Jun. 10, 2020
HARRISBURG – Rep. Chris Quinn’s (R-Delaware) bill that would require that pipeline companies carrying natural gas liquids through highly populated areas to provide emergency response plans to local emergency management providers passed unanimously in the House on Wednesday.
House Bill 2293 would require a pipeline operator to provide their emergency response plans to the secretary of the Public Utility Commission, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency director for each county where the pipeline runs through a densely populated area.
“Communication is critical for any response, especially when public safety is at risk,” Quinn said. “Too often, communication between pipeline operators and our local emergency management professionals breaks down, so this critical legislation will ensure everyone has the information they need to properly respond should an issue arise. Pipelines traverse through very populated areas of Delaware County and ensuring public safety in those areas must be our top priority.”
Since there are serious security concerns around pipelines, the bill would ensure all officials who review the response plan must adhere to the Public Utility Confidential Security Information Disclosure Protection Act. Any pipeline operators who do not comply with the proposed law would be subject to enforcement action from the Public Utility Commission.
“This bill is a great step to ensuring that our emergency responders know the best approach to dealing with an issue concerning our existing pipeline infrastructure,” Quinn said. “While there is more that we can do to ensure safety, this is a clear move in the right direction.”
The bill will now go to the Senate for approval.
Representative Chris Quinn
168th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rene Morrow
717.260.6273
rmorrow@pahousegop.com
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