Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 11, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke testifies on need for increased pipeline safety

OLYMPIA — In written testimony offered today in Washington, D.C., Gov. Gary Locke called for tougher federal laws to ensure strong, thorough and consistent enforcement of pipeline safety requirements.

Locke offered his comments to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on reauthorization of the Pipeline Safety Act. The committee had held a public field hearing on the same topic in March in Bellingham, the site of a pipeline explosion last June that claimed the lives of three young people.

"The tragedy in Bellingham has focused tremendous public attention on the need to ensure that pipeline safety laws, regulations and practices at the state, federal and local levels are as effective as they can be," Locke said. "Washington communities, government agencies and others involved in gas and hazardous liquid transportation have made pipeline safety one of their highest priorities."

U.S. Senator Patty Murray introduced the governor's testimony on his behalf.

Locke said the federal law should, at a minimum:

Increase states' ability to oversee pipeline operator activities and compliance. Locke said states must be able to develop and impose standards that may be more stringent than federal standards without interfering with interstate commerce.

Require state-of-the-art safety standards to construct, test, operate and maintain pipelines, and increase standards for certifying pipeline operators.

Hold federal regulators accountable by ensuring an effective and independent mechanism for oversight of their pipeline safety activities.

Ensure communities and their residents can get accurate and timely information about pipelines in their area.

Provide adequate funding for increased state involvement and enforcement in pipeline safety efforts and for needed technology research.

During the recent legislative session, the Washington Legislature passed, and the governor signed, a law to improve the state's commitment to a strong and effective pipeline safety program. The "Pipeline Safety Act" strengthens existing programs and requires more coordination between industry, government and the public on issues involving pipeline safety.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) now has the authority and responsibility to administer the new law. The UTC is working with the federal Office of Pipeline Safety on the terms of an agreement that would give the state new authority to inspect interstate pipelines passing through the state of Washington.

The state has 20,000 miles of underground pipelines that carry fossil fuels. Of that, 2,500 miles are interstate pipelines.

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