A bill to allow for the use of risk-based inspections for in-service breakout tanks.
- Bill Number
- S. 2661
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-01: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-18T20:06:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to modernize pipeline safety inspections by allowing a more flexible, risk-focused approach for certain storage tanks associated with pipelines, potentially reducing regulatory burdens while maintaining safety standards.
Key Provisions
- Permission for Risk-Based Inspections: Starting on the date the law is enacted, owners or operators of pipeline facilities (defined as systems for transporting hazardous liquids or gases) can use risk-based inspections to meet federal inspection requirements for "in-service breakout tanks." These are tanks that store excess pipeline contents during surges or breaks and are actively in use.
- Regulatory Update Requirement: The Secretary of Transportation, through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), must promptly revise Section 195.432 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (which governs pipeline operations) to explicitly permit these risk-based inspections.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Current federal regulations under Title 49 of the U.S. Code (Chapter 601) and related rules in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Chapter 195) typically require fixed-schedule inspections for pipeline components, including breakout tanks.
- This bill introduces an alternative: risk-based inspections, which assess and prioritize based on factors like tank condition, location, and potential hazards, rather than uniform timelines. This shifts from a one-size-fits-all model to a tailored one, but still requires compliance with overall safety standards.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: PHMSA will need to develop and implement new rules, potentially streamlining oversight by focusing resources on higher-risk areas, though it may require initial administrative effort.
- On Citizens: Could enhance pipeline safety in high-risk scenarios by allowing targeted inspections, reducing the chance of leaks or failures that affect communities. However, if not implemented carefully, it might raise concerns about reduced oversight in lower-risk areas.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as this focuses on domestic pipeline regulation; it may indirectly support U.S. energy infrastructure reliability, which could influence trade in energy resources.
- Broader Effects: Pipeline operators may face lower compliance costs and operational flexibility, potentially benefiting energy affordability for consumers, while environmental risks from pipelines could be better managed through risk prioritization.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Pipeline Owners and Operators: Primary beneficiaries, gaining options for efficient inspections to avoid downtime and costs associated with rigid schedules.
- Federal Agencies: PHMSA and the Department of Transportation, responsible for rulemaking and enforcement.
- Communities and Environmental Groups: Those near pipelines, who may see improved safety targeting but could advocate for strong risk-assessment criteria to prevent incidents.
- Energy Sector: Broader industry players, including oil and gas transporters, who rely on compliant infrastructure.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with existing authority under the Pipeline Safety Act by amending regulations without overhauling the core statutory framework, ensuring inspections remain mandatory but adaptable. It promotes administrative efficiency under the Administrative Procedure Act for rulemaking.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; it supports federal commerce regulation under the Commerce Clause by standardizing interstate pipeline safety.
- Political: Represents a deregulatory approach to infrastructure, potentially appealing to industry and efficiency-focused policymakers, but may draw scrutiny from safety advocates concerned about weakening protections. As an introduced bill (S. 2661, 119th Congress), it requires committee review and bicameral approval to become law.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-01: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-08-01: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To allow for the use of risk-based inspections for in-service breakout tanks. — issued 2025-08-01 — PDF (2 pages)