[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 10, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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    SENATE RESOLUTION 181--DESIGNATING JUNE 10, 2009, AS ``NATIONAL 
                         PIPELINE SAFETY DAY''

  Mrs. MURRAY (for herself and Ms. Cantwell) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 181

       Whereas there are more than 2,000,000 miles of gas and 
     hazardous liquid pipelines in the United States that are 
     operated by more than 3,000 companies;
       Whereas gas and hazardous liquid pipelines play a vital 
     role in the lives of people in the United States by 
     delivering the energy needed to heat homes, drive cars, cook 
     food and operate businesses;
       Whereas, during the last decade, significant new pipelines 
     have been built to help move North American sources of oil 
     and gas to refineries and markets;
       Whereas, on June 10, 1999, a hazardous liquid pipeline 
     ruptured and exploded in a park in Bellingham, Washington, 
     killing 2 10-year-old boys and a young man, destroying a 
     salmon stream, and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in 
     damage and economic disruption;
       Whereas, in response to the pipeline tragedy on June 10, 
     1999, Congress enacted significant new pipeline safety 
     regulations, including in the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act 
     of 2002 (Public Law 107-355; 116 Stat. 2985) and the Pipeline 
     Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 
     (Public Law 109-468; 120 Stat. 3486);
       Whereas, during the last decade, the Pipelines and 
     Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the Department 
     of Transportation, with support from a diverse group of 
     stakeholders, has instituted a variety of important new rules 
     and pipeline safety initiatives, such as the Common Ground 
     Alliance, pipeline emergency training with the National 
     Association of State Fire Marshals, and the Pipelines and 
     Informed Planning Alliance;
       Whereas, even with pipeline safety improvements, in 2008 
     there were 274 significant pipeline incidents that caused 
     more than $395,000,000 of damage to property and disrupted 
     the economy;
       Whereas, even though pipelines are the safest method to 
     transport huge quantities of fuel, pipeline incidents are 
     still occurring, including the pipeline explosion in Edison, 
     New Jersey, in 1994 that left 100 people homeless, the butane 
     pipeline explosion in Texas in 1996 that left 2 teenagers 
     dead, the pipeline explosion near Carlsbad, New Mexico, in 
     2000 that killed 12 people in an extended family, the 
     pipeline explosion in Walnut Creek, California, in 2004 that 
     killed 5 workers, and the propane pipeline explosion in 
     Mississippi in 2007 that killed a teenager and her 
     grandmother;
       Whereas the millions of miles of pipelines are still ``out 
     of sight'', and therefore ``out of mind'' for the majority of 
     people, local governments, and businesses in the United 
     States, a situation that can lead to pipeline damage and a 
     general lack of oversight of pipelines;
       Whereas greater awareness of pipelines and pipeline safety 
     can improve public safety;
       Whereas a ``National Pipeline Safety Day'' can provide a 
     focal point for creating greater pipeline safety awareness; 
     and
       Whereas June 10, 2009, is the 10th anniversary of the 
     Bellingham, Washington, pipeline tragedy that was the impetus 
     for many of the safety improvements described in this 
     resolution and is an appropriate day to designate as 
     ``National Pipeline Safety Day'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates June 10, 2009, as ``National Pipeline Safety 
     Day'';
       (2) encourages State and local governments to observe the 
     day with appropriate activities that promote pipeline safety;
       (3) encourages all pipeline safety stakeholders to use the 
     day to create greater public awareness of all the 
     advancements that can lead to greater pipeline safety; and
       (4) encourages individuals throughout the United States to 
     become more aware of the pipelines that run through 
     communities in the United States and to encourage safe 
     practices and damage prevention relating to gas and hazardous 
     liquid pipelines.

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