Committee approves PIPES Act of 2025 to expand PHMSA authority, increase pipeline funding and set safety rules for emerging pipeline types

Chairman Graves and committee supporters described HR 5301, the PIPES Act of 2025, as a bipartisan, four‑year reauthorization and enhancement of pipeline safety programs administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The committee adopted a manager's amendment and the amendment in the nature of a substitute and ordered the bill favorably reported to the House.

Ranking member Larson and other members cited recent pipeline accidents and fatalities and urged stronger oversight. Larson said the bill responds to numerous incidents and restores resources to pipeline safety, including technical assistance grants and measures to improve transparency and public engagement. Committee debate included multiple technical and policy additions: authorization of funds for pipeline safety activities; new rulemaking for pipelines transporting gaseous carbon dioxide; studies on hydrogen blending and geohazards; and funding authorizations to repair or replace leak‑prone natural gas distribution pipelines.

The markup record lists specific funding authorizations voiced during debate: committee discussion included a figure of $1,500,000,000 in funding over four years for PHMSA pipeline safety activities, an increase of $56,000,000 for state pipeline safety programs, and authorization of $450,000,000 to repair or replace leak‑prone publicly owned natural gas distribution pipelines. The manager's amendment added provisions clarifying drone and satellite inspection authority and made technical corrections to grant programs.

Representative Perry offered an amendment (No. 159) to strike the bill's section on gaseous carbon dioxide pipelines; that amendment was defeated in a recorded committee vote, 5 yeas to 54 nays. Members opposing the strike said the provision is intended to ensure PHMSA sets safety standards for potential new carbon dioxide pipelines and to prevent unsafe miles of pipeline being built without clear standards. The committee adopted the ANS as amended and ordered HR 5301 favorably reported to the House; the transcript records the 5–54 tally for the defeated amendment and indicates the final bill was agreed to by voice vote and reported to the House.