[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S2486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ANNIVERSARY OF THE EDISON, NJ, PIPELINE ACCIDENT

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the anniversary of 
the tragic and frightening natural gas explosion that occurred four 
years ago near Edison, New Jersey. According to the National 
Transportation Safety Board, that accident was caused by a gouge in a 
major natural gas pipeline from unreported external damage during 
excavation. This dramatic accident caused Congress to focus on 
underground damage prevention.
  Mr. President, I knew then that we needed to act to prevent future 
damage to the American underground infrastructure. I started working 
with Senator Bradley and Senator Lautenberg to develop ``one-call'' 
legislation to improve state laws so as to require excavators to call 
before they dig, and facility owners to mark their underground 
facilities accurately when notified. In spite of the clear need to act 
to reduce the number of dangerous and disruptive accidents at our 
underground facilities, the consensus needed to pass a one-call bill 
has eluded Congress for four years. This Congress is going to be 
different.
  Mr. President, the Senate has twice passed a one-call bill in this 
Congress. The Senate has made a great start. The Senate has a 
bipartisan bill. The Senate has a bill passed by all 100 members. The 
Lott-Daschle one-call bill (S.1115) passed the Senate unanimously. In 
the House, the Baker-Pallone one-call bill (H.R. 3318) is moving ahead. 
I believe this legislation is a compatible component for the ISTEA 
bill. There is an overwhelming logic that as this Congress deals with 
the surface infrastructure it should deal with our underground 
infrastructure. ISTEA is the right legislative vehicle for one-call.
  I promised my good friend, Bill Bradley, when he left the Senate that 
I would continue the legislative effort. This Congress is not going to 
let another anniversary pass without enacting a one-call bill into law. 
This Congress will not turn its back on Edison, New Jersey. This 
Congress will not turn its back on a common sense safety procedure. 
This Congress will not allow future Americans to be subjected to the 
tragic consequences of an avoidable natural gas explosion.

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