During a House Energy Committee hearing before the Congressional Recess, Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) spoke about technology improvements to natural gas pipelines.
00:00Subcommittee on Energy to Order, and the chair recognizes himself for five minutes for an opening statement.
00:07And welcome to today's hearing, Strengthening American Energy Review of Pipeline Safety Policy.
00:12And I want to thank our witnesses for participating today.
00:16We will examine the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's PHMSA Pipeline Safety Program.
00:23PHMSA is a Department of Transportation agency tasked with developing and enforcing federal safety regulations for the nation's onshore pipeline infrastructure and the transportation of hazardous materials.
00:36The witnesses before us represent different segments of PHMSA-regulated community and can provide important perspectives on the reauthorization of PHMSA.
00:46Pipelines are the safest and most efficient mode of transportation for oil, natural gas, liquid energy products, and hazardous materials,
00:54and they play an instrumental role in delivering the products that drive our nation's economy forward.
00:59The agency has about 3.3 million miles of pipelines under its purview.
01:05In order to ensure these pipelines are operated in a safe and reliable manner, PHMSA partners and coordinates with states
01:14to administer pipeline safety programs and inspect infrastructure within a state's boundaries.
01:21PHMSA was last authorized in protecting our infrastructure pipelines and enhancing safety act, the Pipes Act of 2020, through fiscal year of 2023.
01:31It is my belief that we can work in a bipartisan fashion in this Congress with our House and Senate colleagues to reauthorize PHMSA
01:38to continue carrying out its mission and associated duties.
01:43This subcommittee has a responsibility to ensure PHMSA maintains a strong focus on safety and operates within its statutory authorities.
01:52The Pipes Act of 2020 included several statutorily mandated rulemakings that never fully got out of the gate under the previous administration.
02:00Today, the subcommittee will examine implementation of the Pipes Act to ensure that PHMSA is on track to carry out congressional intent in a cost-effective and workable manner.
02:10Additionally, the subcommittee will examine new challenges and opportunities for pipeline safety.
02:17For example, the replacement of aging infrastructure must be a top priority for PHMSA, states, and pipeline operators, but it presents costs and operational challenges.
02:27Especially as energy demand is projected to increase significantly in the immediate future, the upgrading of our natural gas network must be prioritized to ensure the safe transportation of natural gas and other important energy sources and products.
02:43While substantial progress has been made in replacing aging pipes, there is still work to be done.
02:48I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on how PHMSA can help address the remaining 1% of the iron distribution pipes.
02:58American innovations and net technologies like artificial intelligence technology also present opportunities to bolster the quality of risk assessments and advance safety towards our collective goal of zero incidents.
03:13However, these technologies will also pose challenges to information and operational security.
03:19It is important that PHMSA reauthorization gives the agencies the tools needed to have an effective approach for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
03:28In his confirmation hearing last week, Paul Roberti, President Trump's nominee for PHMSA administrator, committed to pursuing opportunities to utilize new, cost-effective technology to enhance safety.
03:42The subcommittee hopes to collaborate with PHMSA and pipeline operators in this endeavor.
03:48As we look at the reauthorization, it must prioritize the improvements of the agency's core responsibility, which is safety.
03:56I'm concerned that the previous administration advanced extraneous priorities and set safety onto the side.
04:01However, President Trump's administration has recommitted to this critical mission.
04:05President Trump and I believe this committee can produce a reauthorization that maintains safety as a cornerstone of the pipeline safety program.
04:15Pipelines are imperative to public safety and the energy security of our nation.
04:19I look forward to hearing from the pipeline operators today as we vote on American energy leadership.
04:25I want to thank our witnesses for being here today.
Be the first to comment