Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and Environmental Standards (PASES) Act to improve safety, environmental, and transparency standards for oil and gas pipelines in the United States. The legislation, also introduced in the Senate by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), builds on the progress made by the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act, which Trahan and Markey shepherded into law following the 2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Leonel Rondon, dozens of injuries, damage to more than 100 structures, and the evacuation of thousands of families in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover.

“As we approach the sixth anniversary of the Merrimack Valley gas explosions, we must do everything in our power to prevent another tragedy like it from happening again,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act, which I introduced with Senator Markey, was a massive step in the right direction, and our Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and Environmental Standards Act will build on that progress so no community has to endure what Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover did.”

“As we work to transition to clean energy, we need to limit the significant risks that pipelines continue to pose to public safety and the environment,” said Senator Markey. “If pipelines leak, break, or fail, then we need to plug, seal, and boost the federal safety and accountability rules that protect our cities and towns. My Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and Environmental Standards Act would help ensure communities are actively involved in pipeline safety, that climate impacts are accounted for, and that standards are updated and modernized.” 

Specifically, the PASES Act would:

1. Enhance safety and environmental standards. The bill reiterates and mandates that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) consider climate impacts, the lifespan of fossil fuel infrastructure, and plans for transitioning to non-emitting alternatives when setting pipeline standards.
2. Streamline rulemaking. By eliminating duplicative cost-benefit analysis requirements, the bill allows PHMSA to act more swiftly and effectively in protecting public health and safety.
3. Increase public participation and transparency. The bill strengthens the role of public stakeholders in technical safety standards committees and ensures they are independent. Additionally, by establishing an Office of Public Engagement within PHMSA, funded at $12 million a year, this bill enhances the agency’s ability to educate and involve communities in pipeline safety discussions.
4. Require safety upgrades and regulations. The bill requires the application of updated safety standards to existing pipelines and requires that pipelines can be rapidly isolated in the event of catastrophic failures. This bill also directs the development of robust safety regulations for CO2 pipelines, which present unique hazards, and calls for an independent study on the safety of blending hydrogen into natural gas systems.
5. Provide funding for pipeline modernization and non-emitting alternatives. By modifying adding new funding to the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program, the bill ensures continued investment in pipeline safety and modernization, with 20 percent of funds allocated to non-emitting alternatives and workforce training.
6. Require public disclosure and incident reporting. The bill mandates comprehensive disclosure of pipeline safety data to the public and lowers the thresholds for reporting incidents, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
7. Improve accountability measures. By removing limits on civil penalties for a related series of violations and allowing private citizens to take legal action against PHMSA for failing to enforce safety standards, the bill closes existing regulatory gaps and enhances accountability.

The PACES Act is endorsed by Pipeline Safety Trust, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund, Food & Water Watch, Public Citizen, HEET, Mothers Out Front, Appalachian Voices, BOLD Alliance, Oil Change International, Earthworks, Science and Environmental Health Network, Center for Biological Diversity, and Conservation Law Foundation.

A copy of the legislation introduced today can be accessed HERE.

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