Washington, DC – The American Gas Association (AGA) today commended the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for passing S. 275, the Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Safety Act of 2011. The bill was originally introduced by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, and Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
“Pipeline safety is the highest priority for all AGA member utility companies and the passage of this bill represents a constructive first step towards reauthorization of the pipeline safety program,” said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of AGA. “Democrat and Republican lawmakers worked across party lines to address a number of key issues, and they all deserve credit for passing this important legislation and presenting the full Senate with the opportunity to do the same.”
Throughout the United States, natural gas is delivered to customers through a safe, 2.4 million mile underground pipeline system. This vital transportation network includes 2.1 million miles of local utility distribution pipeline and 302,000 miles of transmission pipeline, and provides natural gas to 70 million residential, commercial and industrial customers.
AGA looks forward to working with Sen. Lautenberg and Sen. Rockefeller as they continue to develop a final bill that will receive broad support.