Click here to watch a clip of Fred's opening remarks

At this morning’s Energy and Power Subcommittee markup, Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, called for bipartisan support of the “Pipeline Infrastructure and Community Protection Act of 2011.”  This legislation, jointly sponsored by Upton and Congressman John D. Dingell (D-Dearborn), makes vital improvements to our nation’s vast pipeline infrastructure.  U.S. pipeline safety is an issue of high priority for Upton, who is committed to making overdue updates to current pipeline standards.  The bill passed the Subcommittee by voice vote and will next be considered before the full Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Ensuring the integrity of our nation’s vast pipeline infrastructure is a matter of great importance to the public health and environment,” said Upton.  “Pipeline safety is an issue that hits particularly close to home here in southwest Michigan, given last summer’s Enbridge pipeline rupture which tragically caused a massive spill into the Kalamazoo River.  The status quo is unacceptable, which is why serious, bipartisan reform of our nation’s existing pipeline safety standards is necessary.  As we work to meet our growing energy needs, we must contend with the fact that pipelines will continue to play an essential role in transporting vital energy supplies to folks in southwest Michigan and across the United States.”

The July 25, 2010, Enbridge pipeline rupture in Marshall, Michigan, a city east of Upton’s congressional district, resulted in the spill of 20,000 barrels of oil into the Talmadge Creek, a tributary of the Kalamazoo River.  Upon receiving notification of the spill, Upton worked aggressively with local officials and state and federal agencies to mitigate the incident’s impact on public health, property, and the environment.

Pipeline safety and integrity are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).  PHMSA regulations set standards on the construction, operation, and spill response for the nation’s pipelines, and inspection and enforcement activities rely upon partnerships with state agencies.

Congress last addressed comprehensive pipeline safety legislation in 2006 with the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety (PIPES) Act.