Cantwell Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Close Pipeline Safety Gaps

Cantwell Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Close Pipeline Safety Gaps

Last 2 years were deadliest for pipeline safety since 2015, including fatal Toppenish natural gas explosion; WA is home to 46,000 miles of pipelines; PIPELINE Act of 2025 addresses key concerns raised by Cantwell at recent hearings, including raising civil penalties & strengthening cybersecurity

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced the bipartisan PIPELINE Act of 2025 to address known safety risks, close gaps in the transportation of underregulated carbon dioxide and hydrogen pipelines, and improve the accountability of pipeline operators.

The legislation reauthorizes the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration through September 2030. It's cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Gary Peters (D-MI), ranking member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety; and Todd Young (R-IN).

"We just had the deadliest two-year period in pipeline safety since 2015," said Sen. Cantwell. "Clearly, we need a more proactive approach to the safe transportation of our nation's energy products, including the 46,000 miles of pipeline in Washington state. This bill does just that by increasing civil penalties by 50 percent, eliminating gaps in hydrogen and carbon dioxide pipeline requirements, and requiring permanent cybersecurity standards for pipeline operators."

"This bipartisan pipeline safety bill introduced today contains critical provisions that will save lives," said Bill Caram, executive director of the Bellingham-based Pipeline Safety Trust. "The Aldyl-A requirement is particularly important - we've been calling for action on this dangerous plastic pipe material for years. The deadly UGI Utilities explosion at the R.M. Palmer candy factory in West Reading, PA that killed seven people was caused by an Aldyl-A failure. In another incident likely caused by Aldyl-A last fall, a 15-year-old boy was killed when his home exploded in South Jordan, Utah. This bill would finally require operators to locate all Aldyl-A piping in their systems. It's a common-sense requirement that's long overdue. No family should have to endure the senseless grief that comes from a preventable pipeline tragedy. We thank Senator Cantwell and Senator Cruz for their leadership, and look forward to working with Congress to get this bill passed, and will continue pushing for the safety improvements our communities deserve."

LEARN MORE:

1. KIMA 29: Toppenish natural gas explosion: One dead, another injured as restoration efforts continue in four cities within Yakima County
2. KIRO 7: King Co. Sheriff's Office: 'Over 7 million cubic feet of methane gas' leaked in unincorporated area of Redmond
3. KOMO 4: Gas leak from Olympic Pipeline closes Conway school, creates environmental concerns

Over the last 20 years, pipeline incidents have resulted in 257 deaths, more than 1,000 injuries, and have caused over $11 billion in damages nationwide. In addition to immediately increasing the civil penalties that operators face from $260,000 per day for violations (with a maximum of $2.6 million for a series of violations), up to $400,000 per day, with a maximum of $4 million per series of violations, the legislation also addresses key concerns that Sen. Cantwell raised at a recent hearing, including:

• Cybersecurity: Sen. Cantwell has a long history pushing both Democratic and Republican Administrations to do more to protect our nation's pipelines from cyber-attacks, including at a recent July 16, 2025 hearing. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities can cause significant disruptions to our nation's energy infrastructure. The Transportation Security Administration put in place cybersecurity requirements for pipeline operators following the Colonial Pipeline attack in 2023 which expire in May 2026. This bill would make them permanent.
• Aldyl-A Concerns: Sen. Cantwell raised concerns about the risks Aldyl-A pose to pipeline systems at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on May 15, 2025. Aldyl-A, a plastic material used in distribution pipelines during the 1970s, has been linked to multiple pipeline failures, including the 2023 factory explosion in West Reading, PA that killed seven people. The bill would require operators to identify how much of the plastic is in their system and begin efforts to rip it out. (Sen. Cantwell's questions start at 1:35:55)
• Landslide and Earthquake Risks: Sen. Cantwell also raised concerns that despite the Pacific Northwest being one of the most earthquake prone parts of the United States, PHMSA's only has voluntary guidance on addressing these risks. The bill requires operators to proactively ensure they are mitigating the risks of earthquakes and landslides and inspecting their system after they occur to ensure that safety has not been compromised. (Sen. Cantwell's questions start at 1:35:55)
• Pipeline Safety Trust: The bill increases funding for the Pipeline Safety Trust by $250,000 a year, doubling federal funding for the Bellingham nonprofit by 2030.

The bill also requires proactive actions to address additional well-known safety risks, including:

• Updating Potential Impact Radius Calculations: Pipeline regulations are based on the risk pipelines pose to surrounding communities. To estimate this, operators use a standard formula set by PHMSA to calculate how many houses and businesses fall within a pipeline's "potential impact radius." This bill requires PHMSA to study past incidents, determine the actual impact radius of accidents, and update requirements to better reflect real-world risks.
• Implementing Automatic Gas Shutoff During House Fires: During a house fire, natural gas can intensify the blaze if the system continues to feed gas into the home. The bill requires PHMSA to set new standards requiring utilities to install automatic shutoff devices that stop gas flow during a fire.
• Addressing Hydrogen Blending in Natural Gas Pipelines: Some natural gas utilities are starting to blend hydrogen into their natural gas pipeline systems to potentially reduce emissions. However, these natural gas systems were designed to transport methane, not hydrogen. This bill will require operators to report to PHMSA if they are intentionally blending. This bill also directs PHMSA to enlist the help of our nation's preeminent research institutions - the national laboratories - to study potential risks of hydrogen blending and then update federal safety standards to address any identified safety risks.
• Addressing Carbon Dioxide Pipelines: Most carbon dioxide pipelines are currently regulated as liquid pipelines because CO2 is transported in a liquid-like state. This bill requires PHMSA to issue safety standards specific to CO2 pipelines, including requirements that account for the risks of CO2 traveling after a release.
• Strengthening State Inspection Programs: States conduct roughly 80% of pipeline inspections nationwide. This bill increases funding by 20% for state inspection programs compared to the last authorization, ensuring state partners have the resources needed to maintain rigorous oversight.

Sen. Cantwell has also been a vocal advocate about the need to hold pipeline operators accountable. In May she sent a letter to Deputy Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator Ben Kochman demanding answers on why the Trump Administration had stopped enforcing pipeline safety laws.

A section by section of the bill can be found HERE, the bill text is HERE and a one pager highlighting the key safety provisions of the PIPELINE Act of 2025 can be found HERE.