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WASHINGTON, D.C. – This afternoon, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) chaired the ninth hearing of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security. Today’s hearing was the committee’s second on the safe inspection and management of our nation’s pipeline network. Senator Fischer released the following statement after concluding this afternoon’s hearing: “America’s pipelines move critical energy resources to homes and businesses across Nebraska and throughout the country. Today, we heard from industry stakeholders on best practices and the challenges facing our pipeline infrastructure. While our pipelines have been lauded as the safest way to transport energy, Congress must continue robust oversight over this important network. I look forward to continuing this open dialogue as the committee moves to consider bipartisan pipeline safety legislation in the weeks to come.” Today’s hearing, entitled “Pipeline Safety: Oversight of our Nation’s Pipeline Network,” focused specifically on the transportation of natural gas across America’s vast pipeline network. The hearing featured testimony from Christopher Hart, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); Susan Fleming, director of physical infrastructure at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and representatives of pipeline inspections technology and pipeline operators. On September 18, Senator Fischer chaired a field hearing of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee in Billings, Montana on the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Click here to view text of Senator Fischer’s opening statement. # # # |
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