[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PIPELINE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2000

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2438, the Pipeline 
Safety Improvement Act. Almost all Members agree that S. 2438 
significantly increases government safety regulation in the safest 
sector of America's transportation industry. I commend the Senate for 
swiftly and overwhelmingly passing this legislation, making pipeline 
safety legislation up to the House.
  I would like to begin with the safety record in the pipeline 
industry. According to Office of Pipeline Safety statistics, 76 
unforgettable, tragic fatalities were reported for liquid and gas 
pipeline accidents from 1986 to 1999. According to the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration statistics, 10,772 equally tragic 
fatalities resulted from accidents involving large trucks in 1997 and 
1998 alone. One could easily say that the current pipeline 
transportation system, which transports explosive, hazardous materials, 
is hundreds of times safer than the transportation system that carries 
the large majority of America's economic output. However, everyone 
knows a ``good'' safety record is not enough. We must always keep 
working to improve the status quo.
  Some of my colleagues will argue that this is an ``industry bill'' 
and is actually a fake. I respect their desire to appear independent, 
but I strongly disagree. Clearly the U.S. Senate, including many 
particularly independent Senators, feels that this bill significantly 
increases public safety. The bill strengthens reporting by a factor of 
420. Spills over 2,100 gallons are reported now, spills over 5 gallons 
would be reported under S. 2438. The bill increases daily fines by a 
factor of 20 ($25K to $500K). The pipeline industry is part of the 
fundamental energy base of our economy and has a strong safety record 
overall. It would be unwise and unjust to disproportionally attack an 
industry that is vital to the economy and significantly safer than the 
predominate mode of transportation.
  Mr. Speaker, for those concerned with pipeline inspection, I would 
like to remind them that S. 2438 will provide much needed momentum for 
the issuance of DOT mandatory testing requirements, and sets a deadline 
of December 31, 2001. The bill authorizes funds to develop and 
implement these regulations. If S. 2438 is passed and signed, every 
interstate pipeline operator will be required to submit a detailed, 
integrated safety program to the DOT. The bill also provides for 
research and development into new inspection techniques.
  In summary, this bill provides higher standards, stiffer enforcement, 
and authorizes over $170 million to make it possible. The bill is 
supported by the Secretary of Transportation, the U.S. Senate, and a 
large bipartisan group of my colleagues.
  I sympathize with the opposition to this bill. However, in this 
diverse body, we must sometimes accept imperfect legislation without as 
much opportunity for input as we would like. I believe that this bill 
is a large step in the right direction on pipeline safety. I also 
believe that this bill does not place the blame for accidents on 
individual employees. Section 14, ``Operator Assistance in 
Investigations'', allows the DOT to direct the suspension of an 
employee that directly and substantially contributed to an accident. 
The employee may return to work if they are later cleared of blame or 
are retrained. The legislation does not state that an employee on the 
scene is culpable or an automatic suspect.
  This is our last chance to improve public pipeline safety this year. 
Do not wait for further accidents to move on this issue. I urge all my 
colleagues to support the improvement of pipeline safety.

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