State Senate urges Congress to toughen pipeline-safety rules

by The Associated Press

Washington state lawmakers have urged the federal government to give states stronger oversight of underground pipelines that carry billions of gallons of fuel through the heart of communities.

The state Senate unanimously approved Senate Joint Memorial 8017 Feb. 9 in response to last year’s pipeline explosion in Bellingham that killed three people.

“While the accident in June happened in Bellingham, there’s an accident waiting to happen in your community as well,” said Sen. Georgia Gardner, D-Blaine.

The explosion raised awareness in Washington and nationwide that “we’ve been very lax with our pipeline standards,” added Sen. Harriet Spanel, D-Bellingham.

Federal law prohibits states from adopting safety or environmental standards for pipelines, which are overseen by the U.S. Transportation Department’s Office of Pipeline Safety.

The non-binding resolution asks Congress to amend the federal Pipeline Safety Act to allow states to adopt and enforce standards that are tougher than federal ones. The measure, which is expected to be endorsed by the House, also highlights the need for more money to enforce pipeline safety and respond to emergencies.