Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2276
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2015-11-10
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents

Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Advisory bodies

Air quality

California

Congressional oversight

Department of Transportation

Ecology

Economic performance and conditions

Electric power generation and transmission

Emergency planning and evacuation

Employee hiring

Energy prices

Energy storage, supplies, demand

Environmental health

Fires

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Government trust funds

Great Lakes

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Intergovernmental relations

Licensing and registrations

Marine pollution

Oil and gas

Pipelines

Public utilities and utility rates

Research and development

State and local government operations

Transportation programs funding

Transportation safety and security

User charges and fees

Water storage

Water use and supply
Latest action: action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Became Public Law No: 114-183.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-11-10
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act or the SAFE PIPES Act</b></p> <p>This bill reauthorizes through FY2019 the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline and related programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT).</p> <p>DOT shall make periodic reports to Congress on the status of a final rule for required pipeline safety regulations for which no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued, and any other significant rulemaking.</p> <p>The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report on the natural gas integrity management and hazardous liquid integrity management programs.</p> <p> After completion of any pipeline safety inspection, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), or the head of the agency leading the inspection, shall:</p> <ul> <li>conduct a post-inspection briefing with the operator outlining concerns; or </li> <li>issue the operator a final report, notice of amendment of plans or procedures, safety order, or corrective action order.</li> </ul> <p>DOT shall study improving damage prevention through technological improvements in location and communications practices to prevent accidental excavation damage to a pipe or its coating.</p> <p>The PHMSA shall review its staff resource management, and may certify the existence of any severe shortage of qualified candidates or a critical hiring need for a PHMSA position or group of positions.</p> <p>In developing a research and development program plan for pipeline facility integrity, the PHMSA shall: (1) create opportunities for joint research ventures with non-federal entities, and (2) permit collaborative research and development projects with appropriate non-federal organizations.</p> <p>DOT shall convene a working group to consider development of a voluntary no-fault information sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing regarding natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis.</p> <p>DOT shall:</p> <ul> <li>report on the feasibility of a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database to improve communication and collaboration between the PHMSA and state pipeline regulators; and </li> <li>issue minimum uniform safety standards for the operation, environmental protection, and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities.</li> </ul> <p> The PHMSA and an operator shall each consider the impact of a worst-case discharge of hazardous liquid, or the substantial threat of one, into or on any navigable waters or adjoining shorelines that may be covered by ice.</p> <p>DOT shall revise certain regulations to state explicitly that the Great Lakes are a U.S.A. ecological resource for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area.</p> <p>The GAO shall report on the staffing, resource allocation, oversight strategy, and management of the Transportation Security Administration's pipeline security program and other surface transportation programs.</p>

action_date: 2016-02-24
action_desc: Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
text: <p><b>Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act or the SAFE PIPES Act</b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes through FY2019 the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline and related programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT), including emergency response grants, one-call notification programs, state damage prevention programs, community pipeline safety information grants, and the pipeline integrity program.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) DOT shall make periodic reports to Congress on the status of a final rule for required pipeline safety regulations for which no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued, and any other significant pipeline safety rulemaking.</p> <p>(Sec. 4) The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) shall rescind a June 26, 2015, interpretative letter requiring placards on flammable hazardous materials (hazmat) carriers to be changed to represent the lowest flash point of the particular type of fuel transported during each shipment.</p> <p>The PHMSA shall reinstate previous regulations which provided that, as long as carriers do not transport a fuel with a lower flash point than the placard states, they shall not have to change the placard or purchase adjustable placards.</p> <p>(Sec. 5) The PHMSA shall prioritize the use of its resources for the completion of each such outstanding statutory requirement, including requirements for rulemakings and information collection requests, for a rulemaking before beginning any new rulemaking required after enactment of this bill unless DOT certifies to Congress a significant need to move forward with a new rulemaking.</p> <p>(Sec. 6) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report on the natural gas integrity management and hazardous liquid integrity management programs.</p> <p>(Sec. 8) Two of the individuals selected for each Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and each Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee must be state officials (currently, state commissioners). DOT must consult with national organizations representing commissioners (as under current law) or governors when making such a selection.</p> <p> (Sec. 9) After completion of any pipeline safety inspection, the PHMSA, or the state authority with a pipeline safety program certification, shall:</p> <ul> <li>conduct a post-inspection briefing with the operator outlining concerns, and to the extent practicable, present written preliminary findings; or </li> <li>issue the operator a final report, notice of amendment of plans or procedures, safety order, or corrective action order.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 10) The GAO shall assess:</p> <ul> <li> the feasibility of odorizing all combustible gas in transportation;</li> <li>the impacts of the odorization of all combustible gas in transportation on manufacturers, agriculture, and other end users; and </li> <li>the relative benefits and costs associated with odorizing all combustible gas in transportation compared to using other methods to mitigate pipeline leaks.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 11) DOT shall study improving existing damage prevention programs through technological improvements in location, mapping, and communications practices to prevent accidental excavation damage to a pipe or its coating, including considerations of technical, operational, and economic feasibility and existing damage prevention programs.</p> <p>(Sec. 12) The PHMSA shall review its staff resource management, including geographic allocation plans, hiring challenges, and expected retirement rates and strategies, and may certify at least annually the existence of any severe shortage of qualified candidates or a critical hiring need for a PHMSA position or group of positions.</p> <p>The PHMSA, after making such a certification, may hire a candidate for the position or candidates for the group of positions.</p> <p>(Sec. 13) In developing a research and development program plan for pipeline facility integrity, the PHMSA shall: (1) create opportunities for joint research ventures with non-federal entities to leverage limited federal research resources; and (2) permit collaborative research and development projects with appropriate non-federal organizations.</p> <p>(Sec. 14) DOT shall convene a working group to consider the development of a voluntary no-fault information sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing regarding natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis.</p> <p>(Sec. 15) DOT shall:</p> <ul> <li>report on the feasibility of a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database to improve communication and collaboration between the PHMSA and state pipeline regulators; and </li> <li>issue minimum uniform safety standards incorporating consensus standards for the operation, environmental protection, and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities (such as depleted hydrocarbon, aquifer, or solution mined salt cavern reservoirs), for the operation of which a user fee shall apply.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 17) DOT shall allow for a state authority with a pipeline safety program certification, at its request, to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipeline facility.</p> <p>DOT may also grant temporary authority for a certified state authority to participate in oversight of interstate pipeline safety transportation to ensure proper safety oversight and prevent an adverse impact on public safety.</p> <p>(Sec. 18) In preparing or reviewing a response plan for an onshore pipeline, the PHMSA and an operator shall each consider the impact of a worst-case discharge of hazardous liquid, or the substantial threat of one, into or on any navigable waters or adjoining shorelines that may be covered in whole or in part by ice.</p> <p>(Sec. 19) DOT shall revise certain regulations to state explicitly that the Great Lakes are a USA ecological resource for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area.</p> <p>(Sec. 20) The GAO shall report on the staffing, resource allocation, oversight strategy, and management of the Transportation Security Administration's pipeline security program and other surface transportation programs.</p> <p>(Sec. 21) DOT shall prescribe minimum safety standards for small scale intrastate liquefied natural gas facilities (other than peak shaving facilities) that produce liquefied natural gas for use as a fuel in the United States or for transportation in the United States by a means other than a pipeline facility.</p> <p>(Sec. 22) The PHMSA shall report to Congress on the metrics provided to it and to other federal and state agencies related to lost and unaccounted for natural gas from distribution pipelines and systems.</p> <p>(Sec. 23) The GAO shall conduct a state-by-state review of state-level policies that:</p> <ul> <li>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</li> <li>may create barriers for entities to conduct work to repair and replace leaking natural gas pipelines or distribution systems.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 24) The PHMSA shall:</p> <ul> <li>give an appropriate congressional committee, upon request, full and unredacted copies of oil spill response plans; and </li> <li>consult with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during its pre-filing procedures and permitting process for new natural gas pipeline infrastructure to ensure the protection of people and the environment from the risks of hazmat transportation.</li> </ul>

action_date: 2016-03-03
action_desc: Passed Senate amended
text: <p><b>Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act or the SAFE PIPES Act</b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes through FY2019 the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline and related programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT), including emergency response grants, one-call notification programs, state damage prevention programs, community pipeline safety information grants, and the pipeline integrity program.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) DOT shall make periodic updates on a public website about the status of a final rule for required pipeline safety regulations for which no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued, and any other significant pipeline safety rulemaking.</p> <p>(Sec. 4) The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) shall rescind a June 26, 2015, interpretative letter requiring placards on flammable hazardous materials (hazmat) carriers to be changed to represent the lowest flash point of the particular type of fuel transported during each shipment.</p> <p>The PHMSA shall reinstate previous regulations which provided that, as long as carriers do not transport a fuel with a lower flash point than the placard states, they shall not have to change the placard or purchase adjustable placards.</p> <p>(Sec. 5) The PHMSA shall prioritize the use of Office of Pipeline Safety resources for the development of each such outstanding pipeline safety statutory requirement, including requirements for rulemakings and information collection requests, for a rulemaking before beginning any new rulemaking required after enactment of this bill unless DOT certifies to Congress a significant need to move forward with a new rulemaking.</p> <p>(Sec. 6) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report on the natural gas integrity management and hazardous liquid integrity management programs.</p> <p>(Sec. 8) Two of the individuals selected for each Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and each Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee must be state officials (currently, state commissioners). DOT must consult with national organizations representing commissioners (as under current law) or governors when making such a selection.</p> <p> (Sec. 9) After completion of any pipeline safety inspection, the PHMSA, or the state authority with a pipeline safety program certification, shall:</p> <ul> <li>conduct a post-inspection briefing with the operator outlining concerns, and to the extent practicable, present written preliminary findings; or </li> <li>issue the operator a final report, notice of amendment of plans or procedures, safety order, or corrective action order.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 10) The GAO shall assess:</p> <ul> <li> the feasibility of odorizing all combustible gas in transportation;</li> <li>the impacts of the odorization of all combustible gas in transportation on manufacturers, agriculture, and other end users; and </li> <li>the relative benefits and costs associated with odorizing all combustible gas in transportation, including impacts on health and safety, compared to using other methods to mitigate pipeline leaks.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 11) DOT shall study improving existing damage prevention programs through technological improvements in location, mapping, and communications practices to prevent accidental excavation damage to a pipe or its coating, including considerations of technical, operational, and economic feasibility and existing damage prevention programs.</p> <p>(Sec. 12) The PHMSA shall review its staff resource management, including geographic allocation plans, hiring challenges, and expected retirement rates and strategies, and may certify at least annually the existence of any severe shortage of qualified candidates or a critical hiring need for a PHMSA position or group of positions.</p> <p>The PHMSA, after making such a certification, may hire a candidate for the position or candidates for the group of positions indicated in it.</p> <p>(Sec. 13) In developing a research and development program plan for pipeline facility integrity, the PHMSA shall: (1) create opportunities for joint research ventures with non-federal entities to leverage limited federal research resources; and (2) permit collaborative research and development projects with appropriate non-federal organizations.</p> <p>(Sec. 14) DOT shall convene a working group to consider the development of a voluntary no-fault information sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing regarding natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis.</p> <p>(Sec. 15) DOT shall:</p> <ul> <li>report on the feasibility of a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database to improve communication and collaboration between the PHMSA and state pipeline regulators; and </li> <li>issue minimum uniform safety standards incorporating consensus standards for the operation, environmental protection, and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities (such as depleted hydrocarbon, aquifer, or solution mined salt cavern reservoirs), for the operation of which a user fee shall apply.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 17) DOT shall allow for a state authority with a pipeline safety program certification, at its request, to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipeline facility.</p> <p>DOT may also grant temporary authority for a certified state authority to participate in oversight of interstate pipeline safety transportation to ensure proper safety oversight and prevent an adverse impact on public safety.</p> <p>(Sec. 18) In preparing or reviewing a response plan for an onshore pipeline, the PHMSA and an operator shall each address the impact of a worst-case discharge of hazardous liquid, or the substantial threat of one, into or on any navigable waters or adjoining shorelines that may be covered in whole or in part by ice.</p> <p>(Sec. 19) DOT shall revise certain regulations to state explicitly that the Great Lakes are a USA ecological resource for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area.</p> <p>(Sec. 20) The GAO shall report on the staffing, resource allocation, oversight strategy, and management of the Transportation Security Administration's pipeline security program and other surface transportation programs.</p> <p>(Sec. 21) DOT shall prescribe minimum safety standards for small scale permanent intrastate liquefied natural gas facilities (other than peak shaving facilities) that produce liquefied natural gas for use as a fuel in the United States or for transportation in the United States by a means other than a pipeline facility.</p> <p>(Sec. 22) The PHMSA shall report to Congress on the metrics provided to it and to other federal and state agencies related to lost and unaccounted for natural gas from distribution pipelines and systems.</p> <p>(Sec. 23) The GAO shall conduct a state-by-state review of state-level policies that:</p> <ul> <li>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</li> <li>may create barriers for entities to conduct work to repair and replace leaking natural gas pipelines or distribution systems.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 24) The PHMSA shall give the Chairperson or Ranking Member of an appropriate congressional committee, upon request, a uniquely identifiable, unredacted copy of an oil spill response plan.</p> <p>Any information subject to exclusion from a response plan shall be afforded appropriate protection against unauthorized public disclosure, consistent with the rules and practices related to the protection of confidential information received by Congress.</p> <p>Such excluded information comprises:</p> <ul> <li>proprietary information;</li> <li>security-sensitive information;</li> <li>specific response resources and tactical resource deployment plans; and</li> <li>the specific amount and location of worst case discharges, including the process by which an owner or operator determines the worst case discharge. </ul> <p>(Sec. 25) The PHMSA shall consult with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during its pre-filing procedures and permitting process for new natural gas pipeline infrastructure to ensure the protection of people and the environment from the risks of hazmat transportation.</p> <p>(Sec. 26) The bill revises DOT authority to withhold any part of a payment from a state authority under a state pipeline safety grant if the state authority is not maintaining a satisfactory effort to carry out a safety program or is not acting satisfactorily as an agent.</p> <p>(Sec. 27) DOT shall lead and establish an Aliso Canyon Task Force to:</p> <ul> <li>analyze the cause and contributing factors of the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak;</li> <li>analyze measures taken to stop the leak;</li> <li>assess the impact of the leak on health, safety, the environment, and the economy of the residents and property surrounding Aliso Canyon, on wholesale and retail electricity prices, and on the reliability of the bulk-power system;</li> <li>analyze how federal, state, and local agencies responded to the leak;</li> <li>recommend how to improve the response to a future leak and coordination between all appropriate federal, state, and local agencies in response to the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak and future natural gas leaks;</li> <li>analyze the potential for a similar leak to occur at other underground natural gas storage facilities in the United States;</li> <li>recommend how to prevent any future natural gas leaks;</li> <li>recommend whether to continue operations at Aliso Canyon and other underground storage facilities in close proximity to residential populations based on an assessment of the risk of a future natural gas leak; and</li> <li>recommend 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.</li> </ul>

action_date: 2016-06-08
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p><b>Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016 or the PIPES Act of 2016 </b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes through FY2019 the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline and related programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT), including user fees for underground natural gas storage facility safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) operational expenses, one-call notification programs, community pipeline safety information grants, and the pipeline integrity program.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) DOT shall make periodic updates available to the public on DOT's website about the status of a final rule for each outstanding regulation.</p> <p>The term &quot;outstanding regulation&quot; is defined as a required pipeline safety regulation or a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline regulation that has not been published in the Federal Register. </p><p>(Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report on the gas integrity management and hazardous liquid integrity management programs. <p>(Sec. 6) Two of the individuals selected for each Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and each Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee must be state officials (currently, state commissioners). DOT must consult with national organizations representing commissioners (as under current law) or utility regulators prior to making such a selection.</p> <p> (Sec. 7) After completion of any pipeline safety inspection, the PHMSA, or the state authority with a pipeline safety program certification, shall:</p> <ul> <li>conduct within 30 days a post-inspection briefing with the pipeline owner or operator outlining concerns, and </li> <li>provide within 90 days, to the extent practicable, written preliminary findings.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 8) DOT shall study improving existing damage prevention programs through technological improvements in location, mapping, 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.</p> <p>(Sec. 9) The DOT Inspector General shall review PHMSA's staff resource management, including geographic allocation plans, hiring and time-to-hire challenges, and expected retirement rates and strategies.</p> <p>The PHMSA, after making an identification of any previous periods of macroeconomic and pipeline industry conditions under which it has encountered difficulty in filling vacancies, may apply to the Office of Personnel Management for the authority to appoint qualified candidates to positions relating to pipeline safety.</p> <p>(Sec. 10) DOT 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 regarding gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis.</p> <p>(Sec. 11) DOT:</p> <ul> <li>shall report on the feasibility of a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database to improve communication and collaboration between the PHMSA and state pipeline regulators; </li> <li>may establish, if appropriate, such database; and</li> <li>shall issue minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities (such as depleted hydrocarbon, aquifer, or solution mined salt cavern reservoirs). </li> </ul> <p>The bill imposes a fee on the operator of an underground natural gas storage facility, and establishes the Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility Safety Account in the Pipeline Safety Fund to receive such fees. </p> <p>(Sec. 13) DOT shall allow for a state authority with a pipeline safety program certification, at its request, to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipeline facility.</p> <p>(Sec. 14) Each hazardous liquid pipeline facility owner or operator shall provide safety data sheets on any spilled oil to the designated federal On-Scene Coordinator and state and local emergency responders within six hours of notice of a spill to the National Response Center.</p> <p>(Sec. 15) DOT shall issue an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking for public comment on the petition for rulemaking dated October 28, 2015, titled &quot;Corrections to Title 49 CFR 172.336 Hazardous Materials Identification numbers; special provisions&quot; (P-1667).</p> <p>(Sec. 16) DOT may issue an emergency order, without prior notice or hearing, for violations of pipeline regulations, or an unsafe condition or practice, or combination thereof, constituting or causing an imminent hazard.</p> <p>(Sec. 17) The bill revises DOT authority to withhold any part of a payment from a state authority under a state pipeline safety grant if the state authority is not maintaining a satisfactory effort to carry out a safety program or is not acting satisfactorily as an agent. </p> <p>DOT may also, due to the rejection, suspension, or interruption of of a state pipeline safety program certification, use any undistributed grant funds for pipeline safety activities for that state.</p> <p>(Sec. 18) Each hazardous liquid pipeline facility owner or operator required to prepare a response plan shall:</p> <ul> <li> consider the impact of a discharge into or on navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, including those covered by ice; and </li> <li>include procedures and resources for responding to such discharge in the plan.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 19) DOT shall revise certain regulations to state explicitly that the Great Lakes, coastal beaches, and marine coastal waters are unusually sensitive areas (USA) ecological resources for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area.</p> <p>(Sec. 20) DOT's Inspector General shall report to Congress on the community pipeline safety technical assistance grants program.</p> <p>(Sec. 21) GAO shall study materials, training, and corrosion prevention technologies for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.</p> <p>(Sec. 22) DOT's Inspector General shall report to Congress on PHMSA's pipeline facility integrity research and development program.</p> <p>The bill amends the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 to revise and prescribe funding level percentages from non-federal sources for the program.</p> <p>DOT shall implement processes and procedures to ensure program activities are peer-reviewed by independent experts.</p> <p>(Sec. 23) DOT shall issue an advisory bulletin to owners and operators of gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities and state pipeline safety personnel regarding PHMSA procedures for changing the status of a pipeline facility from active to abandoned.</p> <p>(Sec. 24) GAO shall conduct a study on state pipeline safety agreements.</p> <p>DOT shall provide written notice to a state authority with a pipeline safety program certification of the denial of its request for an agreement authorizing it to participate in the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation.</p> <p>(Sec. 25) Each gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility operator shall ensure that pipeline integrity assessments:</p> <ul> <li>using internal inspection technology for the integrity threat are completed at least once every 12 months; and </li> <li>using pipeline route surveys, depth of cover surveys, pressure tests, external corrosion direct assessment, or other technology that can determine the condition of the pipeline facility are completed on a schedule based on the risk the pipeline poses to a high consequence area.</li> </ul> <p>The requirements shall apply to underwater hazardous liquid pipeline facilities located in such areas.</p> <p>(Sec. 26) DOT shall enter into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies to study the safety, regulatory requirements, and best practices for pipeline facilities that transport or store only petroleum gas or mixtures of petroleum gas and air to 100 or fewer customers.</p> <p>(Sec. 27) The bill revises certain factors DOT must consider in prescribing minimum safety standards for liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities.</p> <p>DOT shall consider national security in prescribing such standards.</p> <p>DOT shall review and update such standards for permanent, small scale liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities.</p> <p>(Sec. 28) GAO shall assess the feasibility of odorizing all combustible gas in pipeline transportation, including its effects on manufacturers, agriculture, other end users, and public health and safety.</p> <p>(Sec. 29) The PHMSA shall report to Congress on the metrics provided to it and to other federal and state agencies related to lost and unaccounted for natural gas from distribution pipelines and systems.</p> <p>(Sec. 30) The PHMSA shall conduct a state-by-state review of state-level policies that:</p> <UL> <LI>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 <LI>may create barriers for entities to conduct work to repair and replace leaking natural gas pipelines or distribution systems. </LI> </UL> <p>(Sec. 31) The Department of Energy shall lead and establish an Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Leak Task Force to:</p> <ul> <li>analyze the cause and contributing factors of the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak;</li> <li>analyze measures taken to stop the leak;</li> <li>assess the impact of the leak on health, safety, and the environment, wholesale and retail electricity prices, and the reliability of the bulk-power system;</li> <li>analyze how federal, state, and local agencies responded to the leak;</li> <li>recommend how to improve the response to a future leak and coordination between all appropriate federal, state, and local agencies in response to the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak and future natural gas leaks;</li> <li>analyze the potential for a similar leak to occur at other underground natural gas storage facilities in the United States;</li> <li>recommend how to prevent any future natural gas leaks;</li> <li>recommend regarding Aliso Canyon and other underground storage facilities close proximity to residential populations; and</li> <li>recommend 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.</li> </ul>

action_date: 2016-06-22
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on June 8, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><b>Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016 or the PIPES Act of 2016 </b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes through FY2019 the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline and related programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT), including user fees for underground natural gas storage facility safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) operational expenses, one-call notification programs, community pipeline safety information grants, and the pipeline integrity program.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) DOT shall make periodic updates available to the public on DOT's website about the status of a final rule for each outstanding regulation.</p> <p>The term &quot;outstanding regulation&quot; is defined as a required pipeline safety regulation or a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline regulation that has not been published in the Federal Register. </p><p>(Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report on the gas integrity management and hazardous liquid integrity management programs. <p>(Sec. 6) Two of the individuals selected for each Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and each Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee must be state officials (currently, state commissioners). DOT must consult with national organizations representing commissioners (as under current law) or utility regulators prior to making such a selection.</p> <p> (Sec. 7) After completion of any pipeline safety inspection, the PHMSA, or the state authority with a pipeline safety program certification, shall:</p> <ul> <li>conduct within 30 days a post-inspection briefing with the pipeline owner or operator outlining concerns, and </li> <li>provide within 90 days, to the extent practicable, written preliminary findings.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 8) DOT shall study improving existing damage prevention programs through technological improvements in location, mapping, 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.</p> <p>(Sec. 9) The DOT Inspector General shall review PHMSA's staff resource management, including geographic allocation plans, hiring and time-to-hire challenges, and expected retirement rates and strategies.</p> <p>The PHMSA, after making an identification of any previous periods of macroeconomic and pipeline industry conditions under which it has encountered difficulty in filling vacancies, may apply to the Office of Personnel Management for the authority to appoint qualified candidates to positions relating to pipeline safety.</p> <p>(Sec. 10) DOT 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 regarding gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis.</p> <p>(Sec. 11) DOT:</p> <ul> <li>shall report on the feasibility of a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database to improve communication and collaboration between the PHMSA and state pipeline regulators; </li> <li>may establish, if appropriate, such database; and</li> <li>shall issue minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities (such as depleted hydrocarbon, aquifer, or solution mined salt cavern reservoirs). </li> </ul> <p>The bill imposes a fee on the operator of an underground natural gas storage facility, and establishes the Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility Safety Account in the Pipeline Safety Fund to receive such fees. </p> <p>(Sec. 13) DOT shall allow for a state authority with a pipeline safety program certification, at its request, to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipeline facility.</p> <p>(Sec. 14) Each hazardous liquid pipeline facility owner or operator shall provide safety data sheets on any spilled oil to the designated federal On-Scene Coordinator and state and local emergency responders within six hours of notice of a spill to the National Response Center.</p> <p>(Sec. 15) DOT shall issue an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking for public comment on the petition for rulemaking dated October 28, 2015, titled &quot;Corrections to Title 49 CFR 172.336 Hazardous Materials Identification numbers; special provisions&quot; (P-1667).</p> <p>(Sec. 16) DOT may issue an emergency order, without prior notice or hearing, for violations of pipeline regulations, or an unsafe condition or practice, or combination thereof, constituting or causing an imminent hazard.</p> <p>(Sec. 17) The bill revises DOT authority to withhold any part of a payment from a state authority under a state pipeline safety grant if the state authority is not maintaining a satisfactory effort to carry out a safety program or is not acting satisfactorily as an agent. </p> <p>DOT may also, due to the rejection, suspension, or interruption of of a state pipeline safety program certification, use any undistributed grant funds for pipeline safety activities for that state.</p> <p>(Sec. 18) Each hazardous liquid pipeline facility owner or operator required to prepare a response plan shall:</p> <ul> <li> consider the impact of a discharge into or on navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, including those covered by ice; and </li> <li>include procedures and resources for responding to such discharge in the plan.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 19) DOT shall revise certain regulations to state explicitly that the Great Lakes, coastal beaches, and marine coastal waters are unusually sensitive areas (USA) ecological resources for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area.</p> <p>(Sec. 20) DOT's Inspector General shall report to Congress on the community pipeline safety technical assistance grants program.</p> <p>(Sec. 21) GAO shall study materials, training, and corrosion prevention technologies for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.</p> <p>(Sec. 22) DOT's Inspector General shall report to Congress on PHMSA's pipeline facility integrity research and development program.</p> <p>The bill amends the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 to revise and prescribe funding level percentages from non-federal sources for the program.</p> <p>DOT shall implement processes and procedures to ensure program activities are peer-reviewed by independent experts.</p> <p>(Sec. 23) DOT shall issue an advisory bulletin to owners and operators of gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities and state pipeline safety personnel regarding PHMSA procedures for changing the status of a pipeline facility from active to abandoned.</p> <p>(Sec. 24) GAO shall conduct a study on state pipeline safety agreements.</p> <p>DOT shall provide written notice to a state authority with a pipeline safety program certification of the denial of its request for an agreement authorizing it to participate in the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation.</p> <p>(Sec. 25) Each gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility operator shall ensure that pipeline integrity assessments:</p> <ul> <li>using internal inspection technology for the integrity threat are completed at least once every 12 months; and </li> <li>using pipeline route surveys, depth of cover surveys, pressure tests, external corrosion direct assessment, or other technology that can determine the condition of the pipeline facility are completed on a schedule based on the risk the pipeline poses to a high consequence area.</li> </ul> <p>The requirements shall apply to underwater hazardous liquid pipeline facilities located in such areas.</p> <p>(Sec. 26) DOT shall enter into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies to study the safety, regulatory requirements, and best practices for pipeline facilities that transport or store only petroleum gas or mixtures of petroleum gas and air to 100 or fewer customers.</p> <p>(Sec. 27) The bill revises certain factors DOT must consider in prescribing minimum safety standards for liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities.</p> <p>DOT shall consider national security in prescribing such standards.</p> <p>DOT shall review and update such standards for permanent, small scale liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities.</p> <p>(Sec. 28) GAO shall assess the feasibility of odorizing all combustible gas in pipeline transportation, including its effects on manufacturers, agriculture, other end users, and public health and safety.</p> <p>(Sec. 29) The PHMSA shall report to Congress on the metrics provided to it and to other federal and state agencies related to lost and unaccounted for natural gas from distribution pipelines and systems.</p> <p>(Sec. 30) The PHMSA shall conduct a state-by-state review of state-level policies that:</p> <UL> <LI>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 <LI>may create barriers for entities to conduct work to repair and replace leaking natural gas pipelines or distribution systems. </LI> </UL> <p>(Sec. 31) The Department of Energy shall lead and establish an Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Leak Task Force to:</p> <ul> <li>analyze the cause and contributing factors of the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak;</li> <li>analyze measures taken to stop the leak;</li> <li>assess the impact of the leak on health, safety, and the environment, wholesale and retail electricity prices, and the reliability of the bulk-power system;</li> <li>analyze how federal, state, and local agencies responded to the leak;</li> <li>recommend how to improve the response to a future leak and coordination between all appropriate federal, state, and local agencies in response to the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak and future natural gas leaks;</li> <li>analyze the potential for a similar leak to occur at other underground natural gas storage facilities in the United States;</li> <li>recommend how to prevent any future natural gas leaks;</li> <li>recommend regarding Aliso Canyon and other underground storage facilities close proximity to residential populations; and</li> <li>recommend 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.</li> </ul>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2276 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 10, 2015 Mrs. Fischer (for herself, Mr. Booker , Mr. Daines , and Mr. Peters ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in pipeline transportation, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; references (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Securing America’s Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act or the SAFE PIPES Act . (b) References to title 49, United States Code Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 49, United States Code. 2. Authorization of appropriations (a) Gas and hazardous liquid Section 60125(a) 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 out such section 12 and $ 36,194,000 is for making grants. and inserting the following: there are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation from fees collected under section 60301— (A) $127,060,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which $9,325,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $42,515,000 shall be expended for making grants; (B) $129,671,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $9,418,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $42,941,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C) $132,334,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $9,512,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $43,371,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (D) $135,051,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $9,607,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $43,805,000 shall be expended for making grants. ; and (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 are 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) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which $3,108,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,708,000 shall be expended for making grants; (B) $20,288,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $3,139,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,795,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C) $20,694,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $3,171,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,883,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (D) $21,108,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $3,203,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,972,000 shall be expended for making grants. . (b) Emergency response grants Section 60125(b)(2) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (c) One-Call notification programs Section 6107 is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 and inserting $1,060,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2019 ; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (d) State damage prevention programs Section 60134(i) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (e) Community pipeline safety information grants Section 60130(c) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (f) 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 . 3. Regulatory updates (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until a final rule has been issued for each of the requirements described under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the status of a final rule for— (1) regulations required under the Pipeline Safety Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act of 2011 ( Public Law 112–90 ; 125 Stat. 1904) for which no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued; (2) any regulation relating to pipeline safety required by law, other than a regulation described under paragraph (1), for which for more than 2 years after the date of the enacting statute or statutory deadline no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued; and (3) any other rulemaking categorized as significant. (b) Contents Each report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of the work plan for the outstanding regulation; (2) an updated rulemaking timeline for the outstanding regulation; (3) current staff allocations; (4) current data collection or research relating to the development of the rulemaking; (5) current collaborative efforts with safety experts and other stakeholders; (6) any resource constraints impacting the rulemaking process for the outstanding regulation; and (7) any other details associated with the development of the rulemaking that impact the progress of the rulemaking. 4. Statutory preference The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall prioritize the use of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration resources for the completion of each outstanding statutory requirement for a rulemaking described in a report under section 3 before beginning any new rulemaking required after the date of the enactment of this Act unless the Secretary of Transportation certifies to Congress that there is a significant need to move forward with a new rulemaking. 5. Natural gas integrity management review (a) Report Not later than 18 months after the publication of a final rule regarding the safety of gas transmission pipelines (76 Fed. Reg. 53086), the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress regarding the natural gas integrity management program. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an analysis of the extent to which the natural gas integrity management program under section 60109(c) of title 49, United States Code, has improved the safety of natural gas transmission pipelines; (2) an analysis or recommendations regarding changes to the program that would prevent inadvertent releases from pipelines and mitigate any adverse consequences of an inadvertent release, including changes to the current definition of high consequence area, or would expand integrity management beyond high consequence areas; (3) a review of the cost effectiveness of the legacy class location regulations; (4) an analysis of and recommendations regarding what impact the age of a pipeline should have on risk analysis of a particular pipeline; (5) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State regulators in their oversight of the program and how the challenges are being addressed; and (6) a description of any challenges affecting the natural gas industry in complying with the program, and how the challenges are being addressed. (c) Definition of high consequence area In this section and in section 6, the term high consequence area means an area described in section 60109(a) of title 49, United States Code. 6. Hazardous liquid integrity management review (a) Safety study Not later than 18 months after the publication of a final rule regarding the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines (80 Fed. Reg. 61610), the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress regarding the hazardous liquid integrity management program. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an analysis of the extent to which liquid pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas for operators of certain hazardous liquid pipeline facilities, as regulated under sections 195.450 and 195.452 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, has improved the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines; (2) recommendations, including consideration of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, regarding changes to the program that could prevent inadvertent releases from pipelines and mitigate any adverse consequences of an inadvertent release, including changes to the current definition of high consequence area; (3) an analysis of how surveying, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring activities, including real-time hazardous liquid pipeline monitoring during significant flood events and information sharing with other Federal agencies, are being used to address risks associated with the dynamic and unique nature of rivers, flood plains, and lakes; (4) an analysis of and recommendations regarding what impact pipeline features and conditions, including the age, condition, materials, and construction of a pipeline should have on risk analysis of a particular pipeline and what changes to the definition of high consequence area could be made to improve pipeline safety; and (5) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State regulators in their oversight of the program and how the challenges are being addressed. 7. Technical safety standards committees Section 60115(b)(4)(A) 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 governors when making a selection under this subparagraph. . 8. Inspection report information (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the completion of a pipeline safety inspection, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or the head of the agency leading the inspection, shall— (1) conduct a post-inspection briefing with the operator outlining concerns, and to the extent practicable, provide written preliminary findings of the inspection; or (2) issue to the operator a final report, notice of amendment of plans or procedures, safety order, or corrective action order. (b) Report (1) In general The Administrator shall submit an annual report to Congress regarding— (A) the actions that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has taken to ensure that inspections by State authorities provide effective and timely oversight; and (B) statistics relating to the timeliness of the actions described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a). (2) Cessation of effectiveness Paragraph (1) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2019. 9. Improving location mapping technology (a) Study The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with stakeholders, shall conduct a study on improving damage prevention through technological improvements in location and communications practices to prevent accidental excavation damage to a pipe or its coating, including considerations of technical, operational, and economic feasibility. (b) Contents The study under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an identification of any methods that could improve damage prevention through location and mapping data in an effort to reduce unintended releases caused by excavation; (2) an analysis of how increased use of GPS 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 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 (4) 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 of Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the study under this section, including recommendations, that include the consideration of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, on how to incorporate technological improvements and practices that may help prevent accidental excavation damage. 10. Workforce of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (a) Review 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 review of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration staff resource management, including geographic allocation plans, hiring challenges, and expected retirement rates and strategies. The review shall include recommendations to address hiring challenges, training needs, and any other identified staff resource challenges. (b) Critical hiring needs (1) In general Beginning on the date on which the review is submitted under subsection (a), the Administrator may certify to Congress, not less frequently than annually, that a severe shortage of qualified candidates or a critical hiring need exists for a position or group of positions in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (2) Direct hire authority Notwithstanding sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code, the Administrator, after making a certification under paragraph (1), may hire a candidate for the position or candidates for the group of positions, as applicable. (3) Terminations of effectiveness The direct hire authority provided under paragraph (2) shall terminate on September 30, 2019. 11. Research and development (a) In general In developing a research and development program plan under paragraph (3) of section 12(d) of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 ( 49 U.S.C. 60101 note), the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, shall— (1) detail compliance with the consultation requirement under paragraph (2) of such section; (2) provide opportunities for joint research ventures with non-Federal entities, whenever practicable and appropriate, to leverage limited Federal research resources; and (3) permit collaborative research and development projects with appropriate non-Federal organizations. (b) Collaborative safety research report Section 60124(a)(6) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) research activities in collaboration with non-Federal entities, including the intended improvements to safety technology, inspection technology, operator response time, and emergency responder incident response time. . 12. 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 no-fault information sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing with the purpose of improving natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis. (b) Membership The working group described in subsection (a) shall include representatives from— (1) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; (2) industry stakeholders, including operators of pipeline facilities, inspection technology vendors, and pipeline inspection organizations; (3) safety advocacy groups; (4) research institutions; (5) State public utility commissions or State officials responsible for pipeline safety oversight; (6) State pipeline safety inspectors; and (7) labor representatives. (c) Considerations The working group described in subsection (a) shall consider and provide recommendations, if applicable, to the Secretary on— (1) the need for and the identification of a system to ensure that dig verification data is shared with inline inspection operators to the extent consistent with the need to maintain proprietary 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; and (5) regulatory, funding, and legal barriers to sharing the information described in paragraphs (1) through (4). (d) FACA The working group shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). (e) Publication The Secretary shall publish the recommendations provided under subsection (c) on a publicly available website. 13. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database (a) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to subsection (c), the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to Congress on the feasibility of 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 under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of any efforts currently 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 the sharing of the data; (3) a description of any existing 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 database; and (5) recommendations for how to implement a secure information-sharing system for the purpose described in subsection (a). (c) Consultation In preparing the report under subsection (a), 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. 14. Underground natural gas storage facilities (a) Definition of underground natural gas storage facility In this section, the term underground natural gas storage facility means a gas pipeline facility (as defined in section 60101 of title 49, United States Code) that stores gas in an underground facility, including— (1) a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir; (2) an aquifer reservoir; or (3) a solution mined salt cavern reservoir. (b) Minimum uniform safety standards Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall issue minimum uniform safety standards, incorporating, to the extent practicable, consensus standards for the operation, environmental protection, and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities. (c) Considerations In developing the uniform safety standards under subsection (b), the Secretary shall— (1) consider the economic impacts of the regulations on individual gas customers to the extent practicable; (2) ensure that the regulations do not have a significant economic impact on end users to the extent practicable; and (3) consider existing consensus standards. (d) Certifications The Secretary may authorize an intrastate underground natural gas storage safety program by a State authority that annually submits a certification to the Secretary in the same manner as provided under subsections (b) and (c) of section 60105 of title 49, United States Code. (e) Agreements (1) In general The Secretary may make an agreement, in the same manner as provided in section 60106 of title 49, United States Code, with a State authority authorizing the State authority to take necessary action to provide or participate in the oversight of interstate underground natural gas storage facilities. (2) Rule of construction Notwithstanding the limitation under section 60104(b) of title 49, United States Code, to the extent a State has oversight of the wellbore piping and hole drilled to connect the surface wellhead with the underground reservoir, the standards adopted under subsection (b) may be enforced by the State. (f) Grants If a State authority with responsibility for regulating gas pipelines in that State under a certification under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, an agreement under section 60106 of that title, or both, files an application in such form and manner as prescribed by the Secretary not later than September 30 of a calendar year, the Secretary shall pay not more than 80 percent of the cost of the personnel, equipment, and activities the authority reasonably requires during the next calendar year— (1) to carry out an intrastate underground natural gas storage safety program under a certification under subsection (d); or (2) to act as an agent of the Secretary on interstate underground natural gas storage facilities under an agreement under subsection (e). (g) User fees (1) In general A fee shall be imposed on an entity operating an underground natural gas storage facility to which this section applies. Any such fee imposed shall be collected before the end of the fiscal year to which it applies. (2) Means of collection The Secretary shall prescribe procedures to collect fees under this subsection. 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. (3) Use of fees (A) Account There is established an underground natural gas storage facility safety account in the Pipeline Safety Fund established under section 60301 of title 49, United States Code, in the Treasury of the United States. (B) Use of fees A fee collected under this subsection— (i) shall be deposited in the underground natural gas storage facility safety account; and (ii) if the fee is related to an underground natural gas storage facility, may be used only for an activity related to underground natural gas storage safety under this section. (C) Limitation Amounts collected under this subsection shall be made available only to the extent provided in advance in an appropriation law for an activity related to underground natural gas storage safety. (h) Rules of construction (1) In general Nothing in this section may be construed to affect any regulation relating to gas pipeline facilities that is in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Limitations Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the Secretary to prescribe the location of an underground natural gas storage facility or to require the Secretary’s permission to construct such a facility. 15. Response plans (a) In general In preparing or reviewing a response plan under part 194 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and an operator shall each consider, to the maximum extent practicable, the impact of a worst-case discharge of hazardous liquid, or the substantial threat of such a discharge, into or on any navigable waters or adjoining shorelines that may be covered in whole or in part by ice. (b) Definitions In this section, any applicable definitions set forth in section 194.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act), shall apply. 16. High consequence areas The Secretary of Transportation shall revise section 195.6(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to explicitly state that the Great Lakes are a U.S.A. ecological resource (as defined in section 195.6(b) of that title) for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area (as defined in section 195.450 of that title). 17. Surface transportation security review Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the staffing, resource allocation, oversight strategy, and management of the Transportation Security Administration’s pipeline security program and other surface transportation programs. The report shall include information on the coordination between the Transportation Security Administration, other Federal stakeholders, and industry.

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 370 114th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2276 [Report No. 114–209] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 10, 2015 Mrs. Fischer (for herself, Mr. Booker , Mr. Daines , Mr. Peters , and Mrs. Boxer ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation February 24, 2016 Reported by Mr. Thune , with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in pipeline transportation, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; references (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Securing America’s Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act or the SAFE PIPES Act . (b) References to title 49, United States Code Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 49, United States Code. 2. Authorization of appropriations (a) Gas and hazardous liquid Section 60125(a) 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 out such section 12 and $ 36,194,000 is for making grants. and inserting the following: there are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation from fees collected under section 60301— (A) $127,060,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which $9,325,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $42,515,000 shall be expended for making grants; (B) $129,671,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $9,418,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $42,941,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C) $132,334,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $9,512,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $43,371,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (D) $135,051,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $9,607,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $43,805,000 shall be expended for making grants. ; and (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 are 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) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which $3,108,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,708,000 shall be expended for making grants; (B) $20,288,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $3,139,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,795,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C) $20,694,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $3,171,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,883,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (D) $21,108,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $3,203,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,972,000 shall be expended for making grants. . (b) Emergency response grants Section 60125(b)(2) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (c) One-Call notification programs Section 6107 is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 and inserting $1,060,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2019 ; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (d) State damage prevention programs Section 60134(i) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (e) Community pipeline safety information grants Section 60130(c) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (f) 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 . 3. Regulatory updates (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until a final rule has been issued for each of the requirements described under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the status of a final rule for— (1) regulations required under the Pipeline Safety Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act of 2011 ( Public Law 112–90 ; 125 Stat. 1904) for which no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued; (2) any regulation relating to pipeline safety required by law, other than a regulation described under paragraph (1), for which for more than 2 years after the date of the enacting statute or statutory deadline no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued; and (3) any other rulemaking categorized as significant. (b) Contents Each report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of the work plan for the outstanding regulation; (2) an updated rulemaking timeline for the outstanding regulation; (3) current staff allocations; (4) current data collection or research relating to the development of the rulemaking; (5) current collaborative efforts with safety experts and other stakeholders; (6) any resource constraints impacting the rulemaking process for the outstanding regulation; and (7) any other details associated with the development of the rulemaking that impact the progress of the rulemaking. 4. Statutory preference The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall prioritize the use of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration resources for the completion of each outstanding statutory requirement for a rulemaking described in a report under section 3 before beginning any new rulemaking required after the date of the enactment of this Act unless the Secretary of Transportation certifies to Congress that there is a significant need to move forward with a new rulemaking. 5. Natural gas integrity management review (a) Report Not later than 18 months after the publication of a final rule regarding the safety of gas transmission pipelines (76 Fed. Reg. 53086), the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress regarding the natural gas integrity management program. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an analysis of the extent to which the natural gas integrity management program under section 60109(c) of title 49, United States Code, has improved the safety of natural gas transmission pipelines; (2) an analysis or recommendations regarding changes to the program that would prevent inadvertent releases from pipelines and mitigate any adverse consequences of an inadvertent release, including changes to the current definition of high consequence area, or would expand integrity management beyond high consequence areas; (3) a review of the cost effectiveness of the legacy class location regulations; (4) an analysis of and recommendations regarding what impact the age of a pipeline should have on risk analysis of a particular pipeline; (5) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State regulators in their oversight of the program and how the challenges are being addressed; and (6) a description of any challenges affecting the natural gas industry in complying with the program, and how the challenges are being addressed. (c) Definition of high consequence area In this section and in section 6, the term high consequence area means an area described in section 60109(a) of title 49, United States Code. 6. Hazardous liquid integrity management review (a) Safety study Not later than 18 months after the publication of a final rule regarding the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines (80 Fed. Reg. 61610), the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress regarding the hazardous liquid integrity management program. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an analysis of the extent to which liquid pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas for operators of certain hazardous liquid pipeline facilities, as regulated under sections 195.450 and 195.452 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, has improved the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines; (2) recommendations, including consideration of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, regarding changes to the program that could prevent inadvertent releases from pipelines and mitigate any adverse consequences of an inadvertent release, including changes to the current definition of high consequence area; (3) an analysis of how surveying, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring activities, including real-time hazardous liquid pipeline monitoring during significant flood events and information sharing with other Federal agencies, are being used to address risks associated with the dynamic and unique nature of rivers, flood plains, and lakes; (4) an analysis of and recommendations regarding what impact pipeline features and conditions, including the age, condition, materials, and construction of a pipeline should have on risk analysis of a particular pipeline and what changes to the definition of high consequence area could be made to improve pipeline safety; and (5) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State regulators in their oversight of the program and how the challenges are being addressed. 7. Technical safety standards committees Section 60115(b)(4)(A) 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 governors when making a selection under this subparagraph. . 8. Inspection report information (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the completion of a pipeline safety inspection, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or the head of the agency leading the inspection, shall— (1) conduct a post-inspection briefing with the operator outlining concerns, and to the extent practicable, provide written preliminary findings of the inspection; or (2) issue to the operator a final report, notice of amendment of plans or procedures, safety order, or corrective action order. (b) Report (1) In general The Administrator shall submit an annual report to Congress regarding— (A) the actions that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has taken to ensure that inspections by State authorities provide effective and timely oversight; and (B) statistics relating to the timeliness of the actions described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a). (2) Cessation of effectiveness Paragraph (1) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2019. 9. Improving location mapping technology (a) Study The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with stakeholders, shall conduct a study on improving damage prevention through technological improvements in location and communications practices to prevent accidental excavation damage to a pipe or its coating, including considerations of technical, operational, and economic feasibility. (b) Contents The study under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an identification of any methods that could improve damage prevention through location and mapping data in an effort to reduce unintended releases caused by excavation; (2) an analysis of how increased use of GPS 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 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 (4) 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 of Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the study under this section, including recommendations, that include the consideration of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, on how to incorporate technological improvements and practices that may help prevent accidental excavation damage. 10. Workforce of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (a) Review 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 review of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration staff resource management, including geographic allocation plans, hiring challenges, and expected retirement rates and strategies. The review shall include recommendations to address hiring challenges, training needs, and any other identified staff resource challenges. (b) Critical hiring needs (1) In general Beginning on the date on which the review is submitted under subsection (a), the Administrator may certify to Congress, not less frequently than annually, that a severe shortage of qualified candidates or a critical hiring need exists for a position or group of positions in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (2) Direct hire authority Notwithstanding sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code, the Administrator, after making a certification under paragraph (1), may hire a candidate for the position or candidates for the group of positions, as applicable. (3) Terminations of effectiveness The direct hire authority provided under paragraph (2) shall terminate on September 30, 2019. 11. Research and development (a) In general In developing a research and development program plan under paragraph (3) of section 12(d) of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 ( 49 U.S.C. 60101 note), the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, shall— (1) detail compliance with the consultation requirement under paragraph (2) of such section; (2) provide opportunities for joint research ventures with non-Federal entities, whenever practicable and appropriate, to leverage limited Federal research resources; and (3) permit collaborative research and development projects with appropriate non-Federal organizations. (b) Collaborative safety research report Section 60124(a)(6) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) research activities in collaboration with non-Federal entities, including the intended improvements to safety technology, inspection technology, operator response time, and emergency responder incident response time. . 12. 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 no-fault information sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing with the purpose of improving natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis. (b) Membership The working group described in subsection (a) shall include representatives from— (1) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; (2) industry stakeholders, including operators of pipeline facilities, inspection technology vendors, and pipeline inspection organizations; (3) safety advocacy groups; (4) research institutions; (5) State public utility commissions or State officials responsible for pipeline safety oversight; (6) State pipeline safety inspectors; and (7) labor representatives. (c) Considerations The working group described in subsection (a) shall consider and provide recommendations, if applicable, to the Secretary on— (1) the need for and the identification of a system to ensure that dig verification data is shared with inline inspection operators to the extent consistent with the need to maintain proprietary 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; and (5) regulatory, funding, and legal barriers to sharing the information described in paragraphs (1) through (4). (d) FACA The working group shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). (e) Publication The Secretary shall publish the recommendations provided under subsection (c) on a publicly available website. 13. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database (a) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to subsection (c), the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to Congress on the feasibility of 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 under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of any efforts currently 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 the sharing of the data; (3) a description of any existing 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 database; and (5) recommendations for how to implement a secure information-sharing system for the purpose described in subsection (a). (c) Consultation In preparing the report under subsection (a), 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. 14. Underground natural gas storage facilities (a) Definition of underground natural gas storage facility In this section, the term underground natural gas storage facility means a gas pipeline facility (as defined in section 60101 of title 49, United States Code) that stores gas in an underground facility, including— (1) a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir; (2) an aquifer reservoir; or (3) a solution mined salt cavern reservoir. (b) Minimum uniform safety standards Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall issue minimum uniform safety standards, incorporating, to the extent practicable, consensus standards for the operation, environmental protection, and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities. (c) Considerations In developing the uniform safety standards under subsection (b), the Secretary shall— (1) consider the economic impacts of the regulations on individual gas customers to the extent practicable; (2) ensure that the regulations do not have a significant economic impact on end users to the extent practicable; and (3) consider existing consensus standards. (d) Certifications The Secretary may authorize an intrastate underground natural gas storage safety program by a State authority that annually submits a certification to the Secretary in the same manner as provided under subsections (b) and (c) of section 60105 of title 49, United States Code. (e) Agreements (1) In general The Secretary may make an agreement, in the same manner as provided in section 60106 of title 49, United States Code, with a State authority authorizing the State authority to take necessary action to provide or participate in the oversight of interstate underground natural gas storage facilities. (2) Rule of construction Notwithstanding the limitation under section 60104(b) of title 49, United States Code, to the extent a State has oversight of the wellbore piping and hole drilled to connect the surface wellhead with the underground reservoir, the standards adopted under subsection (b) may be enforced by the State. (f) Grants If a State authority with responsibility for regulating gas pipelines in that State under a certification under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, an agreement under section 60106 of that title, or both, files an application in such form and manner as prescribed by the Secretary not later than September 30 of a calendar year, the Secretary shall pay not more than 80 percent of the cost of the personnel, equipment, and activities the authority reasonably requires during the next calendar year— (1) to carry out an intrastate underground natural gas storage safety program under a certification under subsection (d); or (2) to act as an agent of the Secretary on interstate underground natural gas storage facilities under an agreement under subsection (e). (g) User fees (1) In general A fee shall be imposed on an entity operating an underground natural gas storage facility to which this section applies. Any such fee imposed shall be collected before the end of the fiscal year to which it applies. (2) Means of collection The Secretary shall prescribe procedures to collect fees under this subsection. 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. (3) Use of fees (A) Account There is established an underground natural gas storage facility safety account in the Pipeline Safety Fund established under section 60301 of title 49, United States Code, in the Treasury of the United States. (B) Use of fees A fee collected under this subsection— (i) shall be deposited in the underground natural gas storage facility safety account; and (ii) if the fee is related to an underground natural gas storage facility, may be used only for an activity related to underground natural gas storage safety under this section. (C) Limitation Amounts collected under this subsection shall be made available only to the extent provided in advance in an appropriation law for an activity related to underground natural gas storage safety. (h) Rules of construction (1) In general Nothing in this section may be construed to affect any regulation relating to gas pipeline facilities that is in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Limitations Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the Secretary to prescribe the location of an underground natural gas storage facility or to require the Secretary’s permission to construct such a facility. 15. Response plans (a) In general In preparing or reviewing a response plan under part 194 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and an operator shall each consider, to the maximum extent practicable, the impact of a worst-case discharge of hazardous liquid, or the substantial threat of such a discharge, into or on any navigable waters or adjoining shorelines that may be covered in whole or in part by ice. (b) Definitions In this section, any applicable definitions set forth in section 194.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act), shall apply. 16. High consequence areas The Secretary of Transportation shall revise section 195.6(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to explicitly state that the Great Lakes are a U.S.A. ecological resource (as defined in section 195.6(b) of that title) for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area (as defined in section 195.450 of that title). 17. Surface transportation security review Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the staffing, resource allocation, oversight strategy, and management of the Transportation Security Administration’s pipeline security program and other surface transportation programs. The report shall include information on the coordination between the Transportation Security Administration, other Federal stakeholders, and industry.

1. Short title; references; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Securing America’s Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act or the SAFE PIPES Act . (b) References to title 49, United States Code Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 49, United States Code. (c) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; references; table of contents. Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 3. Regulatory updates. Sec. 4. Hazardous materials identification numbers. Sec. 5. Statutory preference. Sec. 6. Natural gas integrity management review. Sec. 7. Hazardous liquid integrity management review. Sec. 8. Technical safety standards committees. Sec. 9. Inspection report information. Sec. 10. Pipeline odorization study. Sec. 11. Improving damage prevention technology. Sec. 12. Workforce of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Sec. 13. Research and development. Sec. 14. Information sharing system. Sec. 15. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database. Sec. 16. Underground natural gas storage facilities. Sec. 17. Joint inspection and oversight. Sec. 18. Response plans. Sec. 19. High consequence areas. Sec. 20. Surface transportation security review. Sec. 21. Small scale liquefied natural gas facilities. Sec. 22. Report on natural gas leak reporting. Sec. 23. Comptroller General review of State policies relating to natural gas leaks. Sec. 24. Provision of pipeline oil spill response plans to congressional committees. Sec. 25. Consultation with FERC as part of pre-filing procedures and permitting process for new natural gas pipeline infrastructure. 2. Authorization of appropriations (a) Gas and hazardous liquid Section 60125(a) 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 out such section 12 and $ 36,194,000 is for making grants. and inserting the following: “there are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation from fees collected under section 60301— (A) $127,060,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which $9,325,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $42,515,000 shall be expended for making grants; (B) $129,671,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $9,418,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $42,941,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C) $132,334,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $9,512,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $43,371,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (D) $135,051,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $9,607,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $43,805,000 shall be expended for making grants. ; and (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 are 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) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which $3,108,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,708,000 shall be expended for making grants; (B) $20,288,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $3,139,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,795,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C) $20,694,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $3,171,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,883,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (D) $21,108,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $3,203,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,972,000 shall be expended for making grants. . (b) Emergency response grants Section 60125(b)(2) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (c) One-call notification programs Section 6107 is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 and inserting $1,060,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2019 ; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (d) State damage prevention programs Section 60134(i) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (e) Community pipeline safety information grants Section 60130(c) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (f) 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 . 3. Regulatory updates (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until a final rule has been issued for each of the requirements described under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the status of a final rule for— (1) regulations required under the Pipeline Safety Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act of 2011 ( Public Law 112–90 ; 125 Stat. 1904) for which no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued; (2) any regulation relating to pipeline safety required by law, other than a regulation described under paragraph (1), for which for more than 2 years after the date of the enacting statute or statutory deadline no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued; and (3) any other pipeline safety rulemaking categorized as significant. (b) Contents Each report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of the work plan for the outstanding regulation; (2) an updated rulemaking timeline for the outstanding regulation; (3) current staff allocations; (4) any other information collection request with substantial changes; (5) current data collection or research relating to the development of the rulemaking; (6) current collaborative efforts with safety experts and other stakeholders; (7) any resource constraints impacting the rulemaking process for the outstanding regulation; and (8) any other details associated with the development of the rulemaking that impact the progress of the rulemaking. 4. Hazardous materials identification numbers The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall— (1) rescind the implementation of the June 26, 2015 PHMSA interpretative letter (#14-0178); and (2) reinstate paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 172.336(c) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, without the reference to gasohol , as was originally intended in the March 7, 2013 final rule (PHMSA–2011–0142). 5. Statutory preference The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall prioritize the use of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration resources for the completion of each outstanding statutory requirement, including requirements for rulemakings and information collection requests, for a rulemaking described in a report under section 3 before beginning any new rulemaking required after the date of the enactment of this Act unless the Secretary of Transportation certifies to Congress that there is a significant need to move forward with a new rulemaking. 6. Natural gas integrity management review (a) Report Not later than 18 months after the publication of a final rule regarding the safety of gas transmission pipelines (76 Fed. Reg. 53086), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress regarding the natural gas integrity management program. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an analysis of the extent to which the natural gas integrity management program under section 60109(c) of title 49, United States Code, has improved the safety of natural gas transmission pipelines; (2) an analysis or recommendations, including consideration of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, regarding changes to the program that would prevent inadvertent releases from pipelines and mitigate any adverse consequences of an inadvertent release, including changes to the current definition of high consequence area, or would expand integrity management beyond high consequence areas; (3) a review of the cost effectiveness of the legacy class location regulations; (4) an analysis of and recommendations regarding what impact pipeline features and conditions, including the age, condition, materials, and construction of a pipeline, should have on risk analysis of a particular pipeline; (5) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State regulators in their oversight of the program and how the challenges are being addressed; and (6) a description of any challenges affecting the natural gas industry in complying with the program, and how the challenges are being addressed. (c) Definition of high consequence area In this section and in section 7, the term high consequence area means an area described in section 60109(a) of title 49, United States Code. 7. Hazardous liquid integrity management review (a) Safety study Not later than 18 months after the publication of a final rule regarding the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines (80 Fed. Reg. 61610), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress regarding the hazardous liquid integrity management program. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an analysis of the extent to which liquid pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas for operators of certain hazardous liquid pipeline facilities, as regulated under sections 195.450 and 195.452 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, has improved the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines; (2) recommendations, including consideration of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, regarding changes to the program that could prevent inadvertent releases from pipelines and mitigate any adverse consequences of an inadvertent release, including changes to the current definition of high consequence area; (3) an analysis of how surveying, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring activities, including real-time hazardous liquid pipeline monitoring during significant flood events and information sharing with other Federal agencies, are being used to address risks associated with the dynamic and unique nature of rivers, flood plains, and lakes; (4) an analysis of and recommendations regarding what impact pipeline features and conditions, including the age, condition, materials, and construction of a pipeline, should have on risk analysis of a particular pipeline and what changes to the definition of high consequence area could be made to improve pipeline safety; and (5) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State regulators in their oversight of the program and how the challenges are being addressed. 8. Technical safety standards committees Section 60115(b)(4)(A) 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 governors when making a selection under this subparagraph. 9. Inspection report information (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the completion of a pipeline safety inspection, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or the State authority certified under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, shall— (1) conduct a post-inspection briefing with the operator outlining concerns, and to the extent practicable, provide written preliminary findings of the inspection; or (2) issue to the operator a final report, notice of amendment of plans or procedures, safety order, or corrective action order, or such other applicable report, notice, or order. (b) Report (1) In general The Administrator shall submit an annual report to Congress regarding— (A) the actions that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has taken to ensure that inspections by State authorities provide effective and timely oversight; and (B) statistics relating to the timeliness of the actions described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a). (2) Cessation of effectiveness Paragraph (1) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2019. 10. Pipeline odorization study Not later than 180 days 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 of the House of Representatives that assesses— (1) the feasibility of odorizing all combustible gas in transportation; (2) the impacts of the odorization of all combustible gas in transportation on manufacturers, agriculture, and other end users; and (3) the relative benefits and costs associated with odorizing all combustible gas in transportation compared to using other methods to mitigate pipeline leaks. 11. 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 accidental 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 that could improve existing damage prevention programs through location and mapping practices or technologies in an effort to reduce unintended releases caused by excavation; (2) an analysis of how increased use of GPS 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 that could improve excavation practices or technologies in an effort to reduce pipeline damages; (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 of Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the study under this section, 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 may help prevent accidental excavation damage. 12. Workforce of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (a) Review 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 review of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration staff resource management, including geographic allocation plans, hiring challenges, and expected retirement rates and strategies. The review shall include recommendations to address hiring challenges, training needs, and any other identified staff resource challenges. (b) Critical hiring needs (1) In general Beginning on the date on which the review is submitted under subsection (a), the Administrator may certify to Congress, not less frequently than annually, that a severe shortage of qualified candidates or a critical hiring need exists for a position or group of positions in the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration. (2) Direct hire authority Notwithstanding sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code, the Administrator, after making a certification under paragraph (1), may hire a candidate for the position or candidates for the group of positions, as applicable. (3) Terminations of effectiveness The direct hire authority provided under paragraph (2) shall terminate on September 30, 2019. 13. Research and development (a) In general In developing a research and development program plan under paragraph (3) of section 12(d) of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 ( 49 U.S.C. 60101 note), the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, shall— (1) detail compliance with the consultation requirement under paragraph (2) of such section; (2) provide opportunities for joint research ventures with non-Federal entities, whenever practicable and appropriate, to leverage limited Federal research resources; and (3) permit collaborative research and development projects with appropriate non-Federal organizations. (b) Collaborative safety research report Section 60124(a)(6) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) research activities in collaboration with non-Federal entities, including the intended improvements to safety technology, inspection technology, operator response time, and emergency responder incident response time. . 14. 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 no-fault information sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing with the purpose of improving natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis. (b) Membership The working group described in subsection (a) shall include representatives from— (1) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; (2) industry stakeholders, including operators of pipeline facilities, inspection technology vendors, and pipeline inspection organizations; (3) safety advocacy groups; (4) research institutions; (5) State public utility commissions or State officials responsible for pipeline safety oversight; (6) State pipeline safety inspectors; and (7) labor representatives. (c) Considerations The working group described in subsection (a) shall consider and provide recommendations, if applicable, to the Secretary on— (1) the need for and the identification of a system to ensure that dig verification data is shared with inline 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; and (5) regulatory, funding, and legal barriers to sharing the information described in paragraphs (1) through (4). (d) FACA The working group shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). (e) Publication The Secretary shall publish the recommendations provided under subsection (c) on a publicly available website. 15. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database (a) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to Congress on the feasibility of 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 under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of any efforts currently 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 the sharing of the data; (3) a description of any existing 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 database; and (5) recommendations 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 preparing the report under subsection (a), 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. 16. Underground natural gas storage facilities (a) Defined term Section 60101(a) is amended— (1) in paragraph (21)(B), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (24), by striking and at the end; (3) in paragraph (25), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (27) underground natural gas storage facility means a gas pipeline facility that stores 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 natural gas storage facilities Chapter 601 is amended by inserting after section 60103 the following: 60103A. Standards for underground natural gas storage facilities (a) Minimum uniform safety standards Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the SAFE PIPES Act , the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall issue minimum uniform safety standards, incorporating, to the extent practicable, consensus standards for the operation, environmental protection, and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities. (b) Considerations In developing uniform safety standards under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) consider the economic impacts of the regulations on individual gas customers to the extent practicable; (2) ensure that the regulations do not have a significant economic impact on end users to the extent practicable; and (3) consider existing consensus standards. (c) User fees (1) In general A fee shall be imposed on an entity operating an underground natural gas storage facility to which this section applies. Any such fee imposed shall be collected before the end of the fiscal year to which it applies. (2) Means of collection The Secretary shall prescribe procedures to collect fees under this subsection. 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. (3) Use of fees (A) Account There is established an underground natural gas storage facility safety account in the Pipeline Safety Fund established under section 60301, in the Treasury of the United States. (B) Use of fees A fee collected under this subsection— (i) shall be deposited in the underground natural gas storage facility safety account; and (ii) if the fee is related to an underground natural gas storage facility, may be used only for an activity related to underground natural gas storage safety under this section. (C) Limitation Amounts collected under this subsection shall be made available only to the extent provided in advance in an appropriation law for an activity related to underground natural gas storage safety. (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 SAFE PIPES Act . (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). . (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 601 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 60103 the following: 60103A. Standards for underground natural gas storage facilities. . 17. Joint inspection and oversight To ensure the safety of pipeline transportation, the Secretary of Transportation shall coordinate with States to ensure safety through the following: (1) At the request of a State authority, the Secretary shall allow for a certified state authority under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipeline facility. (2) Where appropriate, may provide temporary authority for a certified State authority under that section to participate in oversight of interstate pipeline safety transportation to ensure proper safety oversight and prevent an adverse impact on public safety. 18. Response plans In preparing or reviewing a response plan under part 194 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and an operator shall each consider, to the maximum extent practicable, the impact of a worse case discharge of oil, or the substantial threat of such a discharge, into or on any navigable waters or adjoining shorelines that may be covered in whole or in part by ice. 19. High consequence areas The Secretary of Transportation shall revise section 195.6(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations to explicitly state that the Great Lakes are a USA ecological resource (as defined in section 195.6(b) of that title) for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area (as defined in section 195.450 of that title). 20. Surface transportation security review Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress on the staffing, resource allocation, oversight strategy, and management of the Transportation Security Administration’s pipeline security program and other surface transportation programs. The report shall include information on the coordination between the Transportation Security Administration, other Federal stakeholders, and industry. 21. Small scale liquefied natural gas facilities (a) Defined term Section 60101(a), as amended by section 16, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (25) the following: (26) small scale liquefied natural gas facility means an intrastate liquefied natural gas facility (other than a peak shaving facility) that produces liquefied natural gas for— (A) use as a fuel in the United States; or (B) transportation in the United States by a means other than a pipeline facility; and . (b) Siting standards for small scale liquefied natural gas facilities Section 60103(a) is amended to read as follows: (a) Location standards (1) In general The Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe minimum safety standards for deciding on the location of a new liquefied natural gas pipeline facility or small scale liquefied natural gas facility. (2) Liquefied natural gas facilities In prescribing a minimum safety standard for deciding on the location of a new liquefied natural gas facility, the Secretary of Transportation shall consider— (A) the kind and use of the facility; (B) the existing and projected population and demographic characteristics of the location; (C) the existing and proposed land uses near the location; (D) the natural physical aspects of the location; (E) medical, law enforcement, and fire prevention capabilities near the location that can cope with a risk caused by the facility; and (F) the need to encourage remote siting. (3) Small scale liquefied natural gas facilities (A) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of the SAFE PIPES Act , the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe minimum safety standards for small scale liquefied natural gas facilities. (B) Considerations In prescribing minimum safety standards under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider— (i) the value of establishing risk-based approaches; (ii) the benefit of incorporating industry standards and best practices; (iii) the need to encourage the use of best available technology; and (iv) the factors prescribed in paragraph (2), as appropriate. . 22. 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. (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 or safety of systems, the Administrator shall, not later than 180 days after making such determination, issue regulations, as the Administrator determines appropriate, to implement the recommendations. 23. Comptroller General review of State policies relating to natural gas leaks (a) Review The Comptroller General of the United States 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) that 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 Comptroller General shall submit to Congress and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration a report summarizing the findings of the review conducted under subsection (a) and making recommendations on Federal or State policies or best practices that may improve safety by accelerating the repair and replacement of natural gas pipelines or systems that are leaking or releasing natural gas, including policies within the jurisdiction of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The report shall consider the potential impact, including potential savings, of the implementation of its recommendations on ratepayers or end users of the natural gas pipeline system. (c) Consideration of recommendations If the Comptroller General makes recommendations in the report submitted under subsection (a) on Federal or State policies or best practices within the jurisdiction of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Administrator shall, not later than 90 days after such submission, review such recommendations and report to Congress on the feasibility of implementing such recommendations. If the Administrator determines that the recommendations would significantly improve pipeline safety, the Administrator shall, not later than 180 days 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. 24. Provision of pipeline oil spill response plans to congressional committees (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall, upon request of the Chairman or Ranking Member of an appropriate congressional committee, provide to such committee full and unredacted copies of oil spill response plans. (b) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. 25. Consultation with FERC as part of pre-filing procedures and permitting process for new natural gas pipeline infrastructure The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall consult with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during its pre-filing procedures and permitting process for new natural gas pipeline infrastructure to ensure the protection of people and the environment from the risks of hazardous materials transportation.

February 24, 2016 Reported with an amendment

tv_txt: 114th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2276 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in pipeline transportation, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents; references (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Securing America’s Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act or the SAFE PIPES Act . (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; references. Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 3. Regulatory updates. Sec. 4. Hazardous materials identification numbers. Sec. 5. Statutory preference. Sec. 6. Natural gas integrity management review. Sec. 7. Hazardous liquid integrity management review. Sec. 8. Technical safety standards committees. Sec. 9. Inspection report information. Sec. 10. Pipeline odorization study. Sec. 11. Improving damage prevention technology. Sec. 12. Workforce of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Sec. 13. Research and development. Sec. 14. Information sharing system. Sec. 15. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database. Sec. 16. Underground natural gas storage facilities. Sec. 17. Joint inspection and oversight. Sec. 18. Response plans. Sec. 19. High consequence areas. Sec. 20. Surface transportation security review. Sec. 21. Small scale liquefied natural gas facilities. Sec. 22. Report on natural gas leak reporting. Sec. 23. Comptroller General review of State policies relating to natural gas leaks. Sec. 24. Provision of response plans to appropriate committees of Congress. Sec. 25. Consultation with FERC as part of pre-filing procedures and permitting process for new natural gas pipeline infrastructure. Sec. 26. Maintenance of effort. Sec. 27. Aliso Canyon natural gas leak task force. (c) References to title 49, United States Code Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 49, United States Code. 2. Authorization of appropriations (a) Gas and hazardous liquid Section 60125(a) 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 out such section 12 and $ 36,194,000 is for making grants. and inserting the following: “there are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation from fees collected under section 60301— (A) $127,060,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which $9,325,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $42,515,000 shall be expended for making grants; (B) $129,671,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $9,418,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $42,941,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C) $132,334,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $9,512,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $43,371,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (D) $135,051,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $9,607,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $43,805,000 shall be expended for making grants. ; and (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 are 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) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016, of which $3,108,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,708,000 shall be expended for making grants; (B) $20,288,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $3,139,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,795,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C) $20,694,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $3,171,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,883,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (D) $21,108,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $3,203,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,972,000 shall be expended for making grants. . (b) Emergency response grants Section 60125(b)(2) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (c) One-call notification programs Section 6107 is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 and inserting $1,060,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2019 ; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (d) State damage prevention programs Section 60134(i) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (e) Community pipeline safety information grants Section 60130(c) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2016 through 2019 . (f) 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 . 3. Regulatory updates (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until a final rule has been issued for each of the requirements described under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the Secretary of Transportation shall publish an update on a public website regarding the status of a final rule for— (1) regulations required under the Pipeline Safety Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act of 2011 ( Public Law 112–90 ; 125 Stat. 1904) for which no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued; (2) any regulation relating to pipeline safety required by law, other than a regulation described under paragraph (1), for which for more than 2 years after the date of the enacting statute or statutory deadline no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued; and (3) any other pipeline safety rulemaking categorized as significant. (b) Contents Each report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of the work plan for the outstanding regulation; (2) an updated rulemaking timeline for the outstanding regulation; (3) current staff allocations; (4) any other information collection request with substantial changes; (5) current data collection or research relating to the development of the rulemaking; (6) current collaborative efforts with safety experts and other stakeholders; (7) any resource constraints impacting the rulemaking process for the outstanding regulation; and (8) any other details associated with the development of the rulemaking that impact the progress of the rulemaking. 4. Hazardous materials identification numbers The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall— (1) rescind the implementation of the June 26, 2015 PHMSA interpretative letter (#14–0178); and (2) reinstate paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 172.336(c) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, without the reference to gasohol , as was originally intended in the March 7, 2013 final rule (PHMSA–2011–0142). 5. Statutory preference The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall prioritize the use of Office of Pipeline Safety resources for the development of each outstanding pipeline safety statutory requirement, including requirements for rulemakings and information collection requests, for a rulemaking described in a report under section 3 before beginning any new rulemaking required after the date of the enactment of this Act unless the Secretary of Transportation certifies to Congress that there is a significant need to move forward with a new rulemaking. 6. Natural gas integrity management review (a) Report Not later than 18 months after the publication of a final rule regarding the safety of gas transmission pipelines (76 Fed. Reg. 53086), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress regarding the natural gas integrity management program. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an analysis of the extent to which the natural gas integrity management program under section 60109(c) of title 49, United States Code, has improved the safety of natural gas transmission pipelines; (2) an analysis or recommendations, including consideration of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, regarding changes to the program that would prevent inadvertent releases from pipelines and mitigate any adverse consequences of an inadvertent release, including changes to the current definition of high consequence area, or would expand integrity management beyond high consequence areas; (3) a review of the cost effectiveness of the legacy class location regulations; (4) an analysis of and recommendations regarding what impact pipeline features and conditions, including the age, condition, materials, and construction of a pipeline, should have on risk analysis of a particular pipeline; (5) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State regulators in their oversight of the program and how the challenges are being addressed; and (6) a description of any challenges affecting the natural gas industry in complying with the program, and how the challenges are being addressed. (c) Definition of high consequence area In this section and in section 7, the term high consequence area means an area described in section 60109(a) of title 49, United States Code. 7. Hazardous liquid integrity management review (a) Safety study Not later than 18 months after the publication of a final rule regarding the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines (80 Fed. Reg. 61610), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress regarding the hazardous liquid integrity management program. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) an analysis of the extent to which liquid pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas for operators of certain hazardous liquid pipeline facilities, as regulated under sections 195.450 and 195.452 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, has improved the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines; (2) recommendations, including consideration of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, regarding changes to the program that could prevent inadvertent releases from pipelines and mitigate any adverse consequences of an inadvertent release, including changes to the current definition of high consequence area; (3) an analysis of how surveying, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring activities, including real-time hazardous liquid pipeline monitoring during significant flood events and information sharing with other Federal agencies, are being used to address risks associated with the dynamic and unique nature of rivers, flood plains, and lakes; (4) an analysis of and recommendations regarding what impact pipeline features and conditions, including the age, condition, materials, and construction of a pipeline, should have on risk analysis of a particular pipeline and what changes to the definition of high consequence area could be made to improve pipeline safety; and (5) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State regulators in their oversight of the program and how the challenges are being addressed. 8. Technical safety standards committees Section 60115(b)(4)(A) 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 governors when making a selection under this subparagraph. 9. Inspection report information (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the completion of a pipeline safety inspection, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or the State authority certified under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, shall— (1) conduct a post-inspection briefing with the operator outlining concerns, and to the extent practicable, provide written preliminary findings of the inspection; or (2) issue to the operator a final report, notice of amendment of plans or procedures, safety order, or corrective action order, or such other applicable report, notice, or order. (b) Report (1) In general The Administrator shall submit an annual report to Congress regarding— (A) the actions that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has taken to ensure that inspections by State authorities provide effective and timely oversight; and (B) statistics relating to the timeliness of the actions described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a). (2) Cessation of effectiveness Paragraph (1) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2019. 10. Pipeline odorization study Not later than 180 days 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 of the House of Representatives that assesses— (1) the feasibility of odorizing all combustible gas in transportation; (2) the impacts of the odorization of all combustible gas in transportation on manufacturers, agriculture, and other end users; and (3) the relative benefits and costs associated with odorizing all combustible gas in transportation, including impacts on health and safety, compared to using other methods to mitigate pipeline leaks. 11. 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 accidental 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 that could improve existing damage prevention programs through location and mapping practices or technologies in an effort to reduce unintended releases caused by excavation; (2) an analysis of how increased use of GPS 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 that could improve excavation practices or technologies in an effort to reduce pipeline damages; (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 of Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the study under this section, 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 may help prevent accidental excavation damage. 12. Workforce of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (a) Review 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 review of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration staff resource management, including geographic allocation plans, hiring challenges, and expected retirement rates and strategies. The review shall include recommendations to address hiring challenges, training needs, and any other identified staff resource challenges. (b) Critical hiring needs (1) In general Beginning on the date on which the review is submitted under subsection (a), the Administrator may certify to Congress, not less frequently than annually, that a severe shortage of qualified candidates or a critical hiring need exists for a position or group of positions in the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration. (2) Direct hire authority Notwithstanding sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code, the Administrator, after making a certification under paragraph (1), may hire a candidate for the position or candidates for the group of positions indicated in the certification, as applicable. (3) Terminations of effectiveness The direct hire authority provided under paragraph (2) shall terminate on September 30, 2019. 13. Research and development (a) In general In developing a research and development program plan under paragraph (3) of section 12(d) of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 ( 49 U.S.C. 60101 note), the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, shall— (1) detail compliance with the consultation requirement under paragraph (2) of such section; (2) provide opportunities for joint research ventures with non-Federal entities, whenever practicable and appropriate, to leverage limited Federal research resources; and (3) permit collaborative research and development projects with appropriate non-Federal organizations. (b) Collaborative safety research report Section 60124(a)(6) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) research activities in collaboration with non-Federal entities, including the intended improvements to safety technology, inspection technology, operator response time, and emergency responder incident response time. . 14. 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 no-fault information sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing with the purpose of improving natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis. (b) Membership The working group described in subsection (a) shall include representatives from— (1) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; (2) industry stakeholders, including operators of pipeline facilities, inspection technology vendors, and pipeline inspection organizations; (3) safety advocacy groups; (4) research institutions; (5) State public utility commissions or State officials responsible for pipeline safety oversight; (6) State pipeline safety inspectors; and (7) labor representatives. (c) Considerations The working group described in subsection (a) shall consider and provide recommendations, if applicable, to the Secretary on— (1) the need for and the identification of a system to ensure that dig verification data is shared with inline 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; and (5) regulatory, funding, and legal barriers to sharing the information described in paragraphs (1) through (4). (d) FACA The working group shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). (e) Publication The Secretary shall publish the recommendations provided under subsection (c) on a publicly available website. 15. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database (a) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to Congress on the feasibility of 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 under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of any efforts currently 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 the sharing of the data; (3) a description of any existing 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 database; and (5) recommendations 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 preparing the report under subsection (a), 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. 16. Underground natural gas storage facilities (a) Defined term Section 60101(a) is amended— (1) in paragraph (21)(B), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (24), by striking and at the end; (3) in paragraph (25), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (27) underground natural gas storage facility means a gas pipeline facility that stores 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 natural gas storage facilities Chapter 601 is amended by inserting after section 60103 the following: 60103A. Standards for underground natural gas storage facilities (a) Minimum uniform safety standards Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the SAFE PIPES Act , the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall issue minimum uniform safety standards, incorporating, to the extent practicable, consensus standards for the operation, environmental protection, and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities. (b) Considerations In developing uniform safety standards under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) consider the economic impacts of the regulations on individual gas customers to the extent practicable; (2) ensure that the regulations do not have a significant economic impact on end users to the extent practicable; (3) consider existing consensus standards; and (4) consider the recommendations of the Aliso Canyon Task Force under section 27 of the Securing America’s Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act . (c) User fees (1) In general A fee shall be imposed on an entity operating an underground natural gas storage facility to which this section applies. Any such fee imposed shall be collected before the end of the fiscal year to which it applies. (2) Means of collection The Secretary shall prescribe procedures to collect fees under this subsection. 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. (3) Use of fees (A) Account There is established an underground natural gas storage facility safety account in the Pipeline Safety Fund established under section 60301, in the Treasury of the United States. (B) Use of fees A fee collected under this subsection— (i) shall be deposited in the underground natural gas storage facility safety account; and (ii) if the fee is related to an underground natural gas storage facility, may be used only for an activity related to underground natural gas storage safety under this section. (C) Limitation Amounts collected under this subsection shall be made available only to the extent provided in advance in an appropriation law for an activity related to underground natural gas storage safety. (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 SAFE PIPES Act . (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). . (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 601 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 60103 the following: 60103A. Standards for underground natural gas storage facilities. . 17. Joint inspection and oversight To ensure the safety of pipeline transportation, the Secretary of Transportation shall coordinate with States to ensure safety through the following: (1) At the request of a State authority, the Secretary shall allow for a certified state authority under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipeline facility. (2) Where appropriate, may provide temporary authority for a certified State authority under that section to participate in oversight of interstate pipeline safety transportation to ensure proper safety oversight and prevent an adverse impact on public safety. 18. Response plans In preparing or reviewing a response plan under part 194 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and an operator shall each address, to the maximum extent practicable, the impact of a worse case discharge of oil, or the substantial threat of such a discharge, into or on any navigable waters or adjoining shorelines that may be covered in whole or in part by ice. 19. High consequence areas The Secretary of Transportation shall revise section 195.6(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations to explicitly state that the Great Lakes are a USA ecological resource (as defined in section 195.6(b) of that title) for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area (as defined in section 195.450 of that title). 20. Surface transportation security review Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress on the staffing, resource allocation, oversight strategy, and management of the Transportation Security Administration’s pipeline security program and other surface transportation programs. The report shall include information on the coordination between the Transportation Security Administration, other Federal stakeholders, and industry. 21. Small scale liquefied natural gas facilities (a) Defined term Section 60101(a), as amended by section 16, is further amended by inserting after paragraph (25) the following: (26) small scale liquefied natural gas facility means a permanent intrastate liquefied natural gas facility (other than a peak shaving facility) that produces liquefied natural gas for— (A) use as a fuel in the United States; or (B) transportation in the United States by a means other than a pipeline facility; and . (b) Siting standards for permanent small scale liquefied natural gas facilities Section 60103(a) is amended to read as follows: (a) Location standards (1) In general The Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe minimum safety standards for deciding on the permanent location of a new liquefied natural gas pipeline facility or small scale liquefied natural gas facility. (2) Liquefied natural gas facilities In prescribing a minimum safety standard for deciding on the permanent location of a new liquefied natural gas facility, the Secretary of Transportation shall consider— (A) the kind and use of the facility; (B) the existing and projected population and demographic characteristics of the location; (C) the existing and proposed land uses near the location; (D) the natural physical aspects of the location; (E) medical, law enforcement, and fire prevention capabilities near the location that can cope with a risk caused by the facility; and (F) the need to encourage remote siting. (3) Small scale liquefied natural gas facilities (A) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of the SAFE PIPES Act , the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe minimum safety standards for permanent small scale liquefied natural gas facilities. (B) Considerations In prescribing minimum safety standards under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider— (i) the value of establishing risk-based approaches; (ii) the benefit of incorporating industry standards and best practices; (iii) the need to encourage the use of best available technology; and (iv) the factors prescribed in paragraph (2), as appropriate. . 22. 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. (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 or safety of systems, the Administrator shall, not later than 180 days after making such determination, issue regulations, as the Administrator determines appropriate, to implement the recommendations. 23. Comptroller General review of State policies relating to natural gas leaks (a) Review The Comptroller General of the United States 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) that 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 Comptroller General shall submit to Congress and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration a report summarizing the findings of the review conducted under subsection (a) and making recommendations on Federal or State policies or best practices that may improve safety by accelerating the repair and replacement of natural gas pipelines or systems that are leaking or releasing natural gas, including policies within the jurisdiction of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The report shall consider the potential impact, including potential savings, of the implementation of its recommendations on ratepayers or end users of the natural gas pipeline system. (c) Consideration of recommendations If the Comptroller General makes recommendations in the report submitted under subsection (a) on Federal or State policies or best practices within the jurisdiction of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Administrator shall, not later than 90 days after such submission, review such recommendations and report to Congress on the feasibility of implementing such recommendations. If the Administrator determines that the recommendations would significantly improve pipeline safety, the Administrator shall, not later than 180 days 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. 24. Provision of response plans to appropriate committees of Congress (a) Provision of plans (1) In general Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2) of section 60138 of title 49, United States Code, and subject to paragraph (2), upon the request of the Chairperson or Ranking Member of an appropriate committee of Congress, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall provide the Chairperson or Ranking Member, as applicable, a uniquely identifiable, unredacted copy of an oil response plan under that section. (2) Protection of information Any information subject to exclusion under section 60138(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, that is provided under paragraph (1) shall be afforded appropriate protection against unauthorized public disclosure, consistent with the rules and practices related to the protection of confidential information received by Congress. (b) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the provision of any other report, data, or other information to Congress, or its handling thereof. 25. Consultation with FERC as part of pre-filing procedures and permitting process for new natural gas pipeline infrastructure Where appropriate, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall consult with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during its pre-filing procedures and permitting process for new natural gas pipeline infrastructure to ensure the protection of people and the environment from the potential risks of hazardous materials transportation by pipeline. 26. Maintenance of effort Section 60107(b) is amended to read as follows: (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 remaining costs of a safety program, except when the Secretary waives this requirement. . 27. 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 Task Force (referred to in this section as the task force ). (b) Membership of task force In addition to the Secretary, the task force shall be composed of— (1) 1 representative from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; (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; and (6) 1 representative from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the task force 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, at a minimum— (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 health, safety, the environment, and the economy of the residents and property surrounding Aliso Canyon, on wholesale and retail electricity prices, and on 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 natural gas leaks from underground 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 on whether to continue operations at Aliso Canyon and other underground storage facilities in close proximity to residential populations based on an assessment of the risk of a future natural gas leak; and (I) a recommendation 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. (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 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). (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary.

Passed the Senate March 3, 2016. Secretary

tv_txt: One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America 2d Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen S. 2276 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in pipeline transportation, and for other purposes.

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. 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 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. (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 . 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). (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. 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. 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), 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. 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. . 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: (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. 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 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. 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). 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; (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 safety- and 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. 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; (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). 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— (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 (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. . 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. . 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. 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). 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 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. . 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 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. . 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. 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). 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. 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. 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 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 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. . 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. 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. . 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 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. . 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. 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; (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. 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. 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. (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. 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. 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; (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; (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).

Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate

tv_txt: 114th CONGRESS 2d Session In the House of Representatives, U. S., June 8, 2016 AMENDMENT:

That the bill from the Senate (S. 2276) entitled An Act to amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in pipeline transportation, and for other purposes. , do pass with the following Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: 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. 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 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. (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 . 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). (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. 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. 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), 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. 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. . 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: (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. 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 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. 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). 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; (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 safety- and 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. 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; (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). 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— (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 (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. . 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. . 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. 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). 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 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. . 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 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. . 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. 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). 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. 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. 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 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 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. . 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. 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. . 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 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. . 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. 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; (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. 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. 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. (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. 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. 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; (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; (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).

Karen L. Haas Clerk.