Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act.

As has been mentioned, a majority of the Nation's pipeline system is more than 60 years old. With this magnitude of aging pipelines operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it is inevitable that without new inspection and leak detection technologies, catastrophic defects and anomalies will occur more frequently.

Too often we are confronted with news of pipeline failures that cause mass casualties, environmental disasters, damage property, and service interruptions for thousands. There is much that industry can do to secure their assets while contributing to the development of next generation pipelines.

H.R. 7073 seeks to prevent future infrastructure failure and improve pipeline safety and technology through innovation. This bill will improve the work of the DOE and the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration by establishing a demonstration initiative that will help lab-scale, basic research overcome the ``valley of death'' and achieve commercial deployment. DOE, DOT, and NIST will also be empowered to work together in a joint pipeline research program.

Finally, it directs DOE to establish a national pipeline modernization center, a place for industry and Federal agencies to collaborate on pipeline research and development.

What we have in front of us is much-needed harm reduction legislation. I extend my congratulations to Mr. Weber and Dr. Caraveo and my appreciation for their hard work on this legislation. It is a good bill. I support it, and I encourage others, as well, to support it.

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Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate, indeed, to have Dr. Caraveo as a Member of our House with her keen intellect and pragmatic approach to solving America's problems.

I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Caraveo).

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Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I urge that we support and enact this good bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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