# Pipeline Accountability, Safety, and Environmental Standards Act of 2024
This bill significantly strengthens federal regulation of natural gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines. It creates new safety standards, requires pipelines to disclose more information to the public, and establishes stronger enforcement mechanisms.
The legislation establishes an Office of Public Engagement within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to help communities affected by pipelines understand safety risks and file complaints. Pipelines must now disclose safety data, incident histories, and emergency response plans to the public through accessible websites and annual notifications to residents near high-risk segments. The bill requires pipelines to isolate ruptured segments within 30 minutes in sensitive areas, or seek waivers that must be renewed every 5 years and reviewed after significant incidents.
For carbon dioxide pipelines, which have limited current safety standards, the Secretary must develop comprehensive safety regulations within two years covering design, construction, and emergency response. The bill bars hydrogen blending into natural gas systems until Congress explicitly authorizes it through new legislation, pending a federal study of safety risks. It also extends a natural gas infrastructure modernization grant program through 2031 with $1 billion in total funding, requiring that at least 20 percent support non-emitting alternatives like electrification and renewable energy projects.
The bill strengthens accountability by allowing private citizens to sue pipeline operators and the federal government for safety violations, expanding what counts as reportable incidents, and requiring operators to prevent releases that would trigger incident reporting. These changes apply to both new and existing pipelines, giving regulators broader authority to impose safety requirements retroactively.
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