The House passed an amended version of H.R. 2845, “Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011” on December 12, 2011 and the next day the Senate approved that bill by unanimous consent. The House bill was largely patterned after an earlier Senate version (S. 275), and reconciled slightly different versions from both
Federal/ State Legislation
House agreement reached on HR 2845 Amendment
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On December 7, 2011, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, working with the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate, reached an agreement regarding an amendment to HR 2845, “The Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011.” Most notably, the amendment would require verification of MAOP for all transmission lines located…
House Subcommittee Hearing regarding Keystone XL Pipeline
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In conjunction with its hearings on “The American Energy Initiative,” the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power conducted a hearing entitled, “Expediting the Keystone XL Pipeline: Energy Security and Jobs.” Click here for more information.
House introduces North American Energy Access Act
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Republican Congressman Lee Terry of Nebraska introduced HR 3548. that would, among other things, transfer to the decision to review the Keystone XL project to FERC. In addition, FERC would be required to make a decision approving or denying the project within 30 days based on the Final EIS issued in August of 2011. FERC…
Senate introduces North American Energy Security Act
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Senate Republicans introduced Senate bill 1932 that would, among other things, require the Secretary of State to grant a permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline within 60 days unless the President were to publicly determine that the pipeline is “not in the national interest.” Click here for a copy of the bill.
Representative Connolly (D-VA) introduced the Protecting Neighborhoods from Oil Pollution Act of 2011
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This bill, H.R. 3426, would amend the Clean Water Act to require the closure of (1) any oil storage or processing facility that is within one mile of 100 or more dwellings and has had two or more discharges within a 10 year period, or (2) where the facility is the source of groundwater contamination…
S. 275 Passed in Senate
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The Senate passed S. 275 by unanimous consent as amended by Senator Rand Paul who previously opposed the bill and blocked its consideration on the Senate floor for several months. S. Amdt.784 amended S. 275 to require DOT to issue regulations within 18 months of enactment of the bill that require testing to confirm the…
HR 2937 Amended and Passed in Committee
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The House Energy and Commerce Committee took up HR 2937, Pipeline Infrastructure and Community Protection Act of 2011. Click here to view the amended bill. HR 2937 will then have to be reconciled with HR 2845.
HR 2845 Amended by Voice Vote
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The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee amended and approved HR 2845, The Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 by voice vote. This bill appears to impose a less prescriptive approach to pipeline safety regulations and is more favored by industry. Click here to view this bill. Click here to view the…
Clean Rivers Act of 2011
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Senators Baucus and Tester introduced the Clean Rivers Act of 2011 to address perceived gaps in pipeline safety and transparency as a result of the Yellowstone incident. This bill proposes to require PHMSA to review river pipeline crossing regulations and revise them, boost leak detection standards, and update spill response plans. Click here to view…