United States · Bill · S
S. 275 (112th)
Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011
Introduced
3 February 2011
Last action
21 October 2011 · Floor
Status
Held at the desk.
Sponsors
Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ], Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV], Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ], Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK], Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA], Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Subjects
Environment, Transport
Source updated
2 July 2025
Summary
Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 - Prescribes or revises requirements for safety and environmental protection in pipeline transportation. Defines the term "major consequence violation" to mean a violation that contributed to an incident resulting in: (1) one or more deaths or injuries or illnesses requiring in-patient hospitalization; or (2) environmental harm exceeding $250,000 in damage, including property loss (other than the value of natural gas or hazardous liquid lost or damage to pipeline equipment). Subjects to a civil penalty of $250,000 any person that the Secretary of Transportation has found to have committed a major consequence violation of a pipeline marking or excavation notification requirement, pipeline safety standard or regulation, or order. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on a person who obstructs or prevents an inspection or investigation of a gas pipeline or hazardous liquid pipeline. Prescribes a maximum civil penalty of $2.5 million for a related series of major consequence violations. Prohibits a state one-call notification program from exempting municipalities, state agencies, or their contractors from its one-call notification system requirements. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations subjecting offshore hazardous liquid gathering pipelines (except low-stress distribution pipelines) as well as those located within Gulf of Mexico inlets to the same standards and regulations as other hazardous liquid pipelines. Directs the Secretary to prescribe a regulation to require the use of automatic or remote-controlled shut-off valves (or equivalent technology) on pipelines. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to require the use of excess flow valves on new or entirely replaced distribution branch services, multi-family facilities, and small commercial facilities located in high-density population areas and environmentally sensitive areas. Directs the Secretary to evaluate specified questions with respect to integrity management safety system requirements. Requires the Secretary to maintain: (1) a monthly updated summary of all completed and final natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline inspections conducted by or reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), (2) an updated list of each gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operator's facility response plan, and (3) an updated map of all pipelines located in high consequence areas that are required to meet integrity management safety regulations. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the safety risks from both onshore and offshore pipelines to which federal pipeline safety requirements do not apply, including gathering lines. Directs the Secretary to update a report to Congress on leak detection systems used by operators of hazardous liquid pipelines and transportation-related flow lines. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations to establish time limits for accident and incident (i.e., spill or rupture) telephonic or electronic notification by pipeline operators to state and local government officials and emergency responders, and (2) review procedures for pipeline operators and the National Response Center to provide coordinated notification to all relevant emergency response officials and revise such procedures as appropriate. Revises national pipeline mapping system requirements to require each pipeline operator to provide the Secretary certain geospatial, technical, or other related pipeline data, including design and material specifications. Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities supporting the exchange of information with domestic and international organizations about the public and environmental risks from pipelines. Directs the Secretary to review and report to Congress on all exemptions for gas and hazardous liquid gathering lines. Authorizes the Secretary to collect geospatial, technical, or other pipeline data on transportation-related oil flow lines (pipelines transporting oil off the grounds of the well across areas not owned by the producer). Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to Alaska to achieve coordinated oversight of the construction, expansion, or operation of Alaskan pipeline systems. Authorizes the Secretary to require persons proposing the construction, expansion, or operation of certain new gas or hazardous liquid pipelines (including construction inspections and oversight) to pay the costs of pipeline design safety reviews the Secretary conducts. Establishes in the Treasury the Pipeline Safety Design Review Fund. Sets forth certain factors the Secretary shall consider in granting a pipeline operator's application for a waiver (for up to five years, reviewable) of any pipeline standard. Treats as a hazardous liquid any non-petroleum fuels, including biofuels that are flammable, toxic, or corrosive or would be harmful to the environment if released in significant quantities. Directs the Secretary to prescribe minimum safety standards for the pipeline transportation of carbon dioxide in gaseous form. Directs the Secretary to study whether hazardous liquid pipeline regulations are sufficient to regulate the transportation of tar sands crude oil by pipeline, including whether any increase in risk of release exists for pipelines transporting such oil. Directs the Secretary to study the transportation of non-petroleum hazardous liquids by pipeline, including the extent to which the safety of such lines is unregulated by states. Directs the Secretary to increase the number of PHMSA personnel by a total of 39 full-time employees to carry out the pipeline safety program.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
3 February 2011
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Source: IntroReferral
3 February 2011
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
5 May 2011
Reported
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
7 July 2011
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 96.
Source: Calendars
7 July 2011
Reported
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-30.
Source: Committee
7 July 2011
Reported
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-30.
Source: Committee
17 October 2011
Floor
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6613-6620)
Source: Floor
17 October 2011
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S6616-6620)
Source: Floor
18 October 2011
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
21 October 2011
Floor
Held at the desk.
Source: Floor
21 October 2011
Floor
Received in the House.
Source: Floor
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Engrossed in Senate · 17 October 2011 · Download file
- Reported to Senate · 7 July 2011 · Download file
- Introduced in Senate · 3 February 2011 · Download file
Documents
9 official files
Engrossed in Senate (text)
This file cannot be previewed here. Use View or Download.
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Engrossed in Senate (text)
Engrossed in Senate · EN · 17 October 2011
Engrossed in Senate (PDF)
Engrossed in Senate · EN · 17 October 2011
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 17 October 2011
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Reported to Senate (text)
Reported to Senate · EN · 7 July 2011
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Reported to Senate (PDF)
Reported to Senate · EN · 7 July 2011
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 7 July 2011
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 3 February 2011
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 3 February 2011
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 3 February 2011
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Sponsors
- Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] · D · Cosponsor
- · sscm00 · Standing
Related records
- related to → Pipeline Infrastructure and Community Protection Act of 2011
- amends ← To include the statutorily required PAYGO language.
- amends ← To provide for testing to confirm the material strength of previously untested natural gas transmission pipelines located in certain areas, and to update fiscal year references.
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/275
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/112/s/275
- us · 112-s-275 · source updated 2 July 2025