[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 73 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      STATEMENT ON PIPELINE SAFETY, H.R. 3609 TRANSPORTATION AND 
                    INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MARKUP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 2002

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, the health and safety of our citizens is 
a central part of a livable community. We in Congress have a special 
responsibility to ensure that the federal government is doing all it 
can to make our communities safe. Sadly, in the area of pipeline safety 
we have fallen short. Between 1986-1999, 23 fatalities, 113 injuries, 
and $68 million in property damage resulted from 411 pipeline 
accidents. In the Pacific Northwest, two ten-year-old boys were killed 
in a 1999 pipeline explosion in Bellingham, Washington.
  The bill before us today is a much-needed attempt to improve the 
federal government's role in pipeline safety, guarantee compliance from 
pipeline operators, and promote a more environmentally sound operation 
of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems. Four areas in 
particular I would like to see improved are integrity management, 
environmental review, whistleblower protection and the public's right 
to know.
  Of these priorities, one that is of great importance to the families 
who live in communities with pipelines is the right to know the 
locations of these pipelines. Citizens have the right to know if a 
pipeline crosses near a school, hospital or important community 
landmark. These are not state secrets and the community's access to 
this information does not impair our nation's security. Many pipeline 
maps are already in the public realm and are posted on various public 
interest group web sites. Increasing public access to this information 
can only make our communities safer as the public will be more 
knowledgeable of where spills or leaks could occur.
  While I support efforts to improve pipeline safety, I am concerned 
with any approach that would limit community awareness of the potential 
hazards of pipeline facilities. The public and the pipeline industry 
recognize the need to increase safety through appropriate federal 
supervision and protection. We must not fall short on our federal 
responsibility.

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