[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE PIPELINE INSPECTION ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANICE HAHN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2014

  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the Pipeline 
Inspection Enforcement Act of 2014 to prevent oil pipeline leaks like 
the one that greatly damaged the community of Wilmington, CA.
  Los Angeles is home to one of the most vast pipeline networks in the 
United States. Both oil and gas pipelines connect the Port of Los 
Angeles and the Port of Long Beach with the refineries in the area. 
Therefore, pipeline safety is a very important topic for me and the 
communities which make up the neighborhoods surrounding the Port of Los 
Angeles--including Wilmington, a primarily working class community. I 
have represented Wilmington for over 10 years--first on the Los Angeles 
City Council, and now as a Member of Congress.
  Because Wilmington sits on top of one of the largest oil fields in 
the nation and a complex system of pipelines, this community lives with 
a heightened threat of a pipeline leaking or exploding. This became an 
unfortunate reality for many residents of Wilmington this March when an 
idle pipeline burst, causing thousands of gallons of crude oil to spill 
onto a residential street reeking havoc on the lives of families who 
live in the community.
  The legislation I am introducing today would have prevented the 
damage these families experienced by forcing companies like Phillip 66 
to simply have firsthand knowledge of what their pipelines contain and 
empowering our state regulatory agencies to be engaged in pipeline 
inspections.
  These basic improvements to federal policy would protect countless 
communities like Wilmington at no additional cost. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues in Congress to make this legislation law.

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