Pipeline Safety Act of 1992

Summary

Pipeline Safety Act of 1991 - Amends the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 and the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 to require Federal safety standards for the transportation of gas and hazardous liquids through pipelines to meet the need for protection of the environment as well as pipeline safety. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations establishing criteria for the identification by operators of: (1) gas pipelines (except natural gas distribution lines) that are located in high-density population areas; and (2) hazardous liquid pipelines and gathering lines that are located in areas unusually sensitive to environmental damage, that cross a river, or that are located in high-density population areas. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations requiring a periodic instrumented internal inspection of such pipelines and gathering lines. Directs the Secretary to develop an instrumented internal inspection device (smart pig) capable of detecting potential seam failures, including those in electric resistance weld pipe. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a report on the status of the development of such device. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations prescribing the circumstance under which operators of natural gas distribution systems must install excess flow valves in such systems. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirements. Revises the composition of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and the Technical Hazardous-Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee to include on such committees two members who have education, background, or experience in environmental protection. Makes the application of Federal safety standards for the transportation of gas and hazardous liquids by pipeline mandatory with respect to the design, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and construction of such pipelines. (Currently, such application is discretionary only.) Requires such standards to include a requirement that operators of such pipelines be tested and certified to recognize and appropriately react to abnormal operating conditions of pipelines which may indicate a dangerous situation or a condition exceeding design limits. Prohibits the Secretary from exempting from Federal safety standards for the transportation of hazardous liquids any pipeline solely on the basis that such pipeline operates at low internal stress. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a schedule of fees based on, in the case of pipelines not in operation, the performance of activities by the Secretary of Transportation under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 or the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 in preparation for the operation of such pipelines. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations establishing a periodic inspection program for: (1) all offshore gas and hazardous liquid pipelines; and (2) other such pipelines which cross navigable waters and could pose a hazard to navigation or public safety. Prohibits the Secretary from exempting from regulation under this Act any offshore pipeline solely on the basis that such pipeline serves to transfer hazardous liquids in underwater pipelines between vessels and onshore facilities. Redefines the term "transportation of gas" to include the movement of gas and hazardous liquids through regulated gathering lines. Directs the Secretary to define by regulation the term "gathering lines". Revises specified reporting requirements with respect to State safety standards regarding pipeline transportation of gas and hazardous liquids. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to revise the definition of "underground storage tank". Authorizes appropriations.

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Documents

6 official files

• Reported in House (text)

  Reported in House · EN

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• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 15 September 1992

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• Reported to House amended, Part II

  summary · EN · 27 July 1992

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• Reported to House amended, Part I

  summary · EN · 8 October 1991

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 19 March 1991

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