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House subcommittee weighs reauthorization of PHMSA, staffing and PIPES Act provisions
Summary
A House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing focused on reauthorizing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), staffing needs, and provisions in the PIPES Act of 2023 to update oversight for emerging pipeline technologies and new pipeline types such as CO2 and hydrogen.
Chairman Webster convened the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials to review reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and related pipeline-safety policies. Witnesses and members discussed staffing, statutory direction, and provisions from the PIPES Act of 2023 aimed at modernizing PHMSA oversight.
The hearing opened with ranking member Representative Titus stressing the scale of the U.S. pipeline network and urging stronger federal capacity. "PHMSA's dedicated staff in the Office of Pipeline Safety ensures that the United States pipeline transportation network operates safely, reliably, and in an environmentally sound manner," Representative Titus said, noting that recent bills approved by the subcommittee would have authorized additional PHMSA staff to carry out inspection and enforcement work.
Why it matters: Members and witnesses said PHMSA needs explicit congressional direction and increased capacity to oversee a changing pipeline system that will include gaseous carbon dioxide and hydrogen lines. Without adequate staffing and clear regulatory tasks, witnesses warned, the agency will struggle to complete congressionally directed rulemakings and sustain enforcement.
Andy Black, president and CEO of the Liquid Energy Pipeline Association, testified that Congress should reauthorize PHMSA in a way that preserves the agency's ability to adopt new technologies and retain engineering expertise. "This committee has an important role ensuring our pipeline network is safe through pipeline safety reauthorization, allowing us to confidently expand our pipeline infrastructure," Black said.
Bill Karam, executive director of Pipeline Safety Trust, said reauthorization must pair stronger enforcement with resources. "Please give PHMSA the authority and the resources it needs to meet its responsibility to the American people," Karam said, pointing to recent deadly incidents and, he said, a lack of sufficient progress on safety.
Members of the subcommittee cited prior bipartisan work. The chair and multiple members referred to the PIPES Act of 2023 (HR 6494) as a starting point: the bill, they said, includes provisions ranging from special-permit reform and higher civil penalties to workforce authorizations and requirements for PHMSA to complete rulemakings on methane leak detection and CO2 pipelines. Several members urged Congress to finish passage and ensure PHMSA has staff to implement the law.
The witnesses and members also discussed the role of advisory bodies and PHMSA leadership. Industry witnesses urged frequent meetings of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) and other technical bodies so regulators and stakeholders can vet new technologies and standards. Several witnesses said a confirmed PHMSA administrator could help drive implementation of lingering rulemakings.
The hearing concluded without formal votes; members agreed they would continue drafting reauthorization language. Several panelists and legislators said the committee should press for both funding and clearer statutory direction so PHMSA can complete outstanding rulemakings and improve inspections and enforcement.
Looking ahead: The subcommittee signaled it will use oversight hearings and reauthorization language to try to reduce bureaucratic delay, bolster PHMSA's workforce and clarify the agency's authority to regulate newer pipeline types and advanced inspection technologies.
