Rick Allen: It Is Critical To Make Sure That Pipeline Infrastructure Is Modern And Safe

4 months ago

During a House Energy Committee hearing before the Congressional Recess, Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) asked Executive Vice President Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Jim Moriarty about how gas is safely transported into communities.

Transcript

00:00The chair now recognizes the gentleman from Georgia's 12th district.

00:04Five minutes for questions.

00:05Thank you, Chair Lauda.

00:08And thank you for holding this important hearing to discuss policy on expanding our pipeline capacity.

00:13I want to thank the witnesses for being here to testify.

00:18Building up our pipeline capacity is critical to delivering affordable energy to our constituents across the country and our allies.

00:25We have heard from the witnesses that pipelines are the safest way to deliver energy.

00:31As we are working on modernizing the role of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the PHMSA,

00:38it is critical we ensure it works to enhance our pipeline infrastructure.

00:43Mr. Moriarty, you work in the local distribution of natural gas.

00:51Could you expand on how you get gas safely into communities and the need to build up pipeline capacity to deliver low-cost energy to consumers?

01:01Well, thank you very much for that question.

01:03I would like to answer it by an example.

01:06Somerset County in Maryland did not have access to natural gas.

01:10The county there was desperate to get new energy delivered because of the economic development that would occur and the increase in employment.

01:18We work closely with the community as well as with the state, and we now built a pipeline into Somerset County,

01:25so for the first time they have access to natural gas, which has led to more building, more manufacturing, and more jobs.

01:35That's a great example, and thank you for that.

01:39Mr. Black, Ms. Miller, you both mentioned the need to reform the special permit program.

01:44Can you share how reforming this program will expand pipeline infrastructure projects?

01:49The special permit program has been nearly broken by the application of unnecessary conditions that are unrelated to the waiver being requested,

01:59and they've taken too long.

02:01PHMSA should reform the special permit process, and Congress should tell them that they should.

02:07Decision delays, decision deadlines, excuse me, and no extraneous conditions.

02:13How will that help?

02:14Their one-size-fits-all regulations can't possibly apply to all the different types of conditions, operations, pipe that's out there.

02:21If we reform the special permit process, get people using it, have regulations that are suited to that specific pipe,

02:29that contributes to unleashing energy because we can have the pipe that we need to go where we need it to go.

02:35Okay.

02:35Ms. Miller?

02:38I would echo what Mr. Black said.

02:39We agree that not only it's a special permit program offers that opportunity,

02:43but I would point out as well that performance-based measures and PHMSA pipeline safety programming

02:49can allow for the evolving technology in order for more fit-for-purpose solutions.

02:54Okay, as a follow-up, how can PHMSA modernize a special permit process so operators can realize the intended benefits of the process?

03:03Mr. Miller?

03:05Ms. Miller, I'm sorry.

03:07I would actually, I defer to Mr. Black, who did such a nice job of describing the special permit program

03:14and the opportunities for improving upon it, but we echo that there's an opportunity to allow for the fit-for-purpose solutions

03:20that bring better safety outcomes.

03:22Okay, Mr. Black.

03:22Yes, Congressman, no unrelated conditions.

03:25Deal with what the pipeline operator is requesting.

03:27Don't take this opportunity to impose something else.

03:31Do that through the regulatory process.

03:32Second, have a decision deadline so that permits get ruled on and we get these changes made.

03:37Okay.

03:38All right.

03:39Ms. Miller, it's my understanding that you have some LNG members.

03:42I believe exporting LNG to our allies is key to our national security.

03:46Can you share how updating pipeline safety programs would be beneficial to our LNG exports?

03:54Having a greater supply available for export not only facilitates the export of that to our allies,

04:01but that also has environmental benefits because natural gas is a more environmentally friendly energy source.

04:10Energy demands, of course, are increasing around the world and making that available across the world.

04:16Our American natural gas around the world provides benefits for us all.

04:21Yeah, and this is a great opportunity for us to maybe reverse the trade deficit issues

04:27and other things that obviously the President's working on.

04:31Would that be correct?

04:32I agree.

04:32Yeah.

04:33Okay.

04:34All right.

04:34Well, thank you so much to you all for being here today.

04:39And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

Rick Allen: It Is Critical To Make Sure That Pipeline Infrastructure Is Modern And Safe

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