Protecting U.S. Pipelines from Targeted Attacks and Ensuring Safety

Pipeline Safety and Regulation

• 💡 Cost-effective regulation is crucial for operators to prioritize safety, ensuring that regulations are implementable and that technology is available to meet goals.
• 📌 The leak detection and repair rule finalized by the previous administration is not believed to be workable for operators, despite support for leak detection and repair technologies in accordance with congressional mandates.

Threats from Bad Actors

• ⚠️ There is an increasing threat to pipeline safety from individuals intending to cause harm, exemplified by a movie that glorified attacks on pipelines.
• 🎯 Operators have taken measures to prevent disruptions, and there's a call for federal actors to issue bulletins and be vigilant for copycat activities.
• 🔗 Congress can help by closing loopholes that downplay the severity of damaging pipeline components, which can lead to dangerous pressure buildups or ruptures.

Permitting and Future Fuels

• 🚀 Congress's attention is requested to ensure predictable pipeline permitting timelines that are not subject to unnecessary delays and litigation.
• ⚖️ A balanced permitting process is needed, reflecting the necessity of energy access alongside safety and environmental protections.
• 💨 Regarding hydrogen pipeline networks, the industry is studying how much blending can occur without challenging pipeline integrity, with early results from blending up to 5% showing positive outcomes.
• 🌍 The interstate pipeline infrastructure is a global envy, capable of delivering energy reliably, and further study is recommended for FIMSA's reauthorization.