For Immediate Release
December 8, 2023
Contact: Benjamin Dierker, bdierker@aii.org
Aii Applauds Bipartisan Safety Commitment in PIPES Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 8, 2023) – The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) applauds the bipartisan work of the U.S House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for its advancement of the Pipeline Efficiency and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2023.
“These changes were adopted following a historically high number of annual excavation damage incidents posing an unacceptable risk to safety, and I applaud the visionary leadership of Chairman Sam Graves, Ranking Member Rick Larsen, and Subcommittee Chairman Troy Nehls for taking this important step,” said Aii Founder and former PHMSA head Brigham McCown. “This is a win for safety.”
In particular, the proposed language in the House version of the PIPES Act makes key commitments to protect human life, public safety, and infrastructure reliability with a renewed focus on reducing damage to buried infrastructure. This use of grant funding to encourage innovative technology and leading practices demonstrates that both Republicans and Democrats on the committee are focused on keeping safety as the cornerstone of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
As stakeholder groups seek ways to reduce excavation damage through the 811 Call Before You Dig program, the PIPES Act will help ensure that financial support and awareness are provided through grants that prioritize best practices like electronic white-lining, geographic information systems, and enhanced positive response in the course of locating buried facilities and conducting safe excavation work.
Aii looks forward to the bill passing the full House of Representatives and moving on to the Senate to complete this commitment to safety.
To learn more about the bill, visit here.
To read more about Aii and damage prevention, visit www.Aii.org.
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The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) is an independent, national research and educational organization. The nation’s only think tank dedicated to infrastructure, Aii explores the intersection of economics, law, and public policy in the areas of climate, damage prevention, energy, infrastructure, innovation, technology, and transportation. (Aii.org)