API’s new bill: “committed to pipeline safety and zero incidents”

The American Petroleum Institute (API) welcomed the House passage of new pipeline safety legislation that will enhance industry’s goal of zero incidents.

“The oil and natural gas industry is committed to safety and zero incidents,” said API Executive Vice President Louis Finkel. “We continue to take the lead in protecting the public and the environment. API has released several new standards, and operators continue to spend billions of dollars every year to evaluate, inspect and maintain pipelines.”

The US has approximately 320 000 miles of natural gas interstate pipelines and 190 000 miles of liquid interstate pipelines, which combined can circle the earth more than 20 times. Natural gas and liquids interstate pipelines deliver 99.999% of product without incident, but pipeline operators recognise more can be done to ensure that the US continues to have the safest, most robust pipeline network in the world.

“As domestic production grows, pipelines will be the critical link to connect our abundant oil and natural gas resources to refineries, chemical plants, business and consumers,” said Finkel.

API thanked bipartisan leaders in the House for safeguarding US energy infrastructure so that Americans can continue to enjoy the reliable, affordable fuels they need to power their daily lives.

“The bill will enhance safety, improve transparency of PHMSA’s rule-making process, shorten inspection reporting time, and improve workforce management.”

Edited from source by Stephanie Roker

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/regulations-and-standards/09062016/apis-new-bill-committed-to-pipeline-safety-and-zero-incidents/