Washington, D.C. - This morning increased pipeline safety standards were agreed to in the U.S. House-Senate Energy Conference Committee.  U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen was pleased to learn that many of the pipeline safety standards in his bill, for which he advocated, were included in the agreement.  

“Year after year, pipeline safety improvements have been shot down by Congress,” Larsen said.  “Finally, public interest is prevailing.”

The agreement, which is part of the nation’s energy bill, increases penalty fines; improves operator qualifications; provides whistle blower protection; improves pipeline testing timelines; and allows for state oversight.

Earlier in the year, Larsen was solely responsible for adding a new provision that authorizes $6 million for local emergency responders to train and prepare for pipeline related accidents.  That authorization remains in the agreement.

Larsen said, “The House and Senate are finally working together and improved pipeline safety standards will be the result.  Communities across the nation will benefit from this cooperation.”  

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