Congress Passes New Bill Aimed At Pipeline Safety

After nearly a year of discussions in both chambers, the U.S. Congress passed the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (HR 2845) and presented it to the President on Dec. 23, 2011. The proposed changes would greatly increase the review and oversight of pipeline systems and pipeline safety requirements. Some of the major provisions include:

• Additional requirements imposed on pipeline owners and operators:
  • The Act requires pipeline owners/operators to verify records for accurate contents relating to physical and operational characteristics and to confirm the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) for pipes located in High Consequence Areas as well as Class 3 and Class 4 areas. In situations where the pipeline records are inadequate to confirm the MAOP, the owner or operator must "reconfirm a maximum allowable operating pressure as expeditiously as economically feasible; and . . . determine what actions are appropriate for the