Floor SpeechUrgent2026-04-29

PIPELINE INTEGRITY, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT FOR LEVERAGING INVESTMENTS IN THE NATION'S ENERGY TO ASSURE SAFETY ACT OF 2025

LaborTechnologyInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-04-29, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) delivered a floor speech titled "PIPELINE INTEGRITY, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT FOR LEVERAGING INVESTMENTS IN THE NATION'S ENERGY TO ASSURE SAFETY ACT O" in the Senate. The speech addressed labor policy and also covered technology, infrastructure. It referenced legislation including S2109, S2121, S2975, among other bills.

Full Text

PIPELINE INTEGRITY, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT FOR LEVERAGING INVESTMENTS IN THE NATION'S ENERGY TO ASSURE SAFETY ACT OF 2025

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2109-S2121] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PIPELINE INTEGRITY, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT FOR LEVERAGING INVESTMENTS IN THE NATION'S ENERGY TO ASSURE SAFETY ACT OF 2025 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 331, S. 2975. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2975) to amend title 49, United States Code, to enhance the safety of pipeline transportation, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pipeline Integrity, Protection, and Enhancement for Leveraging Investments in the Nation's Energy to assure Safety Act of 2025'' or the ``PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATIONS Sec. 101. Gas and hazardous liquid. Sec. 102. Operational expenses of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Sec. 103. Other programs. TITLE II--MODERNIZING PIPELINE SAFETY Sec. 201. Inspection of in-service breakout tanks. Sec. 202. Risk assessment obligations. Sec. 203. Timely incorporation by reference. Sec. 204. Report on updates to the National Pipeline Mapping System. Sec. 205. Pipeline safety enhancement programs. Sec. 206. Technical safety standards committees. Sec. 207. Enforcement procedures. Sec. 208. Civil penalties. Sec. 209. Improving whistleblower protections. Sec. 210. Assessment of composite materials. Sec. 211. Elements and evaluation of State damage prevention programs. Sec. 212. Pipeline safety voluntary information-sharing system. Sec. 213. Transporting gas. Sec. 214. Inspection and management of rights-of-way. Sec. 215. Geological hazards. Sec. 216. Alternative technologies. Sec. 217. Fire shutoff valves. Sec. 218. Exemption from post-accident testing. Sec. 219. Maximum allowable operating pressure records. Sec. 220. Pipeline operating status. Sec. 221. Potential impact radius. Sec. 222. Effects of weather on natural gas pipelines. Sec. 223. Aldyl-A pipelines. Sec. 224. Improvements to pipeline safety integrity management programs. Sec. 225. Nonemergency waivers by the Secretary. TITLE III--STREAMLINING OVERSIGHT OF PIPELINES Sec. 301. Regulatory updates. Sec. 302. State use of integrated inspections. Sec. 303. Optimizing pipeline safety inspections. Sec. 304. Sense of Congress on PHMSA engagement prior to rulemaking activities. TITLE IV--IMPROVING SAFETY OF EMERGING GASES Sec. 401. Studies of hydrogen pipeline transportation. Sec. 402. Safety of carbon dioxide pipelines. Sec. 403. Reporting of blended products. TITLE V--IMPROVING EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND TRANSPARENCY Sec. 501. Bitumen oil response plan review. Sec. 502. National Center of Excellence for Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Leak Detection. Sec. 503. Operator financial disclosure. Sec. 504. Data and transparency. Sec. 505. Office of Public Engagement. Sec. 506. Clarification of confirmed discovery. Sec. 507. Public alert notification system for pipeline facilities. TITLE VI--OTHER MATTERS Sec. 601. Prohibition on PHMSA operation, procurement, or contracting action with respect to covered unmanned aircraft systems. Sec. 602. Natural gas distribution pipeline infrastructure safety and modernization grants. Sec. 603. Issues affecting federally recognized Indian Tribes. Sec. 604. Identification of and justification for redactions. Sec. 605. Fees for loan guarantees. Sec. 606. Improving pipeline cybersecurity. Sec. 607. Technical corrections. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Administration. (3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means-- [[Page S2110]] (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and (C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. (4) Document produced to another person.--The term ``document produced to another person'' means a document produced in response to a request under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act), a submission to a Federal, State, or Tribal court, information made available on a website, and a document transmitted to Congress. (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Transportation. TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATIONS SEC. 101. GAS AND HAZARDOUS LIQUID. Section 60125(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$156,400,000 for fiscal year 2021'' and inserting ``$185,000,000 for fiscal year 2026''; and (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``$63,000,000'' and inserting ``$83,250,000''; (B) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$158,500,000 for fiscal year 2022'' and inserting ``$190,365,000 for fiscal year 2027''; and (ii) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``$66,000,000'' and inserting ``$85,660,000''; and (II) by striking ``and'' at the end; (C) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$162,700,000 for fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``$195,886,000 for fiscal year 2028''; and (ii) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``$69,000,000'' and inserting ``$88,150,000''; and (II) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(D) $201,556,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which-- ``(i) $9,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-355); and ``(ii) $90,700,000 shall be used for making grants; and ``(E) $207,412,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which-- ``(i) $9,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-355); and ``(ii) $93,340,000 shall be used for making grants.''; (2) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$27,000,000 for fiscal year 2021'' and inserting ``$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026''; and (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``$11,000,000'' and inserting ``$13,500,000''; (B) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$27,650,000 for fiscal year 2022'' and inserting ``$31,000,000 for fiscal year 2027''; and (ii) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``$12,000,000'' and inserting ``$13,950,000''; and (II) by striking ``and'' at the end; (C) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$28,700,000 for fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``$32,000,000 for fiscal year 2028''; and (ii) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``$13,000,000'' and inserting ``$14,400,000''; and (II) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(D) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which-- ``(i) $3,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-355); and ``(ii) $14,850,000 shall be used for making grants; and ``(E) 34,000,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which-- ``(i) $3,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-355); and ``(ii) $15,300,000 shall be used for making grants.''; and (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023'' and inserting ``$7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030''. SEC. 102. OPERATIONAL EXPENSES OF THE PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the necessary operational expenses of the Administration-- (1) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; (2) $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; (3) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; (4) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2029; and (5) $37,000,000 for fiscal year 2030. SEC. 103. OTHER PROGRAMS. (a) Emergency Response Grants.--Section 60125(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023 to carry out this subsection'' and inserting ``to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030''. (b) Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities.-- Section 60130 of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (c)-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``section 2(b) of the PIPES Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-183; 130 Stat. 515), the Secretary shall use $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023 to carry out this section.'' and inserting the following: ``section 60125(a)(1), the Secretary shall use to carry out this section-- ``(A) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; ``(B) $2,750,000 for fiscal year 2027; ``(C) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; ``(D) $3,250,000 for fiscal year 2029; and ``(E) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.''; and (B) in paragraph (2)-- (i) by striking ``$1,000,000''; and (ii) by striking ``section.'' and inserting the following: ``section-- ``(A) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; ``(B) $1,250,000 for fiscal year 2027;

Referenced legislation: S2975, S2975

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PIPELINE INTEGRITY, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT FOR LEVERAGING INVESTMENTS IN THE NATION'S ENERGY TO ASSURE SAFETY ACT OF 2025 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2109-S2121] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PIPELINE INTEGRITY, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT FOR LEVERAGING INVESTMENTS IN THE NATION'S ENERGY TO ASSURE SAFETY ACT OF 2025 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 331, S. 2975. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2975) to amend title 49, United States Code, to enhance the safety of pipeline transportation, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pipeline Integrity, Protection, and Enhancement for Leveraging Investments in the Nation's Energy to assure Safety Act of 2025'' or the ``PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATIONS Sec. 101. Gas and hazardous liquid. Sec. 102. Operational expenses of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Sec. 103. Other programs. TITLE II--MODERNIZING PIPELINE SAFETY Sec. 201. Inspection of in-service breakout tanks. Sec. 202. Risk assessment obligations. Sec. 203. Timely incorporation by reference. Sec. 204. Report on updates to the National Pipeline Mapping System. Sec. 205. Pipeline safety enhancement programs. Sec. 206. Technical safety standards committees. Sec. 207. Enforcement procedures. Sec. 208. Civil penalties. Sec. 209. Improving whistleblower protections. Sec. 210. Assessment of composite materials. Sec. 211. Elements and evaluation of State damage prevention programs. Sec. 212. Pipeline safety voluntary information-sharing system. Sec. 213. Transporting gas. Sec. 214. Inspection and management of rights-of-way. Sec. 215. Geological hazards. Sec. 216. Alternative technologies. Sec. 217. Fire shutoff valves. Sec. 218. Exemption from post-accident testing. Sec. 219. Maximum allowable operating pressure records. Sec. 220. Pipeline operating status. Sec. 221. Potential impact radius. Sec. 222. Effects of weather on natural gas pipelines. Sec. 223. Aldyl-A pipelines. Sec. 224. Improvements to pipeline safety integrity management programs. Sec. 225. Nonemergency waivers by the Secretary. TITLE III--STREAMLINING OVERSIGHT OF PIPELINES Sec. 301. Regulatory updates. Sec. 302. State use of integrated inspections. Sec. 303. Optimizing pipeline safety inspections. Sec. 304. Sense of Congress on PHMSA engagement prior to rulemaking activities. TITLE IV--IMPROVING SAFETY OF EMERGING GASES Sec. 401. Studies of hydrogen pipeline transportation. Sec. 402. Safety of carbon dioxide pipelines. Sec. 403. Reporting of blended products. TITLE V--IMPROVING EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND TRANSPARENCY Sec. 501. Bitumen oil response plan review. Sec. 502. National Center of Excellence for Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Leak Detection. Sec. 503. Operator financial disclosure. Sec. 504. Data and transparency. Sec. 505. Office of Public Engagement. Sec. 506. Clarification of confirmed discovery. Sec. 507. Public alert notification system for pipeline facilities. TITLE VI--OTHER MATTERS Sec. 601. Prohibition on PHMSA operation, procurement, or contracting action with respect to covered unmanned aircraft systems. Sec. 602. Natural gas distribution pipeline infrastructure safety and modernization grants. Sec. 603. Issues affecting federally recognized Indian Tribes. Sec. 604. Identification of and justification for redactions. Sec. 605. Fees for loan guarantees. Sec. 606. Improving pipeline cybersecurity. Sec. 607. Technical corrections. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Administration. (3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means-- [[Page S2110]] (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and (C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. (4) Document produced to another person.--The term ``document produced to another person'' means a document produced in response to a request under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act), a submission to a Federal, State, or Tribal court, information made available on a website, and a document transmitted to Congress. (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Transportation. TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATIONS SEC. 101. GAS AND HAZARDOUS LIQUID. Section 60125(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$156,400,000 for fiscal year 2021'' and inserting ``$185,000,000 for fiscal year 2026''; and (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``$63,000,000'' and inserting ``$83,250,000''; (B) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$158,500,000 for fiscal year 2022'' and inserting ``$190,365,000 for fiscal year 2027''; and (ii) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``$66,000,000'' and inserting ``$85,660,000''; and (II) by striking ``and'' at the end; (C) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$162,700,000 for fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``$195,886,000 for fiscal year 2028''; and (ii) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``$69,000,000'' and inserting ``$88,150,000''; and (II) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(D) $201,556,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which-- ``(i) $9,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-355); and ``(ii) $90,700,000 shall be used for making grants; and ``(E) $207,412,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which-- ``(i) $9,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-355); and ``(ii) $93,340,000 shall be used for making grants.''; (2) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$27,000,000 for fiscal year 2021'' and inserting ``$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026''; and (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``$11,000,000'' and inserting ``$13,500,000''; (B) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$27,650,000 for fiscal year 2022'' and inserting ``$31,000,000 for fiscal year 2027''; and (ii) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``$12,000,000'' and inserting ``$13,950,000''; and (II) by striking ``and'' at the end; (C) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``$28,700,000 for fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``$32,000,000 for fiscal year 2028''; and (ii) in clause (ii)-- (I) by striking ``$13,000,000'' and inserting ``$14,400,000''; and (II) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(D) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which-- ``(i) $3,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-355); and ``(ii) $14,850,000 shall be used for making grants; and ``(E) 34,000,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which-- ``(i) $3,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-355); and ``(ii) $15,300,000 shall be used for making grants.''; and (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023'' and inserting ``$7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030''. SEC. 102. OPERATIONAL EXPENSES OF THE PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the necessary operational expenses of the Administration-- (1) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; (2) $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; (3) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; (4) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2029; and (5) $37,000,000 for fiscal year 2030. SEC. 103. OTHER PROGRAMS. (a) Emergency Response Grants.--Section 60125(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023 to carry out this subsection'' and inserting ``to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030''. (b) Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities.-- Section 60130 of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (c)-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``section 2(b) of the PIPES Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-183; 130 Stat. 515), the Secretary shall use $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023 to carry out this section.'' and inserting the following: ``section 60125(a)(1), the Secretary shall use to carry out this section-- ``(A) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; ``(B) $2,750,000 for fiscal year 2027; ``(C) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; ``(D) $3,250,000 for fiscal year 2029; and ``(E) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.''; and (B) in paragraph (2)-- (i) by striking ``$1,000,000''; and (ii) by striking ``section.'' and inserting the following: ``section-- ``(A) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; ``(B) $1,250,000 for fiscal year 2027; Referenced legislation: S2975, S2975