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(H) the need to mitigate negative impacts to the global climate and avoid unnecessarily prolonging the life span of fossil fuel infrastructure; and(I) transition plans toward non-emitting alternatives.
(17) non-emitting alternative means a technological or efficiency-related energy solution that does not entail the use of fossil fuels that are directly or indirectly related to the greenhouse effect, including electrification, renewable energy sources, networked geothermal systems, storage, efficiency, and behavior change;
(ii) None of the individuals selected for a committee under paragraph (3)(C) may have a financial interest in the pipeline, petroleum, ethanol, or gas industries, including through direct ownership, consulting fees, wages, or research funding provided directly to the individual, but not including any compensation for a pipeline easement on the property of the individual.
(i) Two(C)
(iii) All individuals under consideration for selection for a committee under paragraph (3)(C) shall submit to the Secretary such financial records for the previous year as the Secretary determines necessary to evaluate compliance with clause (ii). All individuals selected for a committee under paragraph (3)(C) shall submit to the Secretary, prior to appointment and annually thereafter for so long as the individual is a member of the committee, such financial records for the previous year as the Secretary determines necessary to evaluate compliance with clause (ii).(iv) The Secretary shall provide reasonable compensation for members of each committee that are appointed under paragraph (3)(C). Such compensation shall not make a member of a committee an officer or employee of the Federal Government in determining eligibility for membership on the applicable committee.
(i) each standard proposed under this chapter for—(I) transporting gas; or(II) gas pipeline facilities; and(ii) analyses supporting each proposed standard described in clause (i);
(i) each standard proposed under this chapter for—(I) transporting hazardous liquid; or(II) hazardous liquid pipeline facilities; and(ii) analyses supporting each proposed standard described in clause (i).
(12) Rupture-mitigation valves on pipelines in high consequence areas
(A) Definitions
(i) Class 3 or 4 location
The term Class 3 or 4 location, with respect to a gas pipeline facility, means, as applicable—(I) a Class 3 location (as defined in section 192.5(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)); or(II) a Class 4 location (as defined in that section).(ii) Covered location
The term covered location means—(I) a high consequence area; and(II) a location where a rupture could affect—(aa) a high consequence area; or(bb) a Class 3 or 4 location.(iii) Covered pipeline
The term covered pipeline means an existing or newly constructed pipeline, 6 inches or greater in diameter, that is—(I) a gas transmission pipeline;(II) a type A onshore gathering pipeline (as described in section 192.8(c) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation));(III) a hazardous liquid pipeline; or(IV) a carbon dioxide pipeline.(iv) High consequence area
The term high consequence area means—(I) with respect to a gas pipeline facility, a high consequence area (as defined in section 192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)); and(II) with respect to a hazardous liquid pipeline facility or relevant carbon dioxide pipeline facility, a high consequence area (as defined in section 195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)).(B) Isolation of pipeline segments
Beginning on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, an operator of a covered pipeline any portion of which is in a covered location shall, as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 minutes after rupture identification, fully isolate any ruptured pipeline segment that is in a covered location, in order to minimize the volume of product released from the pipeline and mitigate the consequences of the rupture.(C) Demonstration of compliance
(i) Existing pipelines in covered locations
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, each operator of a covered pipeline any portion of which is in a covered location as of that date of enactment shall demonstrate the ability of the operator to comply with the requirements of subparagraph (B).(ii) Subsequent determinations
Beginning on the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, not later than 5 years after an existing covered pipeline is determined to be in a covered location, the operator of that covered pipeline shall demonstrate the ability of the operator to isolate the applicable segment of the covered pipeline not later than 30 minutes after rupture identification, in accordance with subparagraph (B), unless the operator has received a waiver in accordance with subparagraph (D) with respect to the applicable segment that is in effect on the expiration of that 5-year period.(D) Waiver on request
The Secretary may approve a waiver of the requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (C) on the request of an operator of a covered pipeline if the request—(I) demonstrates, in the determination of the Secretary, that meeting the 30-minute standard described in subparagraph (B) is operationally, technologically, or economically infeasible; and(II) describes the methodology used to reach, and the results of studies supporting, that conclusion;(i)(I) includes the estimated—(aa) isolation time; and(bb) consequences of a worst-case scenario failure on the impacted high consequence area or Class 3 or 4 location; and(II) demonstrates that the operator has involved the local emergency services in developing those estimates;(ii)(iii) demonstrates that the public within the impacted area and the immediately surrounding areas has been informed of the consequences of a rupture and consulted with respect to a waiver, including by providing the estimated isolation time; and(iv) for a pipeline segment for which a rupture could affect a high consequence area that is an unusually sensitive area (as defined in section 195.6 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)), demonstrates that relevant environmental and public safety groups have been informed of, and consulted with respect to, the consequences of a rupture and the request for a waiver.(E) Expiration, renewal, and required review
(i) Expiration
A waiver granted by the Secretary under subparagraph (D) shall expire 5 years after the date on which the waiver was granted.(ii) Renewal
A waiver granted by the Secretary under subparagraph (D) may be renewed on the submission by the operator of a new request in accordance with that subparagraph, subject to such revision as the Secretary determines to be appropriate based on a review of the request.(iii) Required review
(I) In general
Not later than 180 days after the occurrence of an event described in subclause (II), an operator receiving a waiver under subparagraph (D) shall—(aa) review the waiver; and(bb) submit to the Secretary a new request for a waiver in accordance with that subparagraph, including such revisions as the operator determines appropriate based on a review of the applicable event described in that subclause.(II) Events described
An event referred to in subclause (I) is any of the following:(aa) A significant incident anywhere on the network of pipelines of the operator.(bb) A change in the operational status of the applicable pipeline segment that may impact the safe operation of the pipeline facility or the consequences of a rupture.(cc) A change in the built or natural environment that may impact the safe operation of the pipeline facility or the consequences of a rupture.(dd) A change in the organizational structure of the operator, including a change in staffing levels or locations, that would affect the ability of the operator to isolate the applicable pipeline segment within the required time.(III) Review by the Secretary
On receipt of a request under subclause (I)(bb), the Secretary shall—(aa) review the request; and(bb) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate—(AA) grant a new waiver under subparagraph (D) with such revisions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate;(BB) revoke the existing waiver and require compliance with subparagraphs (B) and (C); or(CC) require the submission of a revised request by a date determined by the Secretary, addressing such matters as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.(IV) Expiration due to inaction
If an operator has not submitted to the Secretary a request in accordance with item (bb) of subclause (I) by the date described in that subclause, the existing waiver shall expire as of that date.(F) Rulemaking
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, the Secretary shall promulgate new, or revise existing, regulations to carry out this paragraph.
(h) Office of Public Engagement
(1) Definitions
In this subsection:(A) Appropriate committees of Congress
The term appropriate committees of Congress has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025.(B) Covered facility
The term covered facility means—(i) a covered pipeline (as defined in section 60109(c)(12)(A));(ii) a liquefied natural gas pipeline facility (as defined in section 60101(a)); and(iii) an underground natural gas storage facility (as defined in section 60101(a)).(C) Director
The term Director means the Director of the Office appointed under paragraph (3).(D) Environmental justice community
The term environmental justice community means a community with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or Tribal and Indigenous communities, that experiences, or is at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects.(E) Incident
The term incident has the meaning given the term in section 191.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).(F) Low-income community
The term low-income community means a census block group in which 30 percent or more of the population are individuals with an annual household income equal to, or less than, the greatest of—(i) an amount equal to 80 percent of the median income of the area in which the household is located, as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development;(ii) 200 percent of the Federal poverty line; and(iii) a level of income higher than the levels described in clauses (i) and (ii), as determined by the Secretary.(G) Office
The term Office means the Office of Public Engagement of the Administration established under paragraph (2).(2) Establishment
(A) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall establish within the Administration an office, to be known as the “Office of Public Engagement”.(B) Process
Before establishing the Office under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall—(i) seek and incorporate public input regarding the responsibilities of the Office, including through in-person public meetings, prioritizing input from individuals without financial interests in the pipeline, petroleum, ethanol, or gas industries, including environmental justice communities and experts in community engagement; and(ii) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a summary of the input received pursuant to clause (i) and an explanation of how that input will be integrated into the establishment of the Office.(C) Compensation
The Administrator may provide reasonable compensation for those providing input pursuant to subparagraph (B) in order to facilitate the participation of environmental justice communities.(3) Director
The Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall—(A) be appointed by the Administrator;(B) report to the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety; and(C) be responsible for the discharge of the functions and duties of the Office.(4) Employees
The Director may appoint, and assign the duties of, employees of the Office.(5) Duties and functions of the Office
(A) Coordination of assistance
The Director shall coordinate the provision of assistance, including financial assistance, technical assistance, and educational assistance to the public, with respect to the authorities exercised by the Administration, including by proactive and targeted community outreach that incorporates—(i) accessible communications;(ii) the provision of in-person and online communications; and(iii) translations to languages spoken by impacted populations.(B) Public engagement
The Director shall coordinate active and ongoing engagement with the public with respect to the authority and activities of the Administration, including by—(i) conducting—(I) proactive outreach, which may include public postings, signage at relevant physical locations, newspaper publications, utility bill inserts, mailings, phone calls, canvassing, and door hangers, to communities, especially environmental justice communities, using varied media; and(II) meetings, set at times and places to maximize the number of community members who can conveniently attend, with appropriate services, including, if the Director determines it would have a meaningful impact on participation by members of affected environmental justice communities—(aa) translation and interpreting services;(bb) virtual attendance; and(cc) reasonable funding for transportation to and from meetings, food, and caregiving;(ii) establishing an independent, neutral, accessible, confidential, and standardized process to receive, review, process, and follow up on inquiries, complaints, and allegations with respect to the activities of the Administration and entities regulated by the Administration, including with respect to cracks and leaks in pipeline infrastructure identified by workers and community members;(iii) assisting individuals in responding to and resolving inquiries, complaints, and allegations described in clause (ii);(iv) making publicly available, and proactively disseminating, information on the manner in which members of the public may file inquiries, complaints, and allegations;(v) coordinating with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, State agencies, and, as necessary, other agencies to direct public inquiries that are not within the jurisdiction of the Administration to the relevant agency;(vi) preparing, and making publicly available in accessible formats, educational materials about the Administration, the responsibilities of the Administration, and how those responsibilities interact with entities under the jurisdiction of the Administration and other Federal, State, local, or Tribal government agencies;(vii) assisting local first responders, local officials, and community members—(I) to develop their own emergency management plans; and(II) to prepare to respond to all potential adverse scenarios relating to covered facility malfunctions, including to evacuate on short notice if necessary; and(viii) making publicly available, and proactively disseminating, information on local evacuation plans to the surrounding community.(C) Post-incident support
The Director shall facilitate, including by directing impacted individuals to the appropriate agency and coordinating with relevant counterparts at other agencies, appropriate remediation, environmental testing, and assistance with compensation in the case of leaks, incidents, accidents, or other relevant events.
(1) In general
The Secretary
(2) Public hearings
In proposing rules under this chapter, including revisions to those rules, the Secretary shall hold at least 1 public hearing to address each proposed rule or revision.
(B) Notice requirement
With respect to data requested from operators under subparagraph (A)(vi), the Secretary
(iii) Information on the matters described in paragraph (2)(E).(iv) The location and type of any valves installed on the pipeline.
(a) Definitions
In this section:(1) Class location
The term class location means a class location described in section 192.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).(2) Covered facility
The term covered facility means—(A) a covered pipeline (as defined in section 60109(c)(12)(A));(B) a liquefied natural gas pipeline facility; and(C) an underground natural gas storage facility.(3) High consequence area
The term high consequence area means—(A) with respect to a gas pipeline facility, a high consequence area (as defined in section 192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)); and(B) with respect to a hazardous liquid pipeline facility or relevant carbon dioxide pipeline facility, a high consequence area (as defined in section 195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)).(4) Maximum allowable operating pressure
The term maximum allowable operating pressure has the meaning given the term in section 192.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).(5) Maximum operating pressure
The term maximum operating pressure has the meaning given the term in section 195.2 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).(6) Moderate consequence area
The term moderate consequence area has the meaning given the term in section 192.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).(7) Potential impact area
The term potential impact area means the area in which the potential failure of a pipeline may be expected to have a significant impact on persons, property, or the environment (as defined in section 2 of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025).(8) Potential impact radius
The term potential impact radius has the meaning given the term in section 192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).(b) Information To be provided
(1) Information to be provided to the Secretary
(A) In general
The
(2) Information to be provided to the public
(A) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, each operator of a covered facility shall provide to the public, free of charge, on a publicly accessible website, in a simple and consolidated form—(i) information about the substances being transported by pipelines managed by the operator, including any blended products, any relevant odorants, and any contaminants;(ii) the plans that have been made for the decommissioning of—(I) each abandoned pipeline of the operator; and(II) each removed or remediated pipeline of the operator;(iii) contact information for the operator and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration;(iv) relevant portions of operator emergency response plans needed by the public to prepare State, local, commercial, nonprofit, and personal emergency response plans;(v) information about how far buildings are required to be set back from a pipeline; and(vi) for carbon dioxide pipelines—(I) the results of any dispersion modeling performed; and(II) any estimates of the zone in which carbon dioxide concentrations could be fatal in the event of a pipeline rupture.(B) Updates
The information provided under subparagraph (A) shall be updated as necessary, but not less frequently than once each year.(C) Annual notification
(i) In general
Each operator of a covered facility shall, not less frequently than annually, provide to the recipients described in clause (ii) a notification that includes all information described in subparagraph (A) with respect to the covered facility.(ii) Recipients described
The recipients referred to in clause (i) are—(I) the Secretary;(II) the owners of all occupied residences and operational commercial structures that, in the determination of the Secretary, could be impacted by a rupture or explosion of the applicable covered facility;(III) any tenants of those structures; and(IV) relevant first responders.(iii) Requirement
A notification under clause (i) shall include—(I) a description of the changes from the previous notification provided under that clause, if applicable;(II) a statement of the relevant—(aa) legal duties of the operator; and(bb) legal rights of, as applicable—(AA) the owners and residents of the occupied residences; or(BB) the owners, tenants, and manager of the operational commercial structure; and(III) a statement informing the recipient of the additional information that the recipient may request under subparagraph (D).(D) Additional information
On the request of any person, an operator of a pipeline facility shall provide to that person—(i) the information described in subparagraph (A) with respect to all pipeline facilities of the operator; and(ii) pipeline safety information, including—(I) information on the matters described in subparagraph (E) with respect to each pipeline facility operated by the operator;(II) educational material relating to the matters described in that subparagraph to better inform the public about the information disclosed under subclause (I), provided in a simple and consolidated form; and(III) a description of how the information described in subclause (I) was acquired or determined, including any formulas used and any tests carried out.(E) Matters described
The matters referred to in subparagraph (D)(ii)(I) and paragraph (1)(A)(iii) include—(i) high consequence areas;(ii) moderate consequence areas;(iii) potential impact radii and potential impact areas;(iv) class locations;(v) pipe size;(vi) the date of pipeline construction;(vii) the history of incidents, accidents, and repairs on the pipeline;(viii) geohazards that may impact pipeline safety;(ix) pressure information, including—(I) maximum operating pressure; and(II) maximum allowable operating pressure;(x) with respect to gathering lines, the types of gathering lines, including Type A, Type B, Type C, and Type R pipelines;(xi) the health, safety, and environment management programs of the operator; and(xii) any other matter that—(I) relates to the safety and reliability of a pipeline facility under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; and(II) in the determination of the Secretary, is in the public interest to be disclosed.(F) Deadline
Not later than 90 days after receiving a request under subparagraph (D), an operator of a pipeline facility shall provide the information required to be disclosed under that subparagraph to the person making the request.(3) Rulemaking
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection, including providing for standardized formats for operators to release information to the public.
(3) make the map available to the public on an internet website, in a machine-readable format, as part of the National Pipeline Mapping System Public Map Viewer or at an alternative location.
(1) shall—
(2) shall not release gas or hazardous liquid from a pipeline facility in a quantity that would require the reporting of an incident or accident under a regulation prescribed under this chapter.
(1) Civil action
A person may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States for all appropriate relief, including civil penalties and injunctive relief, against—(A) another person (including the United States Government and other governmental authorities to the extent permitted under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States) for a violation of this chapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this chapter; or(B) the Secretary where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty under this chapter that is nondiscretionary.(2) Requirements and limitations
With respect to a civil action described in paragraph (1), a person
(3) Notice
The Secretary shall
(4) Intervention
The Secretary, with
(5) Jurisdiction
The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties—(A) to enforce a pipeline safety standard or limitation established under this chapter;(B) to enforce a regulation prescribed or order issued under this chapter;(C) to order the Secretary to perform any act or duty under this chapter; and(D) to impose any appropriate civil penalties under section 60122.
(1) In general
The court
(2) Reasonable attorney’s fee
For purposes of paragraph (1)
(e) Venue; intervention by the Secretary
(1) Venue
Any action under this section may be brought in—(A) the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the violation occurred; or(B) the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.(2) Intervention by the Secretary
If the Secretary is not a party to an action described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may intervene in that action as a matter of right.(f) Nonrestriction of other rights
(1) In general
Except as otherwise limited by section 60104(c), nothing in this section restricts any right that any person (or class of persons) may have under any statute or the common law—(A) to seek enforcement of any standard or limitation; or(B) to seek any other relief (including relief against the Secretary or a State agency).(2) State, local, and interstate authority
Except as otherwise limited by section 60104(c), nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit, exclude, or restrict any State, local, or interstate authority from—(A) bringing any enforcement action or obtaining any judicial remedy or sanction in any State or local court; or(B) bringing any administrative enforcement action or obtaining any administrative remedy or sanction in any State or local administrative agency, department, or instrumentality under any State or local law relating to pipeline safety against—(i) the United States;(ii) any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States; or(iii) any officer, agent, or employee of the United States.