API applauds House passage of new pipeline safety legislation
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2016 – The American Petroleum Institute welcomed the House passage of new pipeline safety legislation that will enhance industry’s goal of zero incidents.
“The oil and natural gas industry is committed to safety and zero incidents,” said API Executive Vice President Louis Finkel. “We continue to take the lead in protecting the public and the environment. API has released several new standards, and operators continue to spend billions of dollars every year to evaluate, inspect, and maintain pipelines.”
The U.S. has approximately 320,000 miles of natural gas interstate pipelines and 190,000 miles of liquid interstate pipelines, which combined can circle the Earth more than 20 times. Natural gas and liquids interstate pipelines deliver 99.999 percent of product without incident, but pipeline operators recognize more can be done to ensure that the U.S. continues to have the safest, most robust pipeline network in the world.
“As domestic production grows, pipelines will be the critical link to connect our abundant oil and natural gas resources to refineries, chemical plants, business and consumers,” said Finkel.
API thanked bipartisan leaders in the House for safeguarding our energy infrastructure so that Americans can continue to enjoy the reliable, affordable fuels they need to power their daily lives.
“The bill will enhance safety, improve transparency of PHMSA’s rulemaking process, shorten inspection reporting time, and improve workforce management.”
API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 650 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 30 million Americans.