Summary#
This bill, the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, makes many changes to federal pipeline safety law. It adds climate and transition considerations to safety rulemaking. It requires new safety rules and reviews for gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines and for underground gas storage. The bill requires operators to provide more public safety information online, report blended or contaminated products, and follow stricter incident reporting for gas releases. It creates an Office of Public Engagement inside the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to help communities, especially environmental justice and low-income communities. The bill also requires rupture isolation (within a 30‑minute standard) in many high consequence areas, sets deadlines for multiple rulemakings, extends and adds funding for a natural gas modernization grant program, and expands private civil actions and penalties to enforce pipeline safety standards.
What it means for you#
- If you live near pipelines or underground gas storage, operators must publish safety data, emergency plans, and contact information on public websites and send annual notifications to nearby residents and responders.
- Communities, including environmental justice and low-income communities, are eligible for proactive outreach, translated information, and assistance through a new Office of Public Engagement.
- Pipeline operators must report blended products that exceed 1% by volume, provide detailed safety information on request, and meet new incident-reporting rules for gas releases and other serious incidents.
- Operators of pipelines in high consequence areas must demonstrate they can isolate ruptured segments (with a 30‑minute target) or request a time-limited waiver that involves local consultation and review.
- Carbon dioxide pipeline operators must follow new safety rules and reporting requirements; regulators must complete rulemaking on CO2 pipeline safety and related standards within set deadlines.
- Individuals and organizations may bring civil lawsuits in federal court to enforce safety standards, orders, or to require the Secretary to perform nondiscretionary duties under the chapter.
Expenses#
- The bill authorizes $12,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to carry out the Office of Public Engagement (section 108(h) of title 49).
- It authorizes $200,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program, with each year’s funds to remain available for specified multi-year periods.
- The bill requires that not less than 20 percent of certain grant funds be used for non-emitting alternatives.
- The bill authorizes “such sums as are necessary” for carrying out certain technical safety committee provisions.
- No publicly available information on total estimated cost to the federal government or long-term budget effects beyond the amounts explicitly authorized in the bill text.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.