"The tragic explosion in San Bruno shows why we must increase inspections of our nation's pipelines," Boxer said in a Wednesday statement. "This legislation will put more inspectors on the job protecting our communities while increasing penalties for safety violations."
The bill, "The Strengthening Pipeline Safety and Enforcement Act of 2010," will be drawn from legislation proposed Wednesday by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Feinstein said they would "carefully" go over the legislation proposed by LaHood, "retain the best parts, and introduce it as quickly as possible."
Key points will include -- increasing the maximum fine for serious violations that involve deaths, injuries or major environmental harm to $2.5 million from the current $1 million, authorizing the addition of 40 more inspection and enforcement personnel over four years and expanding Department of Transportation jurisdiction to now-unregulated pipelines, including those
that transport biofuels and carbon dioxide.
The legislation follows the rupture of a Pacific Gas & Electric 30-inch diameter transmission line and resulting fire last week that killed four people, injured dozens and badly damaged or destroyed 49 properties, the senators said.
China Chemical Weekly: http://news.chemnet.com/en/detail-1411716.html
