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# Summary The Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and Environmental Standards Act of 2024 is comprehensive pipeline safety legislation that strengthens federal oversight of gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines. The bill requires the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to establish an Office of Public Engagement within one year, staffed with a dedicated director to help communities understand pipeline risks, file complaints, and access safety information. It mandates that pipeline operators disclose safety data publicly, including pipeline locations, substances transported, and potential impact zones, with operators required to notify nearby residents annually. The bill establishes new safety requirements, including rules requiring pipelines in high-consequence areas to isolate ruptured segments within 30 minutes, stricter carbon dioxide pipeline standards, and regulations for hydrogen blending in natural gas systems. It authorizes $1 billion in funding from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program, with at least 20 percent directed to non-fossil fuel alternatives. The legislation also strengthens enforcement by allowing citizens to sue for pipeline safety violations and increases penalties for violations. Additionally, it requires comprehensive studies on hydrogen blending safety and underground natural gas storage regulations within two years of enactment.

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