# Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2024
This bill updates federal pipeline safety regulations while expanding pipeline construction and operation capabilities. It affects pipeline operators, pipeline workers, the general public living near pipelines, and energy consumers.
**Key Safety Changes:** The bill strengthens pipeline safety standards by requiring carbon dioxide pipelines to implement vapor dispersion modeling to identify areas at risk from releases, mandates worker and public safety zones during pipeline construction and repair, and increases penalties for safety violations. It establishes a new voluntary information-sharing system where pipeline operators can confidentially report safety data and lessons learned without that information being used against them in enforcement actions.
**Pipeline Modernization and Expansion:** The bill streamlines permitting for new pipelines by allowing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue federal authorizations for pipeline projects if state or local authorities don't act within one year. It also limits requirements for operators to retest the pressure capacity of older gas pipelines if historical testing records exist.
**Funding:** The bill authorizes $150 million annually for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 from pipeline fees for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline programs, with $75 million dedicated to grants. An additional $28 million annually comes from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for hazardous liquid programs.
**Additional Requirements:** The bill directs studies on hydrogen-blended gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas facility regulation, requires states to adopt excavation damage prevention practices, and mandates regular reporting on outstanding pipeline safety regulations.
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