“ACCOUNTABLE PIPELINE SAFETY AND PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 1996” published by Congressional Record on Oct. 4, 1996

Volume 142, No. 142 covering the 2nd Session of the 104th Congress (1995 - 1996) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“ACCOUNTABLE PIPELINE SAFETY AND PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 1996” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1921 on Oct. 4, 1996.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

ACCOUNTABLE PIPELINE SAFETY AND PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 1996

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speech of

HON. BUD SHUSTER

of pennsylvania

in the house of representatives

Friday, September 27, 1996

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I wish to address a concern that was raised at the last minute that this bill may somehow affect protection for wetlands. Under the current pipeline safety laws, in section 60109 of title 49, the Office of Pipeline Safety at the Department of Transportation is required to identify unusually sensitive environmental areas. Once these areas have been identified, DOT is to promulgate rules to minimize the chances of a liquid pipeline accident in those areas. DOT is currently in the process of implementing these laws.

Currently, subsection (b) of section 60109 does not specify which areas should be identified as unusually environmentally sensitive; rather, it identifies several types of areas that DOT should consider when making its determination. In fact, current law does not even identify wetlands as one of the areas DOT should look at when identifying areas that should be classified as unusually environmentally sensitive. That is why the Congress in S. 1505 directed DOT to include critical wetlands in the types of areas that it should consider when it determines areas that are unusually environmentally sensitive.

Apparently, at the last minute, the use of the term ``critical'' has raised a question as to whether the Congress is somehow attempting to create a new category of wetlands that might undermine other wetlands protection programs carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Corps of Engineers. This is not true.

The language in S. 1505 that amends section 60109(b) of title 49 is simply intended to give direction to DOT as to what type of areas should be considered when it determines what areas are unusually environmentally sensitive. In no way is this provision intended to have any application or precedent with respect to any other statute or any other Federal agency. This provision is not intended to diminish the role of DOT to protect the environment and the public's safety in and around pipelines. Rather, this language is intended to strengthen the pipeline safety program's protection of people and the environment.

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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 142, No. 142