient may request under 
                                subparagraph (D).
                    ``(D) Additional information.--On the request of 
                any person, an operator of a pipeline facility shall 
                provide to that person--
                            ``(i) the information described in 
                        subparagraph (A) with respect to all pipeline 
                        facilities of the operator; and
                            ``(ii) pipeline safety information, 
                        including--
                                    ``(I) information on the matters 
                                described in subparagraph (E) with 
                                respect to each pipeline facility 
                                operated by the operator;
                                    ``(II) educational material 
                                relating to the matters described in 
                                that subparagraph to better inform the 
                                public about the information disclosed 
                                under subclause (I), provided in a 
                                simple and consolidated form; and
                                    ``(III) a description of how the 
                                information described in subclause (I) 
                                was acquired or determined, including 
                                any formulas used and any tests carried 
                                out.
                    ``(E) Matters described.--The matters referred to 
                in subparagraph (D)(ii)(I) and paragraph (1)(A)(iii) 
                include--
                            ``(i) high consequence areas;
                            ``(ii) moderate consequence areas;
                            ``(iii) potential impact radii and 
                        potential impact areas;
                            ``(iv) class locations;
                            ``(v) pipe size;
                            ``(vi) the date of pipeline construction;
                            ``(vii) the history of incidents, 
                        accidents, and repairs on the pipeline;
                            ``(viii) geohazards that may impact 
                        pipeline safety;
                            ``(ix) pressure information, including--
                                    ``(I) maximum operating pressure; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) maximum allowable operating 
                                pressure;
                            ``(x) with respect to gathering lines, the 
                        types of gathering lines, including Type A, 
                        Type B, Type C, and Type R pipelines;
                            ``(xi) the health, safety, and environment 
                        management programs of the operator; and
                            ``(xii) any other matter that--
                                    ``(I) relates to the safety and 
                                reliability of a pipeline facility 
                                under the jurisdiction of the 
                                Secretary; and
                                    ``(II) in the determination of the 
                                Secretary, is in the public interest to 
                                be disclosed.
                    ``(F) Deadline.--Not later than 90 days after 
                receiving a request under subparagraph (D), an operator 
                of a pipeline facility shall provide the information 
                required to be disclosed under that subparagraph to the 
                person making the request.
            ``(3) Rulemaking.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of the Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and 
        Environmental Standards Act of 2024, the Secretary shall 
        promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection, including 
        providing for standardized formats for operators to release 
        information to the public.'';
            (5) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``High-
                consequence'' and inserting ``High Consequence'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``high-consequence areas 
                        (as described in section 60109(a))'' and 
                        inserting ``high consequence areas''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) make the map available to the public on an internet 
        website, in a machine-readable format, as part of the National 
        Pipeline Mapping System Public Map Viewer or at an alternative 
        location.''; and
            (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``subsection (a)'' and 
        inserting ``subsection (b)(1)''.

SEC. 203. REPORTING OF BLENDED PRODUCTS.

    (a) In General.--All operators of natural gas pipelines shall 
report to the Secretary blended, non-predominant products that exceed, 
at any point in time, 1 percent by volume of the product transported by 
the pipeline.
    (b) Rulemaking.--The Secretary may promulgate new, or revise 
existing, regulations to implement the requirements of subsection (a).

SEC. 204. INCIDENT REPORTING FOR GAS PIPELINES.

    (a) Definition of Gas.--In this section, the term ``gas'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 60101(a) of title 49, United States 
Code.
    (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate new, or revise existing, 
regulations to require operators of gas pipelines--
            (1) to meet incident reporting standards that require those 
        operators to report all gas releases of 50,000 cubic feet or 
        more, regardless of any intent of the operator or any other 
        person with respect to the release; and
            (2) to report--
                    (A) all incidents resulting in fire or explosion;
                    (B) all incidents resulting in property damage of 
                $50,000 or more in value; and
                    (C) all incidents resulting in bodily harm to any 
                person resulting in--
                            (i) loss of consciousness;
                            (ii) necessity to carry a person from the 
                        scene;
                            (iii) necessity for medical treatment; or
                            (iv) disability that prevents the discharge 
                        of normal duties or the pursuit of normal 
                        duties beyond the day of the incident.

                       TITLE III--ACCOUNTABILITY

SEC. 301. PROHIBITION AGAINST RELEASES.

    Section 60118(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
        subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, and indenting 
        appropriately;
            (3) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
        redesignated), by striking ``facility shall--'' and inserting 
        the following: ``facility--
            ``(1) shall--''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) shall not release gas or hazardous liquid from a 
        pipeline facility in a quantity that would require the 
        reporting of an incident or accident under a regulation 
        prescribed under this chapter.''.

SEC. 302. ACTIONS BY PRIVATE PERSONS.

    Section 60121 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
                paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively;
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1) A person'' 
                and all that follows through ``However, the person'' in 
                the second sentence and inserting the following:
            ``(1) Civil action.--A person may bring a civil action in 
        an appropriate district court of the United States for all 
        appropriate relief, including civil penalties and injunctive 
        relief, against--
                    ``(A) another person (including the United States 
                Government and other governmental authorities to the 
                extent permitted under the 11th Amendment to the 
                Constitution of the United States) for a violation of 
                this chapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued 
                under this chapter; or
                    ``(B) the Secretary where there is alleged a 
                failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty 
                under this chapter that is nondiscretionary.
            ``(2) Requirements and limitations.--With respect to a 
        civil action described in paragraph (1), a person'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by 
                indenting subparagraphs (A) through (C) appropriately;
                    (D) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by 
                striking the paragraph designation and all that follows 
                through ``The Secretary shall'' and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(3) Notice.--The Secretary shall'';
                    (E) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by 
                striking the paragraph designation and all that follows 
                through ``The Secretary, with'' and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(4) Intervention.--The Secretary, with''; and
                    (F) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Jurisdiction.--The district courts of the United 
        States shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in 
        controversy or the citizenship of the parties--
                    ``(A) to enforce a pipeline safety standard or 
                limitation established under this chapter;
                    ``(B) to enforce a regulation prescribed or order 
                issued under this chapter;
                    ``(C) to order the Secretary to perform any act or 
                duty under this chapter; and
                    ``(D) to impose any appropriate civil penalties 
                under section 60122.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
                appropriately;
                    (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
                redesignated), in the first sentence, by striking ``The 
                court'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The court''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), in the 
                matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), 
                by striking, ``The court may award costs to'' in the 
                second sentence and all that follows through ``In this 
                subsection'' in the third sentence and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) Reasonable attorney's fee.--For purposes of paragraph 
        (1)''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Venue; Intervention by the Secretary.--
            ``(1) Venue.--Any action under this section may be brought 
        in--
                    ``(A) the district court of the United States for 
                the judicial district in which the violation occurred; 
                or
                    ``(B) the United States District Court for the 
                District of Columbia.
            ``(2) Intervention by the Secretary.--If the Secretary is 
        not a party to an action described in paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary may intervene in that action as a matter of right.
    ``(f) Nonrestriction of Other Rights.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise limited by section 
        60104(c), nothing in this section restricts any right that any 
        person (or class of persons) may have under any statute or the 
        common law--
                    ``(A) to seek enforcement of any standard or 
                limitation; or
                    ``(B) to seek any other relief (including relief 
                against the Secretary or a State agency).
            ``(2) State, local, and interstate authority.--Except as 
        otherwise limited by section 60104(c), nothing in this section 
        shall be construed to prohibit, exclude, or restrict any State, 
        local, or interstate authority from--
                    ``(A) bringing any enforcement action or obtaining 
                any judicial remedy or sanction in any State or local 
                court; or
                    ``(B) bringing any administrative enforcement 
                action or obtaining any administrative remedy or 
                sanction in any State or local administrative agency, 
                department, or instrumentality under any State or local 
                law relating to pipeline safety against--
                            ``(i) the United States;
                            ``(ii) any department, agency, or 
                        instrumentality of the United States; or
                            ``(iii) any officer, agent, or employee of 
                        the United States.''.

SEC. 303. PENALTIES.

    (a) Maximum Civil Penalty for a Related Series of Violations.--
Section 60122(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the third sentence.
    (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise subpart B of part 190 
of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, in accordance with the 
amendment made by subsection (a).
                                 <all>