[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 20 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E283-E284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE COMPREHENSIVE ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 1998

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, four years ago, I introduced H.R. 4394, the 
Comprehensive One-Call Notification Act, in response to a terrible 
pipeline accident that occurred in my district. 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.
  Four years later, I am still trying to pass a Comprehensive One-Call 
Notification Act. Four years later, I am still working to improve One-
Call systems. I am pleased today to join my colleague from Louisiana, 
Mr. Baker, in introducing the Comprehensive One-Call Act of 1998. This 
legislation is a modified version of my 1994 bill, designed to 
encourage the development of better One-Call programs. This bill does 
not contain any state mandates with regard to One-Call programs. It 
does encourage states to adopt comprehensive programs to maximize 
safety assurances for all citizens.

[[Page E284]]

  To the people in my district, the safety of pipelines is absolutely 
essential. My constituents were witnesses to a horrible tragedy that 
they carry with them, even four years later, fears 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 sites. This ignorance can lead to fatal 
and expensive consequences. The bill we are introducing today proposes 
three simple solutions to this problem: before they begin digging, all 
excavators should call a central phone number to learn whether there 
are any underground facilities at the excavation site. All facility 
operators should participate in One-Call programs, and, once notified, 
should accurately mark any underground facilities. Finally, states 
should strongly enforce their One-Call laws to encourage maximum 
participation in One-Call programs. 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. As another 
example, shortly after the pipeline incident in my district, a cut in 
an electric line at Newark airport by a contractor resulted in closure 
of the Airport for nearly 24 hours. One-Call programs--and this bill--
would prevent this type of accident.
  Today, 49 States have some kind of One-Call system, but Federal 
action is necessary, as demonstrated by the accidents mentioned above. 
Many current state systems are inadequate. Some provide exemptions for 
certain types of excavators. Some fail to cover all underground 
facilities. Some states have incredibly complex enforcement mechanisms, 
and some states don't bother to enforce One-Call laws at all. This bill 
recommends a program that will be successful. The key to this success 
is the concept of participation by 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.
  This bill encourages States to improve their One-Call programs. It 
contains no mandate that States adopt such a system. Instead, it 
provides grants to States that choose to institute the principles of 
this bill and develop effective one-call systems. I believe that once 
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.
  With this bill, 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.

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