Rep. Balderson Questions Experts on OSHA vs. PHMSA Pipeline Regulations

Regulatory Duplication and Inconsistencies

• 📌 Sarah Miller of GPA Midstream highlights that OSHA's process safety management standards for in-plant piping are duplicative of regulations by PHMSA.
• 💡 This duplication creates a cumbersome demand for resources and can lead to inconsistencies due to inspectors having different expertise (OSHA for refineries, PHMSA for interstate transmission lines).
• ⚠️ The overlap makes it more confusing and challenging for GPA Midstream members to ensure safe operations.

Need for Legislative Certainty

• 🎯 While PHMSA's proposed rulemaking to alleviate regulatory uncertainty is a welcome start, Congress should act with a statutory fix.
• 🚀 Legislative predictability and certainty are crucial for members to plan long-term operations.

Pipeline Vandalism and Safety Loopholes

• ⚡ Rep. Balderson raises concerns about worker safety due to increased attacks and vandalism on pipelines.
• 🛠️ Mr. Black explains that current laws have a loophole: tampering with a pipeline without immediate damage or destruction is not covered by federal pipeline safety laws.
• ✅ Closing this loophole by strengthening penalties on individuals who attack pipelines is important to protect the environment, workforce, and nearby communities.