Washington, D.C. - Today Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Jennifer Dunn (WA-08) will introduce the bipartisan Pipeline Safety Act of 2001.  The Dunn-Larsen bill will serve as a catalyst for Congress to move forward with pipeline safety.

“Pipeline safety has been at a standstill because of partisan politics.  It’s time to put rhetoric behind us and move forward with substantive improvements in pipeline safety,” said Larsen. 

Larsen continued, “I didn’t come to Congress to sit around and wait for something to happen; I came to strengthen pipeline safety standards. It’s time for Congress to get the car started and out of the garage.”   

The Dunn-Larsen Pipeline Safety Act of 2001increases state oversight for training and qualification plans for pipeline operators and includes a certification program, ensuring pipeline operators are fully qualified and well trained.  It requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish, within one year, a training program for pipeline operators.  It also requires the Secretary to respond to state and citizen advisory council recommendations within ninety days.  Additionally, pipeline inspections will be required at least once every five years. 

Dunn added, “The public’s faith in our system of ensuring safe pipelines has waned, and it’s up to us as elected officials to restore a sense of security for those who live near them.  More must be done, however, to restore the public’s confidence in the safety of our pipelines.”

Larsen sits on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation, which oversees the Office of Pipeline Safety.