During a House Energy Committee hearing before the Congressional Recess, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IO) asked President and Chief Executive Officer of the Liquid Energy Pipeline Association Andrew Black about technology best suited to different pipeline systems.
00:00I recognize the gentlelady from Iowa's 1st District for five minutes for questions.
00:06Thank you so much Chairman Latt and Ranking Member Castor for holding this important hearing on pipeline safety.
00:12American energy dominance requires modern pipeline infrastructure and effective regulations that truly consider the cost-benefit of additional bureaucratic barriers.
00:22These pipelines heat our homes and power our farms.
00:25They deliver energy affordably and safely across the country, making modern life possible.
00:31To think if we replaced every pipeline with a semi-tractor trailer truck, tanker, or rail car, how much more safety would be put at risk?
00:43We need clear federal standards, not 20-year-old rules that ignore modern technology and innovation.
00:49This isn't complicated. Focus on actual safety, streamline permitting.
00:54American energy security depends on building the infrastructure, and that means smart, targeted policies,
01:00not one-size-fits-all mandates that threaten reliability and investment.
01:04And to your point, Mr. Moriarty, I have, since I've been in Congress, which was January 3rd, 2021,
01:10have been talking with two of my counties in southeast Iowa along the Mississippi River
01:14who desperately want more pipeline natural gas delivered to them, and it is absolutely affecting economic growth,
01:22and they've lost businesses relocating there because of this issue.
01:27And Mr. Black, your members use advanced technologies for leak detection voluntarily.
01:33Why is flexibility important in allowing operators to deploy the right technology for their specific systems
01:40rather than having a prospective mandate from the federal government?
01:44Well, first, technology.
01:46Congresswoman, there are lots of different types of pipelines.
01:49There are ones that have many laterals and many injection points and takeoffs,
01:54and there are ones that just go one direction.
01:56It's important to have a leak detection program that reflects the characteristics of that system.
02:03If there are prescriptive regulations, first, those might become quickly obsolescent by advancing technology.
02:12Second, they might not reflect the unique characteristics of that pipelines.
02:16Right now, PHMSA inspects pipeline operators, asks them about how they're approaching their pipeline system,
02:22and has that type of conversation.
02:24That's the way that it should be.
02:25So it's sort of like the federal government telling a farmer how much input,
02:29how much pesticide, fungicide, fertilizer, when to harvest, when to plant,
02:34not knowing when the corn's dry, when the ground's ready,
02:37how much rain they're expecting, and if there's flooding.
02:39That sounds right.
02:40Okay, thank you.
02:41Mr. Moriarty, Congress mandated a safety program for idle pipelines in 2020,
02:46but it hasn't been implemented.
02:48As an operator, what unique risks do idle pipelines pose, and why do we need federal standards?
02:54Thank you for that question.
02:55Idle pipelines are wasted capacity that could be repurposed for other uses.
03:05We try and ensure that all the pipelines that we have are fully utilized, and they're safe.
03:12I think when you idle a pipeline and it's not being used,
03:15you just raise the risks of safety with those pipelines.
03:19Again, for Mr. Moriarty, you describe sophisticated cybersecurity measures at Chesapeake.
03:24How can PHMSA support industry-led cybersecurity efforts without creating duplicative regulations
03:31with TSA and other agency requirements?
03:34Well, thank you very much.
03:37Cybersecurity is one of the top risks that face companies like ours.
03:41We have invested a great deal in a cyber team.
03:44We have one of the best in the country, and we're very, very proud of that.
03:47We have attacks daily from nation states and others.
03:52We have partners at the FBI and other places that we deal with where we share information.
04:00I think if PHMSA were to step in, we'd want a holistic approach,
04:04because time is of the essence when you're dealing with a cyber event.
04:09And, Ms. Miller, CO2 has been used for enhanced oil recovery for decades,
04:13helping maximize domestic energy production.
04:16Can you explain how CO2 infrastructure supports traditional oil and gas operations
04:22and why it's important for American energy security?
04:26Thank you for that question.
04:28Actually, a few of GPA midstream members currently operate or planning to operate CO2 pipelines,
04:34but we recognize the importance of having the pipelines available to solve
04:39and support some of the environmental opportunities available in the industry.
04:45We do support strong pipeline safety for all pipelines, including CO2,
04:50and we would support PHMSA's process to establish those rules properly.
04:56Are there associated with the CO2 pipeline versus other pipelines,
05:01if proper safety protocols are put in place?
05:04I would have to follow up for you, but I'd be happy to.
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