PA Environment Digest

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) announced Friday he met with Cynthia Quarterman, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, and urged the top federal agency responsible for pipeline safety to step up its work to ensure the safety of the Commonwealth’s pipelines.

Sen. Casey and Administrator Quaterman had a positive conversation in which Senator Casey made the case that PHMSA must use its full resources to ensure the safety of Pennsylvania’s pipelines.

Specifically, Sen. Casey asked Administrator Quaterman to investigate ways her agency can help to speed up the replacement of cast-iron pipelines and what the state and PHMSA can do to be more transparent with residents about pipeline safety.

“We’ve made progress in improving pipeline safety since last year’s tragedy in Allentown, but there is much more that needs to be done,” Sen. Casey said. “Administrator Quaterman and PHMSA need to do all they can to ensure the speedy replacement of cast iron pipelines in the state and that residents are given transparent information in a timely manner.”

Sen. Casey also discussed ways in which PHMSA can coordinate with the Public Utilities Commission to train additional inspectors to help ensure that pipelines are properly maintained.

Sen. Casey has continuously pushed to increase the safety of pipelines. His pipeline safety bill, which has been signed into law, requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct regular surveys regarding the replacement and safe management of cast iron pipelines, including the anticipated rate of replacement and the progress that has been made.

This provision will help hold the industry more accountable and speed up the replacement of cast iron pipelines, some of which are over 100 years old in Pennsylvania.

In addition, his bill increases federal pipeline safety inspectors and requires automatic or remote controlled shut off valves for new pipelines. It also closes a loophole that exempts state departments from giving the DOT 48 hours’ notice of intent to drill. This will help prevent damage to pipelines.

Finally, the legislation requires public access to pipeline emergency response plans and increases civil penalties for pipeline safety violations.

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