House of Representatives Approves Stronger Programs to Prevent Pipeline Excavation Damage, Passes Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2006

Washington, D.C. – The American Gas Association (AGA) tonight praised action by members of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2006, which provides funding and direction for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s pipeline safety oversight programs. In addition, the legislation would provide new funding to strengthen excavation damage prevention programs, which enhance the safety of the nation’s 2.2 million miles of America’s natural gas pipelines. The measure was approved by unanimous voice vote in the House and now goes to the Senate for a vote. If approved by the Senate, the measure proceeds to the President’s desk for signature.  
 
“This legislation is a significant step in protecting natural gas distribution pipelines from damage by third party excavators,” said David N. Parker, president and CEO of AGA. “We applaud Representatives Young, Oberstar, Dingell and Barton for their extraordinary leadership in the House identifying and working to reduce the risk of hits on utility pipelines by outside parties.”
 
The legislation contains provisions and financial incentives to encourage states to adopt excavation damage prevention programs that contain the same elements as programs that have proved extremely successful in Minnesota and Virginia. According to U.S. Department of Transportation safety statistics, the number of serious incidents caused by third party excavators hitting utility lines has more than doubled in the last four years.   
 
“We commend Congress for producing a law that will make a measurable impact on the safety of pipelines,” said Parker. “We look forward to a vote in the Senate on this legislation, so that it can go to the President for signature and states can soon begin to develop more effective damage prevention programs.”
 
The bill also contains a provision that mandates the installation of excess flow valves (EFVs) on new service lines or entirely replaced service lines serving single-family homes.

Natural gas utilities operate 1.9 million miles of distribution pipeline (another 300,000 miles of natural gas pipeline are transmission lines) and serve 63 million residential customers. The industry spends an estimated $6 billion each year to maintain the system's excellent safety record.