UAVs for Energy Infrastructure Act

To provide for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems by owners and operators of critical infrastructure. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the UAVs for Energy Infrastructure Act 2. Operation of unmanned aircraft systems by owners and operators of critical infrastructure (a) In general Subtitle B of title III of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–95 49 U.S.C. 40101 337. Operation of unmanned aircraft systems by owners and operators of critical infrastructure (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a process pursuant to which a covered person may operate an unmanned aircraft system to conduct activities described in subsection (b)— (1) beyond the visual line of sight of the individual operating the unmanned aircraft system; and (2) without any restriction on the time of the operation. (b) Activities described The activities described in this subsection that a covered person may use an unmanned aircraft system to conduct are the following: (1) Activities for which compliance with current law can be accomplished by the use of manned aircraft, including— (A) conducting activities to ensure compliance with Federal or State regulatory, permit, or other requirements, including to conduct surveys associated with applications for permits for new pipeline construction or maintenance or rehabilitation of existing pipelines; and (B) conducting activities relating to ensuring compliance with the requirements of part 192 or 195 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. (2) Activities to inspect, repair, or respond to critical infrastructure, including to respond to a pipeline incident, or in response to or preparation for a natural disaster, man-made disaster, severe weather event, or other incident beyond the control of the covered person that may cause material damage to such infrastructure. (3) Activities not described in paragraph (1) or (2) if the covered person notifies the local Flight Standards District Office before the operation of the unmanned aircraft system. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered person The term covered person (A) owns or operates a pipeline or other critical infrastructure; (B) is an agent of a person described in subparagraph (A); or (C) is the sponsor of a pipeline project. (2) Critical infrastructure The term critical infrastructure . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 336 the following: Sec. 337. Operation of unmanned aircraft systems by owners and operators of critical infrastructure. .

Summary: UAVs for Energy Infrastructure Act This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to direct the Department of Transportation to establish a process by which a covered person may operate an unmanned aircraft system to conduct the following activities beyond the visual line of sight of the individual operating the system without any restriction on the time of the operation: activities for which compliance with current law can be accomplished by the use of manned aircraft, including activities to ensure compliance with federal or state regulatory, permit, or other requirements (including surveys for permits for construction or maintenance of pipelines) and activities relating to ensuring compliance with federal requirements for the transportation of natural gas, other gas, or hazardous substances by pipeline; activities to inspect, repair, or respond to critical infrastructure, including to respond to a pipeline incident, natural or man-made disaster, severe weather event, or other incident beyond the control of such person that may cause material damage to such infrastructure; and other activities if the covered person notifies the local Flight Standards District Office before the operation of the unmanned aircraft system. A "covered person" is a person who owns or operates a pipeline or other critical infrastructure, is an agent of such person, or is the sponsor of a pipeline project.