S. 2979 establishes a confidential, voluntary system that allows pipeline operators and safety stakeholders to share safety data and lessons learned without fear of legal consequences or regulatory punishment. The system will be governed by a 15-member board representing federal and state agencies, the pipeline industry, and public safety advocacy groups, supported by a third-party data manager that will aggregate and analyze the shared information. Strict confidentiality protections prevent information submitted to the system from being disclosed or used in litigation against pipeline operators, except in limited cases involving criminal evidence or information already publicly reported. The bill provides $5 million annually through 2027 to establish and operate the program while directing the Department of Transportation to develop sustainable long-term funding sources. This approach aims to improve pipeline safety by encouraging open information sharing among industry and regulators.
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