08/12/24 - 147 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/288ebs9j
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House Committee Holds Hearing On Pipeline Safety Bill
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The House Consumer Affairs Committee this week held a hearing on legislation-- House Bill 344 (Baker-R-Tioga)-- which would give the Public Utility Commission additional authority to regulate natural gas pipeline safety.
The PUC and Pennsylvania gas industry representatives voiced their support for the legislation, saying it is essential to protect the safety of Pennsylvania citizens.
Rep. Bob Godshall (R-Montgomery), Majority Chair of the Committee, said the legislation is timely in light of the amount of pipeline development under way and being planned. He said safety is the bottom line.
"There are very few federal inspectors," said Rep. Godshall. "It's not that the gathering lines are not inspected, but they are inspected when the inspectors can get there. With all the wells that are being drilled in Pennsylvania and all the development that we have with the Marcellus Shale, it's vitally important that these lines are inspected on a regular basis by our state people who know what they are doing -- using the same guidelines that have been established by the federal government."
Under the plan, Rep. Godshall said the PUC would follow federal guidelines and coordinate with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to perform the inspections. The cost of the inspections would be covered by a federal grant to the PUC and through registration fees.
Testimony is available online for: James Cawley, outgoing Chair of the PUC, Louis D'Amico, President PA Independent Oil and Gas Association, Rolf Hanson, Associated Petroleum Industries of PA, David Callahan, Marcellus Shale Coalition, Edward Mann, State Fire Commissioner, John Leary, Gas Superintendant, Borough of Chambersburg and Douglas Pipeline Company.
Rep. Godshall announced the Committee will consider House Bill 344 on March 1.
Rep. Joseph Preston (D-Allegheny) serves as Minority Chair of the Committee.
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2/28/2011 |
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