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Lawmakers Approve Pipeline Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives passed late on Tuesday legislation to reauthorize and strengthen federal safety programs for the 1.6 million miles of pipelines that transport oil, petroleum products and natural gas across the United States. The legislation, approved in a 423-to-4 vote, requires more safety inspections of oil and natural gas pipelines and boosts penalties against companies that fail to keep their pipelines in good condition. Under the House bill, current penalties of $25,000 would be increased to $100,000 against companies that fail to mark the location of pipelines at construction sites or fail to inspect and maintain their facilities. Copyright Reuters news agency |