Review - S 4248 Introduced – PROTECT Our Great Lakes Act

Last week, Sen Peters (D,MI) introduced S 4248, the Preventing Releases of Toxic Environmental Contaminants Threatening (PROTECT) Our Great Lakes Act. This bill addresses four separate policy issues:

• PHMSA employee pay rates,

• Oil spill response plans,

• Pipeline monitoring and control, and

• Acceptance of gifts supporting oil spill impact research

Peters is a member of 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. Other than covering too many disparate issues in a single bill, I see nothing in this bill that would engender any organized opposition. Unfortunately, there would be some opposition for provisions in individual sections of the bill that, when combined, could prevent this bill from being approved in Committee.

For more details about the provisions of the bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/s-4248-introduced - subscription required.

Bills Introduced – 5-18-22

Yesterday, with both the House and Senate in session, there were 46 bills introduced. Two of those bills will receive additional coverage in this blog:

HR 7814 To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to health care providers to enhance the physical and cyber security of their facilities, personnel, and patients. Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

S 4248 A bill to enhance pipeline safety and oil spill preparedness and response, particularly in the Great Lakes Basin, and for other purposes. Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]