PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

PROTECTING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE OF 

PIPELINES AND ENHANCING SAFETY 

ACT OF 2016 


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130 STAT. 514 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

Public Law 114–183 

114th Congress 

An Act 

To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in pipeline 

transportation, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protecting 

our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016’’ 

or the ‘‘PIPES Act of 2016’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of this Act 

is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations. 

Sec. 3. Regulatory updates. 

Sec. 4. Natural gas integrity management review. 

Sec. 5. Hazardous liquid integrity management review. 

Sec. 6. Technical safety standards committees. 

Sec. 7. Inspection report information. 

Sec. 8. Improving damage prevention technology. 

Sec. 9. Workforce management. 

Sec. 10. Information-sharing system. 

Sec. 11. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database. 

Sec. 12. Underground gas storage facilities. 

Sec. 13. Joint inspection and oversight. 

Sec. 14. Safety data sheets. 

Sec. 15. Hazardous materials identification numbers. 

Sec. 16. Emergency order authority. 

Sec. 17. State grant funds. 

Sec. 18. Response plans. 

Sec. 19. Unusually sensitive areas. 

Sec. 20. Pipeline safety technical assistance grants. 

Sec. 21. Study of materials and corrosion prevention in pipeline transportation. 

Sec. 22. Research and development. 

Sec. 23. Active and abandoned pipelines. 

Sec. 24. State pipeline safety agreements. 

Sec. 25. Requirements for certain hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. 

Sec. 26. Study on propane gas pipeline facilities. 

Sec. 27. Standards for certain liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities. 

Sec. 28. Pipeline odorization study. 

Sec. 29. Report on natural gas leak reporting. 

Sec. 30. Review of State policies relating to natural gas leaks. 

Sec. 31. Aliso Canyon natural gas leak task force. 

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) GAS AND HAZARDOUS LIQUID.—Section 60125(a) of title 49, 

United States Code is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘there is authorized to 

be appropriated to the Department of Transportation for each 

of fiscal years 2012 through 2015, from fees collected under 

section 60301, $90,679,000, of which $4,746,000 is for carrying 

Protecting our 

Infrastructure of 

Pipelines and 

Enhancing Safety 

Act of 2016. 

49 USC 60101 

note. 

June 22, 2016 

[S. 2276] 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 515 

out such section 12 and $36,194,000 is for making grants.’’ 

and inserting the following: ‘‘there is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation from fees collected 

under section 60301— 

‘‘(A) $124,500,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which 

$9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 

12 and $39,385,000 shall be expended for making grants; 

‘‘(B) $128,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 of which 

$9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 

12 and $41,885,000 shall be expended for making grants; 

‘‘(C) $131,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which 

$9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 

12 and $44,885,000 shall be expended for making grants; 

and 

‘‘(D) $134,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which 

$9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 

12 and $47,885,000 shall be expended for making grants.’’; 

(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘there is authorized to 

be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 

from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out the provisions of this chapter related to hazardous liquid and section 

12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 

60101 note; Public Law 107–355), $18,573,000, of which 

$2,174,000 is for carrying out such section 12 and $4,558,000 

is for making grants.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘there is 

authorized to be appropriated from the Oil Spill Liability Trust 

Fund to carry out the provisions of this chapter related to 

hazardous liquid and section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107– 

355)— 

‘‘(A) $22,123,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which 

$3,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 

12 and $8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants; 

‘‘(B) $22,123,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which 

$3,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 

12 and $8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants; 

‘‘(C) $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which 

$3,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 

12 and $8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants; 

and 

‘‘(D) $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which 

$3,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 

12 and $8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants.’’; 

and 

(3) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(3) UNDERGROUND NATURAL GAS STORAGE FACILITY SAFETY

ACCOUNT.—To carry out section 60141, there is authorized to 

be appropriated to the Department of Transportation from fees 

collected under section 60302 $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 

2017 through 2019.’’. 

(b) OPERATIONAL EXPENSES.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the necessary operational expenses of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 

Administration the following amounts: 

(1) $21,000,000 for fiscal year 2016. 

(2) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2017. 

(3) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2018. 


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130 STAT. 516 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

(4) $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2019. 

(c) ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6107 of title 49, United States 

Code, is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘§ 6107. Funding 

‘‘Of the amounts made available under section 60125(a)(1), 

the Secretary shall expend $1,058,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 

through 2019 to carry out section 6106.’’. 

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 61 

of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the 

item relating to section 6107 and inserting the following: 

‘‘6107. Funding.’’. 

(d) PIPELINE SAFETY INFORMATION GRANTS TO COMMUNITIES.— 

The first sentence of section 60130(c) of title 49, United States 

Code, is amended to read as follows: ‘‘Of the amounts made available 

under section 2(b) of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary shall 

expend $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019 to 

carry out this section.’’. 

(e) PIPELINE INTEGRITY PROGRAM.—Section 12(f) of the Pipeline 

Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note) is amended 

by striking ‘‘2012 through 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘2016 through 2019’’. 

SEC. 3. REGULATORY UPDATES. 

(a) PUBLICATION.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation shall 

publish an update on a publicly available Web site of the 

Department of Transportation regarding the status of a final 

rule for each outstanding regulation, and upon such publication 

notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 

and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives that such publication 

has been made. 

(2) DEADLINES.—The Secretary shall publish an update 

under this subsection not later than 120 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until 

a final rule has been published in the Federal Register for 

each outstanding regulation. 

(b) CONTENTS.—The Secretary shall include in each update 

published under subsection (a)— 

(1) a description of the work plan for each outstanding 

regulation; 

(2) an updated rulemaking timeline for each outstanding 

regulation; 

(3) current staff allocations with respect to each outstanding regulation; 

(4) any resource constraints affecting the rulemaking 

process for each outstanding regulation; 

(5) any other details associated with the development of 

each outstanding regulation that affect the progress of the 

rulemaking process; and 

(6) a description of all rulemakings regarding gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities published in the Federal Register that are not identified under subsection (c). 

Federal Register, 

publication. 

Web posting. 

Notification. 

49 USC 

prec. 6101. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 517 

(c) OUTSTANDING REGULATION DEFINED.—In this section, the 

term ‘‘outstanding regulation’’ means— 

(1) a final rule required under the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (Public Law 

112–90) that has not been published in the Federal Register; 

and 

(2) a final rule regarding gas or hazardous liquid pipeline 

facilities required under this Act or an Act enacted prior to 

the date of enactment of this Act (other than the Pipeline 

Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 

(Public Law 112–90)) that has not been published in the Federal 

Register. 

SEC. 4. NATURAL GAS INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT REVIEW. 

(a) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of publication in the Federal Register of a final rule regarding the safety 

of gas transmission pipelines related to the notice of proposed 

rulemaking issued on April 8, 2016, titled ‘‘Pipeline Safety: Safety 

of Gas Transmission and Gathering Pipelines’’ (81 Fed. Reg. 20721), 

the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives 

and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 

the Senate a report regarding the integrity management programs 

for gas pipeline facilities required under section 60109(c) of title 

49, United States Code. 

(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under subsection (a) shall 

include— 

(1) an analysis of stakeholder perspectives, taking into 

consideration technical, operational, and economic feasibility, 

regarding ways to enhance pipeline facility safety, prevent inadvertent releases from pipeline facilities, and mitigate any 

adverse consequences of such inadvertent releases, including 

changes to the definition of high consequence area, or expanding 

integrity management beyond high consequence areas; 

(2) a review of the types of benefits, including safety benefits, and estimated costs of the legacy class location regulations; 

(3) an analysis of the impact pipeline facility features, 

including the age, condition, materials, and construction of 

a pipeline facility, have on safety and risk analysis of a particular pipeline facility; 

(4) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or 

State regulators in the oversight of gas transmission pipeline 

facilities and how the challenges are being addressed; and 

(5) a description of any challenges affecting the natural 

gas industry in complying with the programs, and how the 

challenges are being addressed, including any challenges faced 

by publicly owned natural gas distribution systems. 

(c) DEFINITION OF HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREA.—In this section, 

the term ‘‘high consequence area’’ has the meaning given the term 

in section 192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 

SEC. 5. HAZARDOUS LIQUID INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT REVIEW. 

(a) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of publication in the Federal Register of a final rule regarding the safety 

of hazardous liquid pipeline facilities related to the notice of proposed rulemaking issued on October 13, 2015, titled ‘‘Pipeline 

Safety: Safety of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines’’ (80 Fed. Reg. 61610), 

Analysis. 

Review. 

Analysis. 


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130 STAT. 518 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives 

and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 

the Senate a report regarding the integrity management programs 

for hazardous liquid pipeline facilities, as regulated under sections 

195.450 and 195.452 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 

(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under subsection (a) shall 

include— 

(1) taking into consideration technical, operational, and 

economic feasibility, an analysis of stakeholder perspectives 

on— 

(A) ways to enhance hazardous liquid pipeline facility 

safety; 

(B) risk factors that may warrant more frequent inspections of hazardous liquid pipeline facilities; and 

(C) changes to the definition of high consequence area; 

(2) an analysis of how surveying, assessment, mitigation, 

and monitoring activities, including real-time hazardous liquid 

pipeline facility monitoring during significant flood events and 

information sharing with Federal agencies, are being used to 

address risks associated with rivers, flood plains, lakes, and 

coastal areas; 

(3) an analysis of the impact pipeline facility features, 

including the age, condition, materials, and construction of 

a pipeline facility, have on safety and risk analysis of a particular pipeline facility and what changes to the definition 

of high consequence area could be made to improve pipeline 

facility safety; and 

(4) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or 

State regulators in the oversight of hazardous liquid pipeline 

facilities and how those challenges are being addressed. 

(c) DEFINITION OF HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREA.—In this section, 

the term ‘‘high consequence area’’ has the meaning given the term 

in section 195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 

SEC. 6. TECHNICAL SAFETY STANDARDS COMMITTEES. 

(a) APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS.—Section 60115(b)(4)(A) of title 

49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘State commissioners. The Secretary shall consult with the national organization 

of State commissions before selecting those 2 individuals.’’ and 

inserting ‘‘State officials. The Secretary shall consult with national 

organizations representing State commissioners or utility regulators 

before making a selection under this subparagraph.’’. 

(b) VACANCIES.—Section 60115(b) of title 49, United States 

Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(5) Within 90 days of the date of enactment of the PIPES 

Act of 2016, the Secretary shall fill all vacancies on the Technical 

Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, the Technical Hazardous 

Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, and any other committee established pursuant to this section. After that period, the 

Secretary shall fill a vacancy on any such committee not later 

than 60 days after the vacancy occurs.’’. 

SEC. 7. INSPECTION REPORT INFORMATION. 

(a) INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE.—Section 60108 of title 49, 

United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 

Deadlines. 

Consultation. 

Analysis. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 519 

‘‘(e) IN GENERAL.—After the completion of a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration pipeline safety inspection, 

the Administrator of such Administration, or the State authority 

certified under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, to 

conduct such inspection, shall— 

‘‘(1) within 30 days, conduct a post-inspection briefing 

with the owner or operator of the gas or hazardous liquid 

pipeline facility inspected outlining any concerns; and 

‘‘(2) within 90 days, to the extent practicable, provide 

the owner or operator with written preliminary findings 

of the inspection.’’. 

(b) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than October 1, 2017, and each 

fiscal year thereafter for 2 years, the Administrator shall notify 

the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives 

and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 

the Senate of— 

(1) the number of times a deadline under section 60108(e) 

of title 49, United States Code, was exceeded in the prior 

fiscal year; and 

(2) in each instance, the length of time by which the deadline was exceeded. 

SEC. 8. IMPROVING DAMAGE PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY. 

(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation 

with stakeholders, shall conduct a study on improving existing 

damage prevention programs through technological improvements 

in location, mapping, excavation, and communications practices to 

prevent excavation damage to a pipe or its coating, including considerations of technical, operational, and economic feasibility and 

existing damage prevention programs. 

(b) CONTENTS.—The study under subsection (a) shall include— 

(1) an identification of any methods to improve existing 

damage prevention programs through location and mapping 

practices or technologies in an effort to reduce releases caused 

by excavation; 

(2) an analysis of how increased use of global positioning 

system digital mapping technologies, predictive analytic tools, 

public awareness initiatives including one-call initiatives, the 

use of mobile devices, and other advanced technologies could 

supplement existing one-call notification and damage prevention programs to reduce the frequency and severity of incidents 

caused by excavation damage; 

(3) an identification of any methods to improve excavation 

practices or technologies in an effort to reduce pipeline damage; 

(4) an analysis of the feasibility of a national data repository for pipeline excavation accident data that creates standardized data models for storing and sharing pipeline accident 

information; and 

(5) an identification of opportunities for stakeholder engagement in preventing excavation damage. 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 

on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives 

Analysis. 

Analysis. 

Consultation. 


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130 STAT. 520 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

a report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including recommendations, that include the consideration of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, on how 

to incorporate into existing damage prevention programs technological improvements and practices that help prevent excavation 

damage. 

SEC. 9. WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT. 

(a) REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of 

Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 

and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 

Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a review of Pipeline 

and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration staff resource 

management, including— 

(1) geographic allocation plans, hiring and time-to-hire 

challenges, and expected retirement rates and recruitment and 

retention strategies; 

(2) an identification and description of any previous periods 

of macroeconomic and pipeline industry conditions under which 

the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 

has encountered difficulty in filling vacancies, and the degree 

to which special hiring authorities, including direct hiring 

authority authorized by the Office of Personnel Management, 

could have ameliorated such difficulty; and 

(3) recommendations to address hiring challenges, training 

needs, and any other identified staff resource challenges. 

(b) DIRECT HIRING.—Upon identification of a period described 

in subsection (a)(2), the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration may apply to the Office 

of Personnel Management for the authority to appoint qualified 

candidates to any position relating to pipeline safety, as determined 

by the Administrator, without regard to sections 3309 through 

3319 of title 5, United States Code. 

(c) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall preclude 

the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 

Administration from applying to the Office of Personnel Management for the authority described in subsection (b) prior to the 

completion of the report required under subsection (a). 

SEC. 10. INFORMATION-SHARING SYSTEM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 

the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 

convene a working group to consider the development of a voluntary 

information-sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to 

improve inspection information feedback and information sharing 

with the purpose of improving gas transmission and hazardous 

liquid pipeline facility integrity risk analysis. 

(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The working group convened pursuant to 

subsection (a) shall include representatives from— 

(1) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; 

(2) industry stakeholders, including operators of pipeline 

facilities, inspection technology, coating, and cathodic protection 

vendors, and pipeline inspection organizations; 

(3) safety advocacy groups; 

(4) research institutions; 

49 USC 60108 

note. 

Deadline. 

Establishment. 

Recommendations. 

Plans. 

Deadline. 

49 USC 108 note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 521 

(5) State public utility commissions or State officials 

responsible for pipeline safety oversight; 

(6) State pipeline safety inspectors; 

(7) labor representatives; and 

(8) other entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. 

(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—The working group convened pursuant 

to subsection (a) shall consider and provide recommendations to 

the Secretary on— 

(1) the need for, and the identification of, a system to 

ensure that dig verification data are shared with in-line inspection operators to the extent consistent with the need to maintain proprietary and security-sensitive data in a confidential 

manner to improve pipeline safety and inspection technology; 

(2) ways to encourage the exchange of pipeline inspection 

information and the development of advanced pipeline inspection technologies and enhanced risk analysis; 

(3) opportunities to share data, including dig verification 

data between operators of pipeline facilities and in-line 

inspector vendors to expand knowledge of the advantages and 

disadvantages of the different types of in-line inspection technology and methodologies; 

(4) options to create a secure system that protects proprietary data while encouraging the exchange of pipeline inspection information and the development of advanced pipeline 

inspection technologies and enhanced risk analysis; 

(5) means and best practices for the protection of safetyand security-sensitive information and proprietary information; 

and 

(6) regulatory, funding, and legal barriers to sharing the 

information described in paragraphs (1) through (4). 

(d) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish the recommendations provided under subsection (c) on a publicly available 

Web site of the Department of Transportation. 

SEC. 11. NATIONWIDE INTEGRATED PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATORY 

DATABASE. 

(a) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the 

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives 

and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 

the Senate a report on the feasibility of establishing a national 

integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database to improve 

communication and collaboration between the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and State pipeline regulators. 

(b) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under subsection (a) shall 

include— 

(1) a description of any efforts underway to test a secure 

information-sharing system for the purpose described in subsection (a); 

(2) a description of any progress in establishing common 

standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting pipeline 

safety regulatory inspection data, and a methodology for 

sharing the data; 

49 USC 60108 

note. 

Web posting. 

Recommendations. 


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130 STAT. 522 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

(3) a description of any inadequacies or gaps in State 

and Federal inspection, enforcement, geospatial, or other pipeline safety regulatory inspection data; 

(4) a description of the potential safety benefits of a 

national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database; and 

(5) recommendations, including those of stakeholders for 

how to implement a secure information-sharing system that 

protects proprietary and security sensitive information and data 

for the purpose described in subsection (a). 

(c) CONSULTATION.—In implementing this section, the Secretary 

shall consult with stakeholders, including each State authority operating under a certification to regulate intrastate pipelines under 

section 60105 of title 49, United States Code. 

(d) ESTABLISHMENT OF DATABASE.—The Secretary may establish, if appropriate, a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory 

database— 

(1) after submission of the report required under subsection 

(a); or 

(2) upon notification to the Committee on Transportation 

and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee 

on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of 

the need to establish such database prior to the submission 

of the report under subsection (a). 

SEC. 12. UNDERGROUND GAS STORAGE FACILITIES. 

(a) DEFINED TERM.—Section 60101(a) of title 49, United States 

Code, is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (21)(B) by striking the period at the end 

and inserting a semicolon; 

(2) in paragraph (22)(B)(iii) by striking the period at the 

end and inserting a semicolon; 

(3) in paragraph (24) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 

(4) in paragraph (25) by striking the period at the end 

and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

(5) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(26) ‘underground natural gas storage facility’ means a 

gas pipeline facility that stores natural gas in an underground 

facility, including— 

‘‘(A) a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir; 

‘‘(B) an aquifer reservoir; or 

‘‘(C) a solution-mined salt cavern reservoir.’’. 

(b) STANDARDS FOR UNDERGROUND GAS STORAGE FACILITIES.— 

Chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 

at the end the following: 

‘‘§ 60141. Standards for underground natural gas storage 

facilities 

‘‘(a) MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS.—Not later than 2 years after 

the date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary, 

in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, 

shall issue minimum safety standards for underground natural 

gas storage facilities. 

‘‘(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the safety standards 

required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, to the extent 

practicable— 

Deadline. 

Consultation. 

49 USC 60141. 

Notification. 

Recommendations. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 523 

‘‘(1) consider consensus standards for the operation, 

environmental protection, and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities; 

‘‘(2) consider the economic impacts of the regulations on 

individual gas customers; 

‘‘(3) ensure that the regulations do not have a significant 

economic impact on end users; and 

‘‘(4) consider the recommendations of the Aliso Canyon 

natural gas leak task force established under section 31 of 

the PIPES Act of 2016. 

‘‘(c) FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATION.—The Secretary may 

authorize a State authority (including a municipality) to participate 

in the oversight of underground natural gas storage facilities in 

the same manner as provided in sections 60105 and 60106. 

‘‘(d) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this section may be construed 

to affect any Federal regulation relating to gas pipeline facilities 

that is in effect on the day before the date of enactment of 

the PIPES Act of 2016. 

‘‘(2) LIMITATIONS.—Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the Secretary— 

‘‘(A) to prescribe the location of an underground natural 

gas storage facility; or 

‘‘(B) to require the Secretary’s permission to construct 

a facility referred to in subparagraph (A). 

‘‘(e) PREEMPTION.—A State authority may adopt additional or 

more stringent safety standards for intrastate underground natural 

gas storage facilities if such standards are compatible with the 

minimum standards prescribed under this section. 

‘‘(f) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall 

be construed to affect the Secretary’s authority under this title 

to regulate the underground storage of gas that is not natural 

gas.’’. 

(c) USER FEES.—Chapter 603 of title 49, United States Code, 

is amended by inserting after section 60301 the following: 

‘‘§ 60302. User fees for underground natural gas storage 

facilities 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A fee shall be imposed on an entity operating 

an underground natural gas storage facility subject to section 60141. 

Any such fee imposed shall be collected before the end of the 

fiscal year to which it applies. 

‘‘(b) MEANS OF COLLECTION.—The Secretary of Transportation 

shall prescribe procedures to collect fees under this section. The 

Secretary may use a department, agency, or instrumentality of 

the United States Government or of a State or local government 

to collect the fee and may reimburse the department, agency, or 

instrumentality a reasonable amount for its services. 

‘‘(c) USE OF FEES.— 

‘‘(1) ACCOUNT.—There is established an Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility Safety Account in the Pipeline Safety 

Fund established in the Treasury of the United States under 

section 60301. 

‘‘(2) USE OF FEES.—A fee collected under this section— 

‘‘(A) shall be deposited in the Underground Natural 

Gas Storage Facility Safety Account; and 

Procedures. 

49 USC 60302. 


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130 STAT. 524 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

‘‘(B) if the fee is related to an underground natural 

gas storage facility subject to section 60141, the amount 

of the fee may be used only for an activity related to 

underground natural gas storage facility safety. 

‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—No fee may be collected under this section, except to the extent that the expenditure of such fee 

to pay the costs of an activity related to underground natural 

gas storage facility safety for which such fee is imposed is 

provided in advance in an appropriations Act.’’. 

(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 

(1) CHAPTER 601.—The table of sections for chapter 601 

of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 

end the following: 

‘‘60141. Standards for underground natural gas storage facilities.’’. 

(2) CHAPTER 603.—The table of sections for chapter 603 

of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 

the item relating to section 60301 the following: 

‘‘60302. User fees for underground natural gas storage facilities.’’. 

SEC. 13. JOINT INSPECTION AND OVERSIGHT. 

Section 60106 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 

by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(f) JOINT INSPECTORS.—At the request of a State authority, 

the Secretary shall allow for a certified State authority under 

section 60105 to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipeline facility.’’. 

SEC. 14. SAFETY DATA SHEETS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Each owner or operator of a hazardous liquid 

pipeline facility, following an accident involving such pipeline 

facility that results in a hazardous liquid spill, shall provide safety 

data sheets on any spilled hazardous liquid to the designated Federal On-Scene Coordinator and appropriate State and local emergency responders within 6 hours of a telephonic or electronic notice 

of the accident to the National Response Center. 

(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

(1) FEDERAL ON-SCENE COORDINATOR.—The term ‘‘Federal 

On-Scene Coordinator’’ has the meaning given such term in 

section 311(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 

U.S.C. 1321(a)). 

(2) NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER.—The term ‘‘National 

Response Center’’ means the center described under section 

300.125(a) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations. 

(3) SAFETY DATA SHEET.—The term ‘‘safety data sheet’’ 

means a safety data sheet required under section 1910.1200 

of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations. 

SEC. 15. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS. 

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue an advanced notice 

of proposed rulemaking to take public comment on the petition 

for rulemaking dated October 28, 2015, titled ‘‘Corrections to Title 

49 CFR 172.336 Identification numbers; special provisions’’ (P– 

1667). 

Deadline. 

Regulations. 

Public 

information. 

49 USC 60117 

note. 

Deadline. 

49 USC 

prec. 60103. 

49 USC 

prec. 60101. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 525 

SEC. 16. EMERGENCY ORDER AUTHORITY. 

Section 60117 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 

by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(o) EMERGENCY ORDER AUTHORITY.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary determines that an 

unsafe condition or practice, or a combination of unsafe conditions and practices, constitutes or is causing an imminent 

hazard, the Secretary may issue an emergency order described 

in paragraph (3) imposing emergency restrictions, prohibitions, 

and safety measures on owners and operators of gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities without prior notice or an opportunity for a hearing, but only to the extent necessary to abate 

the imminent hazard. 

‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Before issuing an emergency order 

under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider, as appropriate, the following factors: 

‘‘(i) The impact of the emergency order on public 

health and safety. 

‘‘(ii) The impact, if any, of the emergency order 

on the national or regional economy or national security. 

‘‘(iii) The impact of the emergency order on the 

ability of owners and operators of pipeline facilities 

to maintain reliability and continuity of service to customers. 

‘‘(B) CONSULTATION.—In considering the factors under 

subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult, as the Secretary determines appropriate, with appropriate Federal 

agencies, State agencies, and other entities knowledgeable 

in pipeline safety or operations. 

‘‘(3) WRITTEN ORDER.—An emergency order issued by the 

Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) with respect to an 

imminent hazard shall contain a written description of— 

‘‘(A) the violation, condition, or practice that constitutes 

or is causing the imminent hazard; 

‘‘(B) the entities subject to the order; 

‘‘(C) the restrictions, prohibitions, or safety measures 

imposed; 

‘‘(D) the standards and procedures for obtaining relief 

from the order; 

‘‘(E) how the order is tailored to abate the imminent 

hazard and the reasons the authorities under section 60112 

and 60117(l) are insufficient to do so; and 

‘‘(F) how the considerations were taken into account 

pursuant to paragraph (2). 

‘‘(4) OPPORTUNITY FOR REVIEW.—Upon receipt of a petition 

for review from an entity subject to, and aggrieved by, an 

emergency order issued under this subsection, the Secretary 

shall provide an opportunity for a review of the order under 

section 554 of title 5 to determine whether the order should 

remain in effect, be modified, or be terminated. 

‘‘(5) EXPIRATION OF EFFECTIVENESS ORDER.—If a petition 

for review of an emergency order is filed under paragraph 

(4) and an agency decision with respect to the petition is not 

issued on or before the last day of the 30-day period beginning 

on the date on which the petition is filed, the order shall 

Time period. 

Determination. 

Determination. 

Determination. 


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130 STAT. 526 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

cease to be effective on such day, unless the Secretary determines in writing on or before the last day of such period 

that the imminent hazard still exists. 

‘‘(6) JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ORDERS.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—After completion of the review 

process described in paragraph (4), or the issuance of a 

written determination by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (5), an entity subject to, and aggrieved by, an emergency order issued under this subsection may seek judicial 

review of the order in a district court of the United States 

and shall be given expedited consideration. 

‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—The filing of a petition for review 

under subparagraph (A) shall not stay or modify the force 

and effect of the agency’s final decision under paragraph 

(4), or the written determination under paragraph (5), 

unless stayed or modified by the Secretary. 

‘‘(7) REGULATIONS.— 

‘‘(A) TEMPORARY REGULATIONS.—Not later than 60 days 

after the date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2016, 

the Secretary shall issue such temporary regulations as 

are necessary to carry out this subsection. The temporary 

regulations shall expire on the date of issuance of the 

final regulations required under subparagraph (B). 

‘‘(B) FINAL REGULATIONS.—Not later than 270 days 

after such date of enactment, the Secretary shall issue 

such regulations as are necessary to carry out this subsection. Such regulations shall ensure that the review 

process described in paragraph (4) contains the same procedures as subsections (d) and (g) of section 109.19 of title 

49, Code of Federal Regulations, and is otherwise consistent 

with the review process developed under such section, to 

the greatest extent practicable and not inconsistent with 

this section. 

‘‘(8) IMMINENT HAZARD DEFINED.—In this subsection, the 

term ‘imminent hazard’ means the existence of a condition 

relating to a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility that 

presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, 

severe personal injury, or a substantial endangerment to health, 

property, or the environment may occur before the reasonably 

foreseeable completion date of a formal proceeding begun to 

lessen the risk of such death, illness, injury, or endangerment. 

‘‘(9) LIMITATION AND SAVINGS CLAUSE.—An emergency order 

issued under this subsection may not be construed to— 

‘‘(A) alter, amend, or limit the Secretary’s obligations 

under, or the applicability of, section 553 of title 5; or 

‘‘(B) provide the authority to amend the Code of Federal 

Regulations.’’. 

SEC. 17. STATE GRANT FUNDS. 

Section 60107 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: 

‘‘(b) PAYMENTS.—After notifying and consulting with a State 

authority, the Secretary may withhold any part of a payment when 

the Secretary decides that the authority is not carrying out satisfactorily a safety program or not acting satisfactorily as an agent. 

The Secretary may pay an authority under this section only when 

the authority ensures the Secretary that it will provide the 

Expiration date. 

Deadlines. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 527 

remaining costs of a safety program, except when the Secretary 

waives this requirement.’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(e) REPURPOSING OF FUNDS.—If a State program’s certification 

is rejected under section 60105(f) or such program is otherwise 

suspended or interrupted, the Secretary may use any undistributed, 

deobligated, or recovered funds authorized under this section to 

carry out pipeline safety activities for that State within the period 

of availability for such funds.’’. 

SEC. 18. RESPONSE PLANS. 

Each owner or operator of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility 

required to prepare a response plan pursuant to part 194 of title 

49, Code of Federal Regulations, shall— 

(1) consider the impact of a discharge into or on navigable 

waters or adjoining shorelines, including those that may be 

covered in whole or in part by ice; and 

(2) include procedures and resources for responding to such 

discharge in the plan. 

SEC. 19. UNUSUALLY SENSITIVE AREAS. 

(a) AREAS TO BE INCLUDED AS UNUSUALLY SENSITIVE.—Section 

60109(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 

‘‘have been identified as’’ and inserting ‘‘are part of the Great 

Lakes or have been identified as coastal beaches, marine coastal 

waters,’’. 

(b) UNUSUALLY SENSITIVE AREAS (USA) ECOLOGICAL

RESOURCES.—The Secretary of Transportation shall revise section 

195.6(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to explicitly state 

that the Great Lakes, coastal beaches, and marine coastal waters 

are USA ecological resources for purposes of determining whether 

a pipeline is in a high consequence area (as defined in section 

195.450 of such title). 

SEC. 20. PIPELINE SAFETY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS. 

(a) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION LIMITATION.—Section 60130(a)(4) of 

title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘on technical 

pipeline safety issues’’ after ‘‘public participation’’. 

(b) AUDIT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee 

on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and 

the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 

Senate a report evaluating the grant program under section 60130 

of title 49, United States Code. The report shall include— 

(1) a list of the recipients of all grant funds during fiscal 

years 2010 through 2015; 

(2) a description of how each grant was used; 

(3) an analysis of the compliance with the terms of grant 

agreements, including subsections (a) and (b) of such section; 

(4) an evaluation of the competitive process used to award 

the grant funds; and 

(5) an evaluation of— 

(A) the ability of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 

Safety Administration to oversee grant funds and usage; 

and 

(B) the procedures used for such oversight. 

Evaluation. 

Evaluation. 

Analysis. 

List. 

Deadline. 

Reports. 

49 USC 60109 

note. 

Procedures. 

49 USC 60102 

note. 


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130 STAT. 528 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

SEC. 21. STUDY OF MATERIALS AND CORROSION PREVENTION IN PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 

enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 

shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 

and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 

Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 

Transportation of the Senate a study on materials, training, and 

corrosion prevention technologies for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. 

(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The study required under subsection (a) 

shall include— 

(1) an analysis of— 

(A) the range of piping materials, including plastic 

materials, used to transport hazardous liquids and natural 

gas in the United States and in other developed countries 

around the world; 

(B) the types of technologies used for corrosion prevention, including coatings and cathodic protection; 

(C) common causes of corrosion, including interior and 

exterior moisture buildup and impacts of moisture buildup 

under insulation; and 

(D) the training provided to personnel responsible for 

identifying and preventing corrosion in pipelines, and for 

repairing such pipelines; 

(2) the extent to which best practices or guidance relating 

to pipeline facility design, installation, operation, and maintenance, including training, are available to recognize or prevent 

corrosion; 

(3) an analysis of the estimated costs and anticipated benefits, including safety benefits, associated with the use of such 

materials and technologies; and 

(4) stakeholder and expert perspectives on the effectiveness 

of corrosion control techniques to reduce the incidence of corrosion-related pipeline failures. 

SEC. 22. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department 

of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 

and Infrastructure, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 

the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 

of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 

Transportation of the Senate a report regarding the Pipeline and 

Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s research and development program carried out under section 12 of the Pipeline Safety 

Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note). The report shall 

include an evaluation of— 

(1) compliance with the consultation requirement under 

subsection (d)(2) of such section; 

(2) the extent to which the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration enters into joint research ventures 

with Federal and non-Federal entities, and benefits thereof; 

(3) the policies and procedures the Pipeline and Hazardous 

Materials Safety Administration has put in place to ensure 

there are no conflicts of interest with administering grants 

Evaluation. 

Deadline. 

Reports. 

Analysis. 

Analysis. 

Deadline. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 529 

pursuant to the program, and whether those policies and procedures are being followed; and 

(4) an evaluation of the outcomes of research conducted 

with Federal and non-Federal entities and the degree to which 

such outcomes have been adopted or utilized. 

(b) COLLABORATIVE SAFETY RESEARCH REPORT.— 

(1) BIENNIAL REPORTS.—Section 60124(a)(6) of title 49, 

United States Code, is amended— 

(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 

(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at 

the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

(C) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(C) a summary of each research and development 

project carried out with Federal and non-Federal entities 

pursuant to section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement 

Act of 2002 and a review of how the project affects safety.’’. 

(2) PIPELINE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT.—Section 12 of the 

Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 

note) is amended— 

(A) by striking subsection (d)(3)(C) and inserting the 

following: 

‘‘(C) FUNDING FROM NON-FEDERAL SOURCES.—The Secretary shall ensure that— 

‘‘(i) at least 30 percent of the costs of technology 

research and development activities may be carried 

out using non-Federal sources; 

‘‘(ii) at least 20 percent of the costs of basic 

research and development with universities may be 

carried out using non-Federal sources; and 

‘‘(iii) up to 100 percent of the costs of research 

and development for purely governmental purposes 

may be carried out using Federal funds.’’; and 

(B) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(h) INDEPENDENT EXPERTS.—Not later than 180 days after 

the date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary 

shall— 

‘‘(1) implement processes and procedures to ensure that 

activities listed under subsection (c), to the greatest extent 

practicable, produce results that are peer-reviewed by independent experts and not by persons or entities that have a 

financial interest in the pipeline, petroleum, or natural gas 

industries, or that would be directly impacted by the results 

of the projects; and 

‘‘(2) submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the 

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 

of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 

and Transportation of the Senate a report describing the processes and procedures implemented under paragraph (1). 

‘‘(i) CONFLICT OF INTEREST.—The Secretary shall take all practical steps to ensure that each recipient of an agreement under 

this section discloses in writing to the Secretary any conflict of 

interest on a research and development project carried out under 

this section, and includes any such disclosure as part of the final 

deliverable pursuant to such agreement. The Secretary may not 

make an award under this section directly to a pipeline owner 

Notification. 

Reports. 

Procedures. 

Deadline. 


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130 STAT. 530 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

or operator that is regulated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration or a State-certified regulatory authority 

if there is a conflict of interest relating to such owner or operator.’’. 

SEC. 23. ACTIVE AND ABANDONED PIPELINES. 

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue an advisory bulletin 

to owners and operators of gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities 

and Federal and State pipeline safety personnel regarding procedures of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration required to change the status of a pipeline facility from active 

to abandoned, including specific guidance on the terms recognized 

by the Secretary for each pipeline status referred to in such advisory 

bulletin. 

SEC. 24. STATE PIPELINE SAFETY AGREEMENTS. 

(a) STUDY.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 

complete a study on State pipeline safety agreements made pursuant to section 60106 of title 49, United States Code. Such study 

shall consider the following: 

(1) The integration of Federal and State or local authorities 

in carrying out activities pursuant to an agreement under such 

section. 

(2) The estimated staff and other resources used by Federal 

and State authorities in carrying out inspection activities pursuant to agreements under such section. 

(3) The estimated staff and other resources used by the 

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in 

carrying out interstate inspections in areas where there is 

no interstate agreement with a State pursuant to such section. 

(b) NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR DENIAL.—Section 60106(b) of 

title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 

the following: 

‘‘(4) NOTICE UPON DENIAL.—If a State authority requests 

an interstate agreement under this section and the Secretary 

denies such request, the Secretary shall provide written 

notification to the State authority of the denial that includes 

an explanation of the reasons for such denial.’’. 

SEC. 25. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE 

FACILITIES. 

Section 60109 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 

by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(g) HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE FACILITIES.— 

‘‘(1) INTEGRITY ASSESSMENTS.—Notwithstanding any pipeline integrity management program or integrity assessment 

schedule otherwise required by the Secretary, each operator 

of a pipeline facility to which this subsection applies shall 

ensure that pipeline integrity assessments— 

‘‘(A) using internal inspection technology appropriate 

for the integrity threat are completed not less often than 

once every 12 months; and 

‘‘(B) using pipeline route surveys, depth of cover surveys, pressure tests, external corrosion direct assessment, 

or other technology that the operator demonstrates can 

further the understanding of the condition of the pipeline 

facility are completed on a schedule based on the risk 

Deadline. 

Applicability. 

Deadline. 

Deadline. 

Advisory 

bulletin. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 531 

that the pipeline facility poses to the high consequence 

area in which the pipeline facility is located. 

‘‘(2) APPLICATION.—This subsection shall apply to any 

underwater hazardous liquid pipeline facility located in a high 

consequence area— 

‘‘(A) that is not an offshore pipeline facility; and 

‘‘(B) any portion of which is located at depths greater 

than 150 feet under the surface of the water. 

‘‘(3) HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREA DEFINED.—For purposes of 

this subsection, the term ‘high consequence area’ has the 

meaning given that term in section 195.450 of title 49, Code 

of Federal Regulations. 

‘‘(4) INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT.—The Secretary shall 

conduct inspections under section 60117(c) to determine 

whether each operator of a pipeline facility to which this subsection applies is complying with this section.’’. 

SEC. 26. STUDY ON PROPANE GAS PIPELINE FACILITIES. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation shall enter 

into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the 

National Academies to conduct a study examining the safety, regulatory requirements, techniques, and best practices applicable to 

pipeline facilities that transport or store only petroleum gas or 

mixtures of petroleum gas and air to 100 or fewer customers, 

in accordance with the requirements of this section. 

(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In conducting the study pursuant to subsection (a), the Transportation Research Board shall analyze— 

(1) Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements 

applicable to pipeline facilities described in subsection (a); 

(2) techniques and best practices relating to the design, 

installation, operation, and maintenance of such pipeline facilities; and 

(3) the costs and benefits, including safety benefits, associated with such applicable regulatory requirements and the 

use of such techniques and best practices. 

(c) PARTICIPATION.—In conducting the study pursuant to subsection (a), the Transportation Research Board shall consult with 

Federal, State, and local governments, private sector entities, and 

consumer and pipeline safety advocates, as appropriate. 

(d) DEADLINE.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 

on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy 

and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee 

on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the results 

of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a) and any recommendations for improving the safety of such pipeline facilities. 

(e) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘petroleum gas’’ has 

the meaning given that term in section 192.3 of title 49, Code 

of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of 

this Act. 

SEC. 27. STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS PIPELINE FACILITIES. 

(a) NATIONAL SECURITY.—Section 60103(a) of title 49, United 

States Code, is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 

a semicolon; 

Recommendations. 

Consultation. 

Contracts. 

Determination. 

Applicability. 


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130 STAT. 532 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting 

‘‘; and’’; and 

(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: 

‘‘(7) national security.’’. 

(b) UPDATE TO MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS.—The Secretary 

of Transportation shall review and update the minimum safety 

standards prescribed pursuant to section 60103 of title 49, United 

States Code, for permanent, small scale liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities. 

(c) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall be construed 

to limit the Secretary’s authority under chapter 601 of title 49, 

United States Code, to regulate liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities. 

SEC. 28. PIPELINE ODORIZATION STUDY. 

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of 

this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 

a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 

the House of Representatives that assesses— 

(1) the feasibility, costs, and benefits of odorizing all 

combustible gas in pipeline transportation; and 

(2) the affects of the odorization of all combustible gas 

in pipeline transportation on— 

(A) manufacturers, agriculture, and other end users; 

and 

(B) public health and safety. 

SEC. 29. REPORT ON NATURAL GAS LEAK REPORTING. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall submit to Congress 

a report on the metrics provided to the Pipeline and Hazardous 

Materials Safety Administration and other Federal and State agencies related to lost and unaccounted for natural gas from distribution pipelines and systems. 

(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under subsection (a) shall 

include the following elements: 

(1) An examination of different reporting requirements or 

standards for lost and unaccounted for natural gas to different 

agencies, the reasons for any such discrepancies, and recommendations for harmonizing and improving the accuracy 

of reporting. 

(2) An analysis of whether separate or alternative reporting 

could better measure the amounts and identify the location 

of lost and unaccounted for natural gas from natural gas distribution systems. 

(3) A description of potential safety issues associated with 

natural gas that is lost and unaccounted for from natural 

gas distribution systems. 

(4) An assessment of whether alternate reporting and measures will resolve any safety issues identified under paragraph 

(3), including an analysis of the potential impact, including 

potential savings, on rate payers and end users of natural 

gas products of such reporting and measures. 

Assessment. 

Analysis. 

49 USC 60108 

note. 

Deadline. 

Reports. 

Assessment. 

Review. 

49 USC 60103 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 533 

(c) CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—If the Administrator determines that alternate reporting structures or recommendations included in the report required under subsection 

(a) would significantly improve the reporting and measurement 

of lost and unaccounted for gas and safety of natural gas distribution systems, the Administrator shall, not later than 1 year after 

making such determination, issue regulations, as the Administrator 

determines appropriate, to implement the recommendations. 

SEC. 30. REVIEW OF STATE POLICIES RELATING TO NATURAL GAS 

LEAKS. 

(a) REVIEW.—The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous 

Materials Safety Administration shall conduct a State-by-State 

review of State-level policies that— 

(1) encourage the repair and replacement of leaking natural 

gas distribution pipelines or systems that pose a safety threat, 

such as timelines to repair leaks and limits on cost recovery 

from ratepayers; and 

(2) may create barriers for entities to conduct work to 

repair and replace leaking natural gas pipelines or distribution 

systems. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee 

on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy 

and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee 

on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 

containing the findings of the review conducted under subsection 

(a) and recommendations on Federal or State policies or best practices to improve safety by accelerating the repair and replacement 

of natural gas pipelines or systems that are leaking or releasing 

natural gas. The report shall consider the potential impact, 

including potential savings, of the implementation of such recommendations on ratepayers or end users of the natural gas pipeline 

system. 

(c) IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—If the Administrator determines that the recommendations made under subsection 

(b) would significantly improve pipeline safety, the Administrator 

shall, not later than 1 year after making such determination, and 

in coordination with the heads of other relevant agencies as appropriate, issue regulations, as the Administrator determines appropriate, to implement the recommendations. 

SEC. 31. ALISO CANYON NATURAL GAS LEAK TASK FORCE. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE.—Not later than 15 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy 

shall lead and establish an Aliso Canyon natural gas leak task 

force. 

(b) MEMBERSHIP OF TASK FORCE.—In addition to the Secretary, 

the task force established under subsection (a) shall be composed 

of— 

(1) 1 representative from the Department of Transportation; 

(2) 1 representative from the Department of Health and 

Human Services; 

(3) 1 representative from the Environmental Protection 

Agency; 

(4) 1 representative from the Department of the Interior; 

(5) 1 representative from the Department of Commerce; 

Deadline. 

Determination. 

Coordination. 

Regulations. 

Recommendations. 

49 USC 60108 

note. 

Determination. 

Regulations. 


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130 STAT. 534 PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 

(6) 1 representative from the Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission; and 

(7) representatives of State and local governments, as determined appropriate by the Secretary and the Administrator. 

(c) REPORT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the task force established under 

subsection (a) shall submit a final report that contains the 

information described in paragraph (2) to— 

(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 

of the Senate; 

(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 

of Representatives; 

(C) the Committee on Environment and Public Works 

of the Senate; 

(D) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; 

(E) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 

Transportation of the Senate; 

(F) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 

House of Representatives; 

(G) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 

Pensions of the Senate; 

(H) the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

of the House of Representatives; 

(I) the President; and 

(J) relevant Federal and State agencies. 

(2) INFORMATION INCLUDED.—The report submitted under 

paragraph (1) shall include— 

(A) an analysis and conclusion of the cause and contributing factors of the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak; 

(B) an analysis of measures taken to stop the natural 

gas leak, with an immediate focus on other, more effective 

measures that could be taken; 

(C) an assessment of the impact of the natural gas 

leak on— 

(i) health, safety, and the environment; 

(ii) wholesale and retail electricity prices; and 

(iii) the reliability of the bulk-power system; 

(D) an analysis of how Federal, State, and local agencies responded to the natural gas leak; 

(E) in order to lessen the negative impacts of leaks 

from underground natural gas storage facilities, recommendations on how to improve— 

(i) the response to a future leak; and 

(ii) coordination between all appropriate Federal, 

State, and local agencies in the response to the Aliso 

Canyon natural gas leak and future natural gas leaks; 

(F) an analysis of the potential for a similar natural 

gas leak to occur at other underground natural gas storage 

facilities in the United States; 

(G) recommendations on how to prevent any future 

natural gas leaks; 

(H) recommendations regarding Aliso Canyon and 

other underground natural gas storage facilities located 

in close proximity to residential populations; 

Assessment. 

Analysis. 

Recommendations. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 130 STAT. 535 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2276: 

SENATE REPORTS: No. 114–209 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transportation). 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016): 

Mar. 3, considered and passed Senate. 

June 8, considered and passed House, amended. 

June 13, Senate concurred in House amendment. 

Æ 

(I) any recommendations on information that is not 

currently collected but that would be in the public interest 

to collect and distribute to agencies and institutions for 

the continued study and monitoring of natural gas storage 

infrastructure in the United States; and 

(J) any other recommendations, as appropriate. 

(3) PUBLICATION.—The final report under paragraph (1) 

shall be made available to the public in an electronically accessible format. 

(4) FINDINGS.—If, before the final report is submitted under 

paragraph (1), the task force established under subsection (a) 

finds methods to solve the natural gas leak at Aliso Canyon, 

finds methods to better protect the affected communities, or 

finds methods to help prevent other leaks, the task force shall 

immediately submit such findings to the entities described in 

subparagraphs (A) through (J) of paragraph (1). 

Approved June 22, 2016. 

Public 

information. 

Electronic 

format. 

Submission. 


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