The Senate approved a bill Thursday night updating federal pipeline rules, while giving California a new task force to investigate a gas storage leak that plagued residents near Los Angeles for months.
The legislation, backed by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, was passed by unanimous consent.
“For families, consumers, workers and businesses across our nation, the safety and security of our extensive pipeline network must remain a top priority,” said Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, who was key to moving the bill to passage. “The bill we passed today will enhance the safety of these pipelines through stronger congressional oversight and necessary improvements.”
The legislation reauthorizes the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the nation’s principal pipeline regulator, through 2019. The bill also included new measure to stop oil spills.
The bill includes a special task force to investigate California’s methane leak in Aliso Canyon that forced residents to evacuate and took months to stop. The task force will examine the causes and report back to Congress with policy recommendations.
