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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 18, 2019 12:09 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Andrew E. Dinniman |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Subject: Pipeline “End-of-Life” Studies |
| I will soon introduce legislation to require pipeline operators transporting natural gas and natural gas liquids to conduct an end of life study on all pipelines in our Commonwealth over 50 years of age. Environmental impacts from corrosion and damage increase the risk of catastrophic events causing damage to property and increasing the risk to public safety. Even with best management practices and proper inspection schedules, outdated pipelines unnecessarily place our communities in harm’s way. This risk is compounded when pipelines, some constructed during the Roosevelt Administration, are permitted to transport highly volatile products at extreme pressure through dense population centers. With this in mind, my legislation will require pipeline operators and regulators to determine at what point a pipeline transporting natural gas and natural gas liquids should be abandoned and decommissioned in the interest of environmental and public safety. It is important to note that this legislation is modeled after a regulatory settlement through the Public Utility Commissions Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement following the failure of an antiquated pipeline in Berks County. Similar, this legislation builds on a legislative recommendation from Governor Tom Wolf in February 2019, calling for a remaining life study and independent review of operational longevity for specific outdated pipelines in our Commonwealth. It is my strong belief that, in the interest of public safety, pipelines transporting highly volatile products through our communities have a functional expiration date and I welcome your support to require end of life studies for antiquated pipelines. |
Introduced as SB677