Safety bill would subject nation's pipelines to more inspections

Friday, November 15th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The nation's aging network of natural gas and fuel pipelines would face stricter standards and more frequent inspections under a bill expected to win approval in Congress.

Companies that violate safety laws would face stiffer penalties.

The Senate approved the pipeline bill Wednesday night, and the House is expected to follow suit.

Pipeline safety advocates have pushed for a bill regulating the nation's 2.2 million miles of pipeline since a 1999 explosion killed three people in Bellingham, Wash. An August 2000 explosion killed 12 people in Carlsbad, N.M., and two more people were killed in pipeline accidents last year.

The bill approved by the Senate would require pipeline inspections at least once in the next 10 years and every seven years after that. Some pipelines near large cities would be inspected more frequently.

The bill also expands the public's right to know about pipeline hazards; sets up environmental reviews intended to enable more timely pipeline repairs; and increases state oversight of safety activities.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., hailed the measure as an important step to improve an often overlooked part of the country's infrastructure.

``I am proud to have been involved in the effort to increase the safety of our nation's pipelines,'' said Murray, who sponsored a similar bill that won Senate approval last year. That measure died in the House.

Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said the latest bill should provoke the pipeline industry to be more responsible. The measure increases the maximum penalty for a series of violations from $100,000 to $1 million.

``I believe we have crafted fair legislation that should work to give the public more confidence in the safety of the pipelines that cross our state, particularly when these pipelines impede populated or sensitive areas,'' Domenici said.

Nearly 7,000 miles of the nation's 2.2 million miles of pipeline are in New Mexico. The pipes carry natural gas, crude oil and refined oil products.

Both the House and Senate approved pipeline bills this year, and an agreement on pipelines was reached this fall as part of a comprehensive energy bill. Senators adopted a stand-alone bill after negotiations on the energy bill collapsed this week.