Review - S 2979 Introduced – Pipeline Safety Information Sharing

Last month, Sen Moran (R,KS) introduced S 2979, the PHMSA Voluntary Information Sharing Act. The bill would require DOT to “establish a confidential voluntary information-sharing to encourage the sharing of pipeline safety data and information in order to improve the safety of gas transmission pipelines, gas distribution pipelines, liquefied natural gas facilities, underground natural gas storage facilities, and hazardous liquid pipelines.” The bill would authorize DOT to collect an additional $5,000,000 in user fees under 49 USC 60301 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027 to establish, implement, and manage the VIS.

S 2979 is be similar to HR 6509, the Voluntary Information-Sharing System Act, that was introduced in the House by Rep Molinaro (R,NY) in November 2023. No further action was taken on that bill in the House in the 118^th Congress. There are changes in language formatting and editorial changes made for clarity. Two significant changes include adding definitions in the new bill, and changing the funding authorization model for the new VIS program.

The bill would add a new §60144, Voluntary information-sharing system, to 49 USC. It would require DOT to establish the VIS program. PHMSA would be required to appoint a Governing Board while providing a Program Manager to oversee the day-to-day operation of the Program. A Third-Party Data Manager shall provide data management and data oversight services for the VIS. Issue Analysis Teams would perform the actual work of aggregating, analyzing and reporting on de-identified pipeline safety data and information accepted by the VIS.

Moving Forward

Moran, and his sole cosponsor {Sen Duckworth (D,IL)}, are members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. There has been some industry opposition to the general concept of a directed safety information sharing process, particularly near-miss data, but this bill has attempted to address some of those concerns. Still, it is not clear if there has been enough emphasis on the voluntary nature of the information sharing to overcome industry objections. This bill is unlikely to move forward without clear industry support.

 

For more details about the provisions of this bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/s-2979-introduced-pipeline-safety - subscription required.