Spurred by a fatal pipeline explosion last month, the Senate has approved legislation that would tighten up regulatory and testing requirements for pipeline operators and sharply raise penalties for violations. The bill was approved unanimously on Sept. 7. There has been no action yet in the House.
The Senate measure would require the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, which regulates pipeline safety, to implement recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board and DOT's own Inspector General. It also would mandate that operators do periodic inspections of their pipelines' integrity, including "internal inspections, pressure testing, direct assesment or other effective methods."