House Energy Subcommittee holds bipartisan hearing on PHMSA reauthorization and pipeline safety
Loading...
Summary
Witnesses and members of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy on Oct. 25 examined PHMSA's implementation of the PIPES Act of 2020, agency staffing and funding, the status of required rulemakings, and options to modernize pipeline oversight.
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy convened a hearing on Oct. 25 to examine reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's pipeline safety program and implementation of the PIPES Act of 2020.
The subcommittee's chair, Chairman Latta, said the panel would "examine the pipeline and hazardous materials safety administration's PHMSA Pipeline Safety Program," describing pipelines as "the safest and most efficient mode of transportation for oil, natural gas, liquid energy products, and hazardous materials" and stressing bipartisan reauthorization. Ranking Member Castor countered that pipelines can be dangerous and urged sustained funding and staff at PHMSA to protect public safety.
At the hearing, four witnesses—Andrew Black, president and CEO of the Liquid Energy Pipeline Association; Sarah Miller, president and CEO of GPA Midstream; Bill Karam, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust; and Jim Moriarty, executive vice president and general counsel at Chesapeake Utilities Corporation—testified on industry safety performance, rulemakings, enforcement, information sharing and emerging risks such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen pipelines.
Witnesses and members diverged on some points but agreed on several themes: (1) PHMSA must focus on pipeline safety; (2) Congress should reauthorize PHMSA with clear priorities; (3) the agency needs staff with technical expertise; and (4) technology and state-federal coordination can play roles in safety improvements. Industry witnesses emphasized modernization, performance-based regulation, and targeted reforms to the special-permit and technology demonstration processes. Safety advocates urged stronger enforcement, broader adoption of pipeline safety management systems, and specific measures such as home methane detectors and better corrosion and geohazard rules.
Members used the hearing to press for different priorities. Several Democrats focused on enforcement and on rulemakings that were finalized and later withdrawn, while Republicans emphasized the role of pipelines in energy security and asked how PHMSA can integrate new technologies without imposing counterproductive mandates.
The subcommittee did not vote on legislation at the hearing. Members said they plan further hearings and exchanged views about possible bipartisan paths to a reauthorization that balances safety, modernization and predictable regulation.
The hearing record will remain open for members' additional questions to witnesses and PHMSA; members said they expect follow-up oversight and legislative drafting in coming weeks.
