On June 19, the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee amended and reported out Senate Bill 258 (Dinniman-D-Chester, Killion-R-Delaware), a bipartisan initiative to improve emergency response to pipeline incidents (sponsor summary) and Senate Bill 284 (Killion-R- Delaware, Dinniman-D-Chester) require pipeline companies to provide current emergency response plans to PUC (sponsor summary).

 Senate Bill 258 was amended to take out provisions designating high consequence areas of population concentrations for special attention under emergency plan notification procedures.

Senate Bill 284 was amended to clarify the bill does not apply to local natural gas distribution companies.

“Keeping residents safe and protecting their homes and property is not a partisan issue,” said Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware). “Our bills are designed to protect the communities affected by these pipelines, and I’m happy to work with any of my colleagues who share that priority.”

“There must be no bureaucratic barrier between those responsible for county emergency services and the information they need ensure our first responders are following through on effective and well informed plans to keep our communities in Pennsylvania safe,” said Sen. Killion.

“These two bills work hand-in-hand to better protect our communities by ensuring that emergency response officials have the accurate and up-to-date information they need to adequately respond to a pipeline rupture and potentially avert disaster and save lives,” said Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester).

“Pipeline safety benefits everyone. I’d hope that all pipeline companies would willingly partner with our communities to better ensure strong safety precautions and emergency response plans. For those that won’t or don’t, these bills represent a major step forward in making that law,” said Sen. Dinniman.

The bills are now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Senators Andy Dinniman and Tom Killion have also introduced a comprehensive  package of bills dealing with a variety of issues related to pipelines.

Sen. Dinniman also recently introduced Senate Bill 677 which would require pipeline operators conduct an end of life study on all hazardous liquid pipelines over 50 years of age.

Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) serves as Majority Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5072 or sending email to: rtomlinson@pasen.gov.  Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-4236 or sending email to: boscola@pasenate.com.

(Photo: Senators Dinniman, Killion.)

NewsClips:

Editorial: Make Pipeline Safety A Priority

Energy Transfer Appeals DEP Order On Revolution Pipeline To EHB

[Posted: June 19, 2019]

6/23/2019