[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2714-S2715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PIPELINE SAFETY

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I would like to share with my colleagues 
some recent developments on the pipeline safety legislation I 
introduced two months ago. I'm pleased to report that in the past week, 
we've made a lot of progress.
  About 10 months have passed since a gasoline pipeline in Bellingham, 
Washington ruptured--spilling more than 275,000 gallons of gasoline. 
That pipeline disaster killed three young people, and left thousands of 
people in my state wondering about the safety of the pipelines near 
their homes.
  We can't undo what happened in Bellingham--it will never be the same. 
But we can make sure that what happened in Bellingham doesn't happen 
anywhere else.
  There are 2.2 million miles of pipelines running across the country--
bringing us the energy we need to fuel our cars and heat our homes. 
They run near our schools, houses and communities. We have a 
responsibility to make sure these pipelines are safe. And it is clear 
that the current laws are not sufficient.
  That's why I introduced my pipeline safety bill back in January. 
Since that time, I have been meeting with the Administration, with 
Senators, safety officials, citizen groups, and industry 
representatives.
  This week, I spoke at a national conference on pipeline safety here 
in Washington, D.C. It was hosted by the National Pipeline Reform 
Coalition, SAFE Bellingham, and the Cascade Columbia Alliance.
  I can tell you that people all across the country are following this 
issue closely, they understand the problem, and they are calling for 
action.

[[Page S2715]]

  I want to be clear. We cannot wait any longer--and we can certainly 
not let this year pass without improving our nation's inadequate 
pipeline safety laws.
  The danger posed by aging, corroded pipelines is not going away. In 
fact, it's getting worse.
  Since 1986, there have been more than 5,700 pipeline accidents, 325 
deaths, 1,500 injuries. More than $850 million in environmental damage. 
On average there is 1 pipeline accident every day, and 6 million 
hazardous gallons are spilled every year.
  In the two months since I introduced my pipeline safety bill, at 
least 20 states--almost half of the country--have experienced pipeline 
accidents. Let me repeat that. In just two months, 20 more states have 
had pipeline accidents.
  Just last week there was a major pipeline spill in Maryland. The 
clock is ticking, and the list of affected communities is growing.
  Back home in Washington state, there is a great deal of impatience 
that Congress has not acted on pipeline safety measures. This editorial 
by the Bellingham Herald--from April 5th--gives you a good sense of how 
many of my constituents feel.
  It's titled, Wake Up, Pipeline Bill Is On The Way. It's addressed to 
Congress, and it says, in part:

       Don't know if you had a chance to look at our pipeline 
     bill, but we're sending you a message. We want you to hear us 
     loud and clear.

  And later it says:

       * * * even though what happened in Bellingham could happen 
     in any one of your home states, we feel you aren't giving 
     this issue much attention.

  As this editorial says--these accidents can happen in any of our 
states. I don't want another community to go through what the people of 
Bellingham, Washington have gone through. We can make pipelines safer 
today.
  My bill addresses five key areas of pipeline safety: My bill will 
expand state authority over pipeline safety. My bill will improve 
inspection and prevention practices. My bill will invest in new safety 
technology. My bill will expand the public's right to know about 
problems with pipelines. Finally, my bill will increase funding to 
improve pipeline safety by providing funds for new state and federal 
pipeline safety programs.
  I'm proud to say that we are making progress. And I want to share 
with you some recent developments.
  Yesterday, Senator McCain announced that he has scheduled a hearing 
on pipeline safety for May 11, and he has committed to marking up a 
pipeline safety bill by the end of May. He also introduced his own 
pipeline safety bill.
  As you may recall, in February, I sent a letter to Senator McCain 
asking for a hearing. Last week, I spoke with him in person about it, 
and he pledged to work with me on this issue. As he told me, ``this is 
the right thing to do.''
  I would like to commend Senator McCain for moving the process 
forward. I would also like to share with the Senate the important work 
done by the parents of the young people who were killed in the 
Bellingham explosion, especially Mr. Frank King. On Tuesday, Mr. King 
met with Senator McCain's staff, and in bringing his own personal story 
to the Senate--he has helped move this legislation forward.
  I'm pleased today to become the Democratic sponsor of Senator 
McCain's bill. This bill contains many of the elements of the 
legislation I introduced back in January. The bill also includes some 
of the good elements of the Administration's proposal, which was 
introduced this week.
  Senator McCain, as chairman of the Commerce Committee, has done a 
service to our nation and the state of Washington by providing his 
leadership on this important topic.
  During the committee process, I hope we can all work together in a 
bipartisan manner to make the McCain-Murray bill even more effective at 
improving pipeline safety. There is still a long way to go, and I look 
forward to working with Senator McCain on this important issue.
  Another step forward took place this week, when the Clinton/Gore 
Administration sent its pipeline safety proposal to Congress. Working 
with us, the Administration has crafted a proposal which includes many 
of my priorities: It places a clear value on the importance of safety. 
It strengthens community ``right to know'' provisions. It improves 
inspection standards. It invests in research and development for 
inspection devices. And it increases penalties for safety violations.
  This proposal is a good first step, and now we will work to improve 
it. Clearly, there are some differences on the partnership with states 
provisions and other areas, and I will be working to strengthen them 
within the legislative process. I should add that the Administration's 
bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Hollings and 
Sarbanes, and in the House by Representatives Shuster, Oberstar, 
Franks, and Wise.
  I want to commend the Vice President, who learned about this issue 
when he was in Washington state. He recognized the importance of 
pipeline safety, and he has been working to prompt the Administration 
to act quickly. I also appreciate the work Transportation Secretary 
Rodney Slater has done. Shortly after the explosion, he stationed a 
pipeline inspector in Washington state.
  So clearly we are making some progress, but there is still much more 
to do. Unfortunately, the Senate leadership has not expressed a lot of 
interest in pipeline safety.
  I recently received a note from the majority leader's office--listing 
almost 50 bills that he has deemed ``Legislative Calendar Items'' which 
he hopes to consider prior to the August recess. Pipeline safety was 
not on his list. Now, I know priority lists are flexible, and I hope we 
can get a pipeline safety bill through the committee and onto the 
Senate floor for consideration before August.
  We need to pass a pipeline safety bill, and we need to do it now. I 
again ask my colleagues to stand with the thousands of people who have 
been adversely affected by pipeline disasters and pass a bill that will 
make sure no other community has to suffer from another pipeline 
disaster.
  We have a strong pipeline safety bill. We have Administration 
support. And we have a commitment from the Commerce Committee 
leadership to pass legislation this year.
  This is our chance for safer pipelines, for safer communities, and 
for peace of mind. We have a bill. It's up to this Congress, this year 
to make sure this opportunity doesn't pass us by.

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