[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    INTRODUCTION OF THE PIPELINE INSPECTION ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANICE HAHN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2016

  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, today, I am reintroducing the Pipeline 
Inspection Enforcement Act to prevent oil pipeline leaks like the one 
that greatly damaged the community of Wilmington, California in my 
district.
  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.
  Since 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 two years ago when 
a pipeline ruptured, causing thousands of gallons of crude oil to spill 
onto a residential street wreaking havoc on the lives of families who 
live in the community.
  When Phillips purchased the pipeline, they were told that it was 
empty. In 15 years, the pipeline was not inspected to ensure that it 
was true.
  As a result, the people in Wilmington paid the price.
  I remember racing over there the morning it happened and discovering 
that yards were destroyed and homes were damaged. The smell of oil made 
people sick. The residents had to deal with the noise of jackhammers 
tearing up streets to locate the leak. Some people could not leave 
their houses and get to work.
  The legislation I am reintroducing today would have prevented the 
damage these families experienced by forcing companies like Phillips 66 
to simply have firsthand knowledge of what their pipelines contain. My 
legislation will ensure that a company purchasing a pipeline does its 
due diligence and inspects the status of the pipelines they purchase 
within 180 days of the sale. This inspection needs to have third party 
verification by either PHMSA or a state authority.
  It is neglectful not to inspect the pipelines. The oil spill 
endangered the health and safety of many of my constituents as well as 
property damage and costs to the local economy.
  These basic improvements to federal policy would protect countless 
communities like Wilmington. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues in Congress to make this legislation law.

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