[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         H.R. 4394, THE COMPREHENSIVE ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION ACT

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 1994

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, the 
gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Sharp] for his leadership on this issue. 
His belief in this bill and support have made the progress on this bill 
possible.
  I introduced H.R. 4394, the Comprehensive One-Call Notification Act, 
in response to a pipeline accident that occurred in my district last 
March. In Edison, NJ, a rupture in a natural gas pipeline caused an 
explosion that demolished eight apartment buildings and left hundreds 
of people homeless. The explosion produced a fireball so great that it 
could be seen in three States, and a fire so intense that it melted the 
cars parked at the apartment complex.
  To the people in my district, the safety of pipelines has taken on a 
terrible new significance. They were witnesses to a horrible tragedy 
and they carry with them, even today, fears that they had never before 
imagined. In a way however, they were also witnesses to a miracle: Only 
one person lost her life in the accident, tragically suffering a heart 
attack, and most residents escaped without injury. Certainly, in light 
of the total devastation of the area, the potential for a greater 
number of fatalities is apparent.
  The Edison accident, like the majority of pipeline accidents, was 
caused by third party damage. Often times, excavators do not know what 
is buried beneath their work site. This ignorance can lead to fatal and 
expensive consequences. H.R. 4394 proposes a simple solution to this 
problem: Before excavators begin digging they must call a central phone 
number to learn whether there are any underground facilities at the 
excavation site. Facility operators, once notified, must come to mark 
the site. These simple measures can save lives, prevent property 
damage, and prevent the need for expensive repairs.
  More than anything else, one-call is about prevention. One telephone 
call can prevent explosions like the Edison accident. One telephone 
call can prevent the death of an excavator digging near a gas line. One 
telephone call can prevent the contamination of the environment by a 
ruptured hazardous liquid or sewer line. One telephone call can prevent 
the need for expensive repairs to fiber optic cables.
  By the end of this year 49 States will have some kind of one call 
system, but Federal action is necessary. Many of the current systems 
are inadequate: Some allow for exemptions for excavators, fail to cover 
all underground facilities, and have complex enforcement mechanisms. 
H.R. 4394 recommends a program that will be successful. Key to this 
success is the concept of mandatory participation for all excavators 
and facility operators. Excavators will be assured that they are 
digging in a safe place, and facility operators have insurance that 
their lines will not be damaged.
  H.R. 4394 requires that States consider establishing a comprehensive 
one call system. The bill contains no mandate that the States adopt 
such a system, but does provide for grants to States that do choose to 
institute an effective one call system. The only burden on the States 
in this legislation is the consideration of these systems. I believe 
that once the States delve deeply into this issue they will conclude, 
as I have, that a comprehensive one-call system is a life-saving device 
that should be a part of any public safety program.
  Today, we have an opportunity to prevent accidents like the Edison 
explosion in every community in this country. Let us take the explosion 
that awoke the residents of the Durham Woods Apartment Complex in 
Edison as a wake up call to us. Pass one-call.

                          ____________________