PIPES Act 2020

Full text of S 2299 as passed by the Senate 8/6/2020

This bill (S 2299) was passed by the Senate and transmitted to the House for approval. It addresses pipeline safety and infrastructure and authorizes appropriations through FY2023 for specified pipeline safety programs under the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 and related enactments.

Among other things, the bill:

• requires fees for compliance reviews of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities;
• authorizes the establishment of limited safety-enhancing testing programs to evaluate innovative technologies and operational practices testing the safe operation of natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities;
• sets forth requirements for idled natural or other gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines;
• updates the standards for LNG facilities;
• establishes the National Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training to include a repository of information on best practices relating to LNG operations;
• requires each distribution integrity plan developed by an operator of a gas distribution pipeline to include the risks from the presence of cast iron pipes and mains and risks that may result from the operation of a low-pressure distribution system;
• directs operators to establish protocols for communicating with fire, police, and other relevant public officials after a disaster that includes fires, explosions, or one or more fatalities; and
• requires procedural manuals for operations, maintenance, and emergencies to include certain written procedures.

The bill includes the following sections:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

TITLE I - IMPROVING PIPELINE SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 102. Pipeline workforce development.

Sec. 103. Cost recovery and fees for facility reviews.

Sec. 104. Advancement of new pipeline safety technologies and approaches.

Sec. 105. Pipeline safety testing enhancement study.

Sec. 106. Regulatory updates.

Sec. 107. Self-disclosure of violations.

Sec. 108. Due process protections in enforcement proceedings.

Sec. 109. Pipeline operating status.

Sec. 110. Liquefied natural gas facility project reviews.

Sec. 111. Updates to standards for liquefied natural gas facilities.

Sec. 112. National Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training.

Sec. 113. Prioritization of rulemaking.

Sec. 114. Leak detection and repair.

Sec. 115. Inspection and maintenance plans.

Sec. 116. Consideration of pipeline class location changes.

Sec. 117. Protection of employees providing pipeline safety information.

Sec. 118. Transportation Technology Center.

Sec. 119. Interstate drug and alcohol oversight.

Sec. 120. Savings clause.

TITLE II - LEONEL RONDON PIPELINE SAFETY ACT

Sec. 201. Short title.

Sec. 202. Distribution integrity management plans.

Sec. 203. Emergency response plans.

Sec. 204. Operations and maintenance manuals.

Sec. 205. Pipeline safety management systems.

Sec. 206. Pipeline safety practices.