Review – S 2660 Introduced – Pipeline Risk-Based Safety

Earlier this month, Sen Curtis (R,UT) introduced S 2660, the Modern Risk Detection Act of 2025. This bill would amend 49 USC 60102, which establishes the purpose and general authority for the DOT’s pipeline safety regulations. The legislation would require the adoption of risk based standards in the PSR to the maximum extent practicable. No new funding is authorized.

Moving Forward

Curtis is a Sub-Committee Chair in the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there should be sufficient influence to see this bill considered in Committee. I suspect that the Democrats will generally oppose this bill as ‘risk-based approaches’ are frequently seen by them as a means for the regulated community to avoid strict enforcement of regulations. Still there should be sufficient influence to see this bill reported favorably by the Committee. This bill is not, however, politically important enough to be considered under regular order in the Senate and it would not survive an attempt at passage under the unanimous consent process. The best way for this bill to move forward would be for it to be added to a larger piece of legislation that would be considered under regular order.

 

For more information on the provisions of this bill, including an alternate method of achieving a risk-based approach to the Pipeline Safety Regulations, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/s-2660-introduced-pipeline-risk-based - subscription required.