Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016
PL 114-183 (S.2276), enacted 06/22/2016

130 STAT. 514 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
Public Law 114–183 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in pipeline 
transportation, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protecting 
our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016’’ 
or the ‘‘PIPES Act of 2016’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 3. Regulatory updates. 
Sec. 4. Natural gas integrity management review. 
Sec. 5. Hazardous liquid integrity management review. 
Sec. 6. Technical safety standards committees. 
Sec. 7. Inspection report information. 
Sec. 8. Improving damage prevention technology. 
Sec. 9. Workforce management. 
Sec. 10. Information-sharing system. 
Sec. 11. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database. 
Sec. 12. Underground gas storage facilities. 
Sec. 13. Joint inspection and oversight. 
Sec. 14. Safety data sheets. 
Sec. 15. Hazardous materials identification numbers. 
Sec. 16. Emergency order authority. 
Sec. 17. State grant funds. 
Sec. 18. Response plans. 
Sec. 19. Unusually sensitive areas. 
Sec. 20. Pipeline safety technical assistance grants. 
Sec. 21. Study of materials and corrosion prevention in pipeline transportation. 
Sec. 22. Research and development. 
Sec. 23. Active and abandoned pipelines. 
Sec. 24. State pipeline safety agreements. 
Sec. 25. Requirements for certain hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. 
Sec. 26. Study on propane gas pipeline facilities. 
Sec. 27. Standards for certain liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities. 
Sec. 28. Pipeline odorization study. 
Sec. 29. Report on natural gas leak reporting. 
Sec. 30. Review of State policies relating to natural gas leaks. 
Sec. 31. Aliso Canyon natural gas leak task force. 
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) GAS AND HAZARDOUS LIQUID.—Section 60125(a) of title 49, 
United States Code is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘there is authorized to 
be appropriated to the Department of Transportation for each 
of fiscal years 2012 through 2015, from fees collected under 
section 60301, $90,679,000, of which $4,746,000 is for carrying 
Protecting our 
Infrastructure of 
Pipelines and 
Enhancing Safety 
Act of 2016. 
49 USC 60101 
note. 
June 22, 2016 
[S. 2276] 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00512
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 515 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
out such section 12 and $36,194,000 is for making grants.’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘there is authorized to be appro-
priated 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 provi-
sions 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 Improve-
ment 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 appro-
priated to the Secretary of Transportation for the necessary oper-
ational 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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00513
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 516 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
(4) $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2019. 
(c) ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6107 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 6107. Funding 
‘‘Of the amounts made available under section 60125(a)(1), 
the Secretary shall expend $1,058,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 
through 2019 to carry out section 6106.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 61 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the 
item relating to section 6107 and inserting the following: 
‘‘6107. Funding.’’. 
(d) PIPELINE SAFETY INFORMATION GRANTS TO COMMUNITIES.— 
The first sentence of section 60130(c) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: ‘‘Of the amounts made available 
under section 2(b) of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary shall 
expend $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019 to 
carry out this section.’’. 
(e) PIPELINE INTEGRITY PROGRAM.—Section 12(f) of the Pipeline 
Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2012 through 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘2016 through 2019’’. 
SEC. 3. REGULATORY UPDATES. 
(a) PUBLICATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation shall 
publish an update on a publicly available Web site of the 
Department of Transportation regarding the status of a final 
rule for each outstanding regulation, and upon such publication 
notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce 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 out-
standing 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 haz-
ardous liquid pipeline facilities published in the Federal Reg-
ister that are not identified under subsection (c). 
Federal Register, 
publication. 
Web posting. 
Notification. 
49 USC 
prec. 6101. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00514
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 517 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
(c) OUTSTANDING REGULATION DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘outstanding regulation’’ means— 
(1) a final rule required under the Pipeline Safety, Regu-
latory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (Public Law 
112–90) that has not been published in the Federal Register; 
and 
(2) a final rule regarding gas or hazardous liquid pipeline 
facilities required under this Act or an Act enacted prior to 
the date of enactment of this Act (other than the Pipeline 
Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 
(Public Law 112–90)) that has not been published in the Federal 
Register. 
SEC. 4. NATURAL GAS INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT REVIEW. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of publica-
tion 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 Com-
mittee 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 inad-
vertent 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 bene-
fits, 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 par-
ticular pipeline facility; 
(4) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or 
State regulators in the oversight of gas transmission pipeline 
facilities and how the challenges are being addressed; and 
(5) a description of any challenges affecting the natural 
gas industry in complying with the programs, and how the 
challenges are being addressed, including any challenges faced 
by publicly owned natural gas distribution systems. 
(c) DEFINITION OF HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREA.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘high consequence area’’ has the meaning given the term 
in section 192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 5. HAZARDOUS LIQUID INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT REVIEW. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of publica-
tion in the Federal Register of a final rule regarding the safety 
of hazardous liquid pipeline facilities related to the notice of pro-
posed rulemaking issued on October 13, 2015, titled ‘‘Pipeline 
Safety: Safety of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines’’ (80 Fed. Reg. 61610), 
Analysis. 
Review. 
Analysis. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00515
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 518 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Com-
mittee 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 inspec-
tions 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 par-
ticular pipeline facility and what changes to the definition 
of high consequence area could be made to improve pipeline 
facility safety; and 
(4) a description of any challenges affecting Federal or 
State regulators in the oversight of hazardous liquid pipeline 
facilities and how those challenges are being addressed. 
(c) DEFINITION OF HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREA.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘high consequence area’’ has the meaning given the term 
in section 195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 6. TECHNICAL SAFETY STANDARDS COMMITTEES. 
(a) APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS.—Section 60115(b)(4)(A) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘State commis-
sioners. 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 com-
mittee established pursuant to this section. After that period, the 
Secretary shall fill a vacancy on any such committee not later 
than 60 days after the vacancy occurs.’’. 
SEC. 7. INSPECTION REPORT INFORMATION. 
(a) INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE.—Section 60108 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
Deadlines. 
Consultation. 
Analysis. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00516
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 519 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
‘‘(e) IN GENERAL.—After the completion of a Pipeline and Haz-
ardous 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 Com-
mittee 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 dead-
line was exceeded. 
SEC. 8. IMPROVING DAMAGE PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation 
with stakeholders, shall conduct a study on improving existing 
damage prevention programs through technological improvements 
in location, mapping, excavation, and communications practices to 
prevent excavation damage to a pipe or its coating, including consid-
erations 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 preven-
tion 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 reposi-
tory for pipeline excavation accident data that creates standard-
ized data models for storing and sharing pipeline accident 
information; and 
(5) an identification of opportunities for stakeholder engage-
ment in preventing excavation damage. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment 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 Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives 
Analysis. 
Analysis. 
Consultation. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00517
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 520 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
a report containing the results of the study conducted under sub-
section (a), including recommendations, that include the consider-
ation of technical, operational, and economic feasibility, on how 
to incorporate into existing damage prevention programs techno-
logical improvements and practices that help prevent excavation 
damage. 
SEC. 9. WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT. 
(a) REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment 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 Haz-
ardous 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 Manage-
ment for the authority described in subsection (b) prior to the 
completion of the report required under subsection (a). 
SEC. 10. INFORMATION-SHARING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
convene a working group to consider the development of a voluntary 
information-sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to 
improve inspection information feedback and information sharing 
with the purpose of improving gas transmission and hazardous 
liquid pipeline facility integrity risk analysis. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The working group convened pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall include representatives from— 
(1) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Adminis-
tration; 
(2) industry stakeholders, including operators of pipeline 
facilities, inspection technology, coating, and cathodic protection 
vendors, and pipeline inspection organizations; 
(3) safety advocacy groups; 
(4) research institutions; 
49 USC 60108 
note. 
Deadline. 
Establishment. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Plans. 
Deadline. 
49 USC 108 note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00518
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 521 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
(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 Sec-
retary. 
(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 inspec-
tion operators to the extent consistent with the need to main-
tain 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 inspec-
tion 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 tech-
nology and methodologies; 
(4) options to create a secure system that protects propri-
etary data while encouraging the exchange of pipeline inspec-
tion 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 rec-
ommendations provided under subsection (c) on a publicly available 
Web site of the Department of Transportation. 
SEC. 11. NATIONWIDE INTEGRATED PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATORY 
DATABASE. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Com-
mittee 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 Haz-
ardous Materials Safety Administration and State pipeline regu-
lators. 
(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 sub-
section (a); 
(2) a description of any progress in establishing common 
standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting pipeline 
safety regulatory inspection data, and a methodology for 
sharing the data; 
49 USC 60108 
note. 
Web posting. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00519
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 522 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
(3) a description of any inadequacies or gaps in State 
and Federal inspection, enforcement, geospatial, or other pipe-
line safety regulatory inspection data; 
(4) a description of the potential safety benefits of a 
national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection data-
base; 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 oper-
ating under a certification to regulate intrastate pipelines under 
section 60105 of title 49, United States Code. 
(d) ESTABLISHMENT OF DATABASE.—The Secretary may estab-
lish, 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 Com-
merce of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of 
the need to establish such database prior to the submission 
of the report under subsection (a). 
SEC. 12. UNDERGROUND GAS STORAGE FACILITIES. 
(a) DEFINED TERM.—Section 60101(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (21)(B) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (22)(B)(iii) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; 
(3) in paragraph (24) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(4) in paragraph (25) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(26) ‘underground natural gas storage facility’ means a 
gas pipeline facility that stores natural gas in an underground 
facility, including— 
‘‘(A) a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir; 
‘‘(B) an aquifer reservoir; or 
‘‘(C) a solution-mined salt cavern reservoir.’’. 
(b) STANDARDS FOR UNDERGROUND GAS STORAGE FACILITIES.— 
Chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 60141. Standards for underground natural gas storage 
facilities 
‘‘(a) MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary, 
in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, 
shall issue minimum safety standards for underground natural 
gas storage facilities. 
‘‘(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the safety standards 
required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, to the extent 
practicable— 
Deadline. 
Consultation. 
49 USC 60141. 
Notification. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00520
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 523 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
‘‘(1) consider consensus standards for the operation, 
environmental protection, and integrity management of under-
ground 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 con-
strued 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 Nat-
ural Gas Storage Facility Safety Account in the Pipeline Safety 
Fund established in the Treasury of the United States under 
section 60301. 
‘‘(2) USE OF FEES.—A fee collected under this section— 
‘‘(A) shall be deposited in the Underground Natural 
Gas Storage Facility Safety Account; and 
Procedures. 
49 USC 60302. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00521
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 524 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
‘‘(B) if the fee is related to an underground natural 
gas storage facility subject to section 60141, the amount 
of the fee may be used only for an activity related to 
underground natural gas storage facility safety. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—No fee may be collected under this sec-
tion, except to the extent that the expenditure of such fee 
to pay the costs of an activity related to underground natural 
gas storage facility safety for which such fee is imposed is 
provided in advance in an appropriations Act.’’. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) CHAPTER 601.—The table of sections for chapter 601 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘60141. Standards for underground natural gas storage facilities.’’. 
(2) CHAPTER 603.—The table of sections for chapter 603 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 60301 the following: 
‘‘60302. User fees for underground natural gas storage facilities.’’. 
SEC. 13. JOINT INSPECTION AND OVERSIGHT. 
Section 60106 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) JOINT INSPECTORS.—At the request of a State authority, 
the Secretary shall allow for a certified State authority under 
section 60105 to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipe-
line facility.’’. 
SEC. 14. SAFETY DATA SHEETS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Each owner or operator of a hazardous liquid 
pipeline facility, following an accident involving such pipeline 
facility that results in a hazardous liquid spill, shall provide safety 
data sheets on any spilled hazardous liquid to the designated Fed-
eral On-Scene Coordinator and appropriate State and local emer-
gency responders within 6 hours of a telephonic or electronic notice 
of the accident to the National Response Center. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) FEDERAL ON-SCENE COORDINATOR.—The term ‘‘Federal 
On-Scene Coordinator’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 311(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
U.S.C. 1321(a)). 
(2) NATIONAL
RESPONSE
CENTER.—The term ‘‘National 
Response Center’’ means the center described under section 
300.125(a) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(3) SAFETY
DATA
SHEET.—The term ‘‘safety data sheet’’ 
means a safety data sheet required under section 1910.1200 
of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 15. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue an advanced notice 
of proposed rulemaking to take public comment on the petition 
for rulemaking dated October 28, 2015, titled ‘‘Corrections to Title 
49 CFR 172.336 Identification numbers; special provisions’’ (P– 
1667). 
Deadline. 
Regulations. 
Public 
information. 
49 USC 60117 
note. 
Deadline. 
49 USC 
prec. 60103. 
49 USC 
prec. 60101. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00522
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 525 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
SEC. 16. EMERGENCY ORDER AUTHORITY. 
Section 60117 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(o) EMERGENCY ORDER AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—If the Secretary determines that an 
unsafe condition or practice, or a combination of unsafe condi-
tions 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 haz-
ardous liquid pipeline facilities without prior notice or an oppor-
tunity 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 appro-
priate, 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 secu-
rity. 
‘‘(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 cus-
tomers. 
‘‘(B) CONSULTATION.—In considering the factors under 
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult, as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate, with appropriate Federal 
agencies, State agencies, and other entities knowledgeable 
in pipeline safety or operations. 
‘‘(3) WRITTEN ORDER.—An emergency order issued by the 
Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) with respect to an 
imminent hazard shall contain a written description of— 
‘‘(A) the violation, condition, or practice that constitutes 
or is causing the imminent hazard; 
‘‘(B) the entities subject to the order; 
‘‘(C) the restrictions, prohibitions, or safety measures 
imposed; 
‘‘(D) the standards and procedures for obtaining relief 
from the order; 
‘‘(E) how the order is tailored to abate the imminent 
hazard and the reasons the authorities under section 60112 
and 60117(l) are insufficient to do so; and 
‘‘(F) how the considerations were taken into account 
pursuant to paragraph (2). 
‘‘(4) OPPORTUNITY FOR REVIEW.—Upon receipt of a petition 
for review from an entity subject to, and aggrieved by, an 
emergency order issued under this subsection, the Secretary 
shall provide an opportunity for a review of the order under 
section 554 of title 5 to determine whether the order should 
remain in effect, be modified, or be terminated. 
‘‘(5) EXPIRATION OF EFFECTIVENESS ORDER.—If a petition 
for review of an emergency order is filed under paragraph 
(4) and an agency decision with respect to the petition is not 
issued on or before the last day of the 30-day period beginning 
on the date on which the petition is filed, the order shall 
Time period. 
Determination. 
Determination. 
Determination. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00523
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 526 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
cease to be effective on such day, unless the Secretary deter-
mines 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 para-
graph (5), an entity subject to, and aggrieved by, an emer-
gency 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 sub-
section. Such regulations shall ensure that the review 
process described in paragraph (4) contains the same proce-
dures as subsections (d) and (g) of section 109.19 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations, and is otherwise consistent 
with the review process developed under such section, to 
the greatest extent practicable and not inconsistent with 
this section. 
‘‘(8) IMMINENT HAZARD DEFINED.—In this subsection, the 
term ‘imminent hazard’ means the existence of a condition 
relating to a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility that 
presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, 
severe personal injury, or a substantial endangerment to health, 
property, or the environment may occur before the reasonably 
foreseeable completion date of a formal proceeding begun to 
lessen the risk of such death, illness, injury, or endangerment. 
‘‘(9) LIMITATION AND SAVINGS CLAUSE.—An emergency order 
issued under this subsection may not be construed to— 
‘‘(A) alter, amend, or limit the Secretary’s obligations 
under, or the applicability of, section 553 of title 5; or 
‘‘(B) provide the authority to amend the Code of Federal 
Regulations.’’. 
SEC. 17. STATE GRANT FUNDS. 
Section 60107 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) PAYMENTS.—After notifying and consulting with a State 
authority, the Secretary may withhold any part of a payment when 
the Secretary decides that the authority is not carrying out satisfac-
torily a safety program or not acting satisfactorily as an agent. 
The Secretary may pay an authority under this section only when 
the authority ensures the Secretary that it will provide the 
Expiration date. 
Deadlines. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00524
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 527 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
remaining costs of a safety program, except when the Secretary 
waives this requirement.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) REPURPOSING OF FUNDS.—If a State program’s certification 
is rejected under section 60105(f) or such program is otherwise 
suspended or interrupted, the Secretary may use any undistributed, 
deobligated, or recovered funds authorized under this section to 
carry out pipeline safety activities for that State within the period 
of availability for such funds.’’. 
SEC. 18. RESPONSE PLANS. 
Each owner or operator of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility 
required to prepare a response plan pursuant to part 194 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations, shall— 
(1) consider the impact of a discharge into or on navigable 
waters or adjoining shorelines, including those that may be 
covered in whole or in part by ice; and 
(2) include procedures and resources for responding to such 
discharge in the plan. 
SEC. 19. UNUSUALLY SENSITIVE AREAS. 
(a) AREAS TO BE INCLUDED AS UNUSUALLY SENSITIVE.—Section 
60109(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘have been identified as’’ and inserting ‘‘are part of the Great 
Lakes or have been identified as coastal beaches, marine coastal 
waters,’’. 
(b) 
UNUSUALLY
SENSITIVE
AREAS
(USA) 
ECOLOGICAL 
RESOURCES.—The Secretary of Transportation shall revise section 
195.6(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to explicitly state 
that the Great Lakes, coastal beaches, and marine coastal waters 
are USA ecological resources for purposes of determining whether 
a pipeline is in a high consequence area (as defined in section 
195.450 of such title). 
SEC. 20. PIPELINE SAFETY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS. 
(a) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION LIMITATION.—Section 60130(a)(4) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘on technical 
pipeline safety issues’’ after ‘‘public participation’’. 
(b) AUDIT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transpor-
tation shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation, the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report evaluating the grant program under section 60130 
of title 49, United States Code. The report shall include— 
(1) a list of the recipients of all grant funds during fiscal 
years 2010 through 2015; 
(2) a description of how each grant was used; 
(3) an analysis of the compliance with the terms of grant 
agreements, including subsections (a) and (b) of such section; 
(4) an evaluation of the competitive process used to award 
the grant funds; and 
(5) an evaluation of— 
(A) the ability of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration to oversee grant funds and usage; 
and 
(B) the procedures used for such oversight. 
Evaluation. 
Evaluation. 
Analysis. 
List. 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
49 USC 60109 
note. 
Procedures. 
49 USC 60102 
note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00525
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 528 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
SEC. 21. STUDY OF MATERIALS AND CORROSION PREVENTION IN PIPE-
LINE 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 pipe-
line 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 preven-
tion, 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 mainte-
nance, including training, are available to recognize or prevent 
corrosion; 
(3) an analysis of the estimated costs and anticipated bene-
fits, 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 corro-
sion-related pipeline failures. 
SEC. 22. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department 
of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report regarding the Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s research and develop-
ment 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 Mate-
rials Safety Administration enters into joint research ventures 
with Federal and non-Federal entities, and benefits thereof; 
(3) the policies and procedures the Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration has put in place to ensure 
there are no conflicts of interest with administering grants 
Evaluation. 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
Analysis. 
Analysis. 
Deadline. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00526
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 529 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
pursuant to the program, and whether those policies and proce-
dures 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 Sec-
retary 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 inde-
pendent 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 Infra-
structure, 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 proc-
esses and procedures implemented under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(i) CONFLICT OF INTEREST.—The Secretary shall take all prac-
tical steps to ensure that each recipient of an agreement under 
this section discloses in writing to the Secretary any conflict of 
interest on a research and development project carried out under 
this section, and includes any such disclosure as part of the final 
deliverable pursuant to such agreement. The Secretary may not 
make an award under this section directly to a pipeline owner 
Notification. 
Reports. 
Procedures. 
Deadline. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00527
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 530 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
or operator that is regulated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Mate-
rials Safety Administration or a State-certified regulatory authority 
if there is a conflict of interest relating to such owner or operator.’’. 
SEC. 23. ACTIVE AND ABANDONED PIPELINES. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue an advisory bulletin 
to owners and operators of gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities 
and Federal and State pipeline safety personnel regarding proce-
dures of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administra-
tion required to change the status of a pipeline facility from active 
to abandoned, including specific guidance on the terms recognized 
by the Secretary for each pipeline status referred to in such advisory 
bulletin. 
SEC. 24. STATE PIPELINE SAFETY AGREEMENTS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
complete a study on State pipeline safety agreements made pursu-
ant 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 pursu-
ant to agreements under such section. 
(3) The estimated staff and other resources used by the 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in 
carrying out interstate inspections in areas where there is 
no interstate agreement with a State pursuant to such section. 
(b) NOTICE REQUIREMENT
FOR DENIAL.—Section 60106(b) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(4) NOTICE UPON DENIAL.—If a State authority requests 
an interstate agreement under this section and the Secretary 
denies such request, the Secretary shall provide written 
notification to the State authority of the denial that includes 
an explanation of the reasons for such denial.’’. 
SEC. 25. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE 
FACILITIES. 
Section 60109 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE FACILITIES.— 
‘‘(1) INTEGRITY ASSESSMENTS.—Notwithstanding any pipe-
line 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 sur-
veys, pressure tests, external corrosion direct assessment, 
or other technology that the operator demonstrates can 
further the understanding of the condition of the pipeline 
facility are completed on a schedule based on the risk 
Deadline. 
Applicability. 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
Advisory 
bulletin. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00528
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 531 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
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 sub-
section applies is complying with this section.’’. 
SEC. 26. STUDY ON PROPANE GAS PIPELINE FACILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation shall enter 
into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the 
National Academies to conduct a study examining the safety, regu-
latory 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 sub-
section (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 facili-
ties; and 
(3) the costs and benefits, including safety benefits, associ-
ated with such applicable regulatory requirements and the 
use of such techniques and best practices. 
(c) PARTICIPATION.—In conducting the study pursuant to sub-
section (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 enact-
ment 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 rec-
ommendations for improving the safety of such pipeline facilities. 
(e) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘petroleum gas’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 192.3 of title 49, Code 
of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 27. STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS PIPE-
LINE 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; 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Consultation. 
Contracts. 
Determination. 
Applicability. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00529
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 532 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting 
‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: 
‘‘(7) national security.’’. 
(b) UPDATE TO MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS.—The Secretary 
of Transportation shall review and update the minimum safety 
standards prescribed pursuant to section 60103 of title 49, United 
States Code, for permanent, small scale liquefied natural gas pipe-
line 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 facili-
ties. 
SEC. 28. PIPELINE ODORIZATION STUDY. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives that assesses— 
(1) the feasibility, costs, and benefits of odorizing all 
combustible gas in pipeline transportation; and 
(2) the affects of the odorization of all combustible gas 
in pipeline transportation on— 
(A) manufacturers, agriculture, and other end users; 
and 
(B) public health and safety. 
SEC. 29. REPORT ON NATURAL GAS LEAK REPORTING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Haz-
ardous 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 agen-
cies related to lost and unaccounted for natural gas from distribu-
tion 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 rec-
ommendations 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 dis-
tribution 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 meas-
ures will resolve any safety issues identified under paragraph 
(3), including an analysis of the potential impact, including 
potential savings, on rate payers and end users of natural 
gas products of such reporting and measures. 
Assessment. 
Analysis. 
49 USC 60108 
note. 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
Assessment. 
Review. 
49 USC 60103 
note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00530
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 533 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
(c) CONSIDERATION
OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—If the Adminis-
trator determines that alternate reporting structures or rec-
ommendations 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 distribu-
tion systems, the Administrator shall, not later than 1 year after 
making such determination, issue regulations, as the Administrator 
determines appropriate, to implement the recommendations. 
SEC. 30. REVIEW OF STATE POLICIES RELATING TO NATURAL GAS 
LEAKS. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration shall conduct a State-by-State 
review of State-level policies that— 
(1) encourage the repair and replacement of leaking natural 
gas distribution pipelines or systems that pose a safety threat, 
such as timelines to repair leaks and limits on cost recovery 
from ratepayers; and 
(2) may create barriers for entities to conduct work to 
repair and replace leaking natural gas pipelines or distribution 
systems. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment 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 prac-
tices 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 rec-
ommendations on ratepayers or end users of the natural gas pipeline 
system. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—If the Adminis-
trator 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 appro-
priate, issue regulations, as the Administrator determines appro-
priate, to implement the recommendations. 
SEC. 31. ALISO CANYON NATURAL GAS LEAK TASK FORCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE.—Not later than 15 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy 
shall lead and establish an Aliso Canyon natural gas leak task 
force. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP OF TASK FORCE.—In addition to the Secretary, 
the task force established under subsection (a) shall be composed 
of— 
(1) 1 representative from the Department of Transpor-
tation; 
(2) 1 representative from the Department of Health and 
Human Services; 
(3) 1 representative from the Environmental Protection 
Agency; 
(4) 1 representative from the Department of the Interior; 
(5) 1 representative from the Department of Commerce; 
Deadline. 
Determination. 
Coordination. 
Regulations. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
49 USC 60108 
note. 
Determination. 
Regulations. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00531
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 534 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
(6) 1 representative from the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission; and 
(7) representatives of State and local governments, as deter-
mined 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 Infrastruc-
ture 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 contrib-
uting 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 agen-
cies responded to the natural gas leak; 
(E) in order to lessen the negative impacts of leaks 
from underground natural gas storage facilities, rec-
ommendations on how to improve— 
(i) the response to a future leak; and 
(ii) coordination between all appropriate Federal, 
State, and local agencies in the response to the Aliso 
Canyon natural gas leak and future natural gas leaks; 
(F) an analysis of the potential for a similar natural 
gas leak to occur at other underground natural gas storage 
facilities in the United States; 
(G) recommendations on how to prevent any future 
natural gas leaks; 
(H) recommendations regarding Aliso Canyon and 
other underground natural gas storage facilities located 
in close proximity to residential populations; 
Assessment. 
Analysis. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00532
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)
130 STAT. 535 
PUBLIC LAW 114–183—JUNE 22, 2016 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2276 (H.R. 4937): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 114–807, Pt. 1 (Comm. on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture) accompanying H.R. 4937. 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 114–209 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transporta-
tion). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016): 
Mar. 3, considered and passed Senate. 
June 8, considered and passed House, amended. 
June 13, Senate concurred in House amendment. 
(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 acces-
sible format. 
(4) FINDINGS.—If, before the final report is submitted under 
paragraph (1), the task force established under subsection (a) 
finds methods to solve the natural gas leak at Aliso Canyon, 
finds methods to better protect the affected communities, or 
finds methods to help prevent other leaks, the task force shall 
immediately submit such findings to the entities described in 
subparagraphs (A) through (J) of paragraph (1). 
Approved June 22, 2016. 
Public 
information. 
Electronic 
format. 
Submission. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:31 Jul 18, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 00533
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6580
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT1\59194PT1.001
59194PT1
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER (1)