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House, Senate Approve Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Bills
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Both the House and the Senate this week gave final approval to legislation granting regulatory oversight of the gathering lines to the Public Utility Commission in coordination with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration.
The bills are: House Bill 344 (Baker-R-Tioga) and Senate Bill 325 (Baker-R-Luzerne).
"With the influx of Marcellus Shale drilling across the state, the federal government has expressed an interest to coordinate oversight of natural gas pipelines with the Commonwealth," said Rep. Matt Baker. "Although the rapid development and growth of new pipelines has been overwhelmingly positive thus far, we need to make sure that appropriate safety measures are adhered to and that our citizenry and the environment are protected as much as possible."
Rep. Baker noted that this type of authority is not a new concept and that out of the current 31 natural gas producing states, including Pennsylvania, 29 have statutory authority to regulate gas gathering lines.
"This is just one legislative measure that will help increase the safety of Marcellus Shale drilling and production in Pennsylvania," said Rep. Baker. "This legislation will allow the PUC to regulate natural gas pipelines without having to deem them a public utility. Therefore, the power of eminent domain is not extended. This legislation does nothing more than bring the Commonwealth in line with how other natural gas producing states are handling regulatory oversight in conjunction with the federal government."
Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) said, "This legislation reflects a lot of responsible planning, negotiating, and refining on the part of legislators, regulators, companies, and experts in utility law. The process is driven by a real sense of urgency in communities across much of our Commonwealth. What was a good bill was made better by an amendment that brought Class 1 pipelines under the registration requirement, providing much needed protection.
"One of the pressing public concerns arising as a result of the Marcellus Shale drilling is oversight of all aspects of the operations. We have moved to upgrade and expand laws, regulations, inspections, every piece of the apparatus necessary to protect communities and the environment.
If someone asks how much pipeline will be laid as the result of the Marcellus Shale development, the honest and indefensible answer is no one knows.
"This legislation is necessary because someone must know. Local officials need to know. Emergency response units certainly need to know. Environmental protection agencies need to know."
The Senate or House must give final approval to one of these bills before it becomes law.
NewsClips: Baker Bill Will Improve Pipeline Safety
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4/11/2011 |
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