[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E791-E792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORT OF THE SAFE PIPELINES ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JENNIFER DUNN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2000

  Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I joined Representative 
Metcalf in support of H.R. 3558, the Safe Pipelines Act of 2000, to 
improve safety and provide states greater discretion to review and 
inspect interstate liquid pipelines. This vital legislation requires 
pipeline companies to inspect the pipelines both internally and with 
hydrostatic tests. To improve access to information, this legislation 
requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to post the location of 
all pipelines on the Internet and inform the public of accidents, 
leaks, and spills.

[[Page E792]]

  While the June 10th accident in Bellingham, Washington, has caught 
our attention, we must examine how to improve the integrity of the 
pipeline and instill public confidence that we are adequately 
protecting those who live near a pipeline. I remain supportive of 
hydrostatic testing as a method to ensure the integrity of the 
pipelines. However, we must also review the regulatory, maintenance, 
and day-to-day operations of the pipelines comprehensively to better 
serve our communities.
  On May 13th, I held a public meeting to discuss efforts to improve 
the pipelines. With a panel of experts, we discussed the need for 
better communication between local elected officials and the pipeline 
companies servicing the Puget Sound area. We must remain vigilant in 
protecting our neighborhoods not only today but also in the future. 
Congress can help in this process by passing meaningful pipeline 
legislation this year.

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