Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 6187
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6187Transportation and Public Works
Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act of 2025
INTRO NOV 20· LAST ACTION NOV 21
READING
9MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it aims to reduce the risk of hazardous liquid pipeline accidents, which can have devastating consequences for communities and the environment. By providing funding for pipeline modernization, it could prevent future leaks and spills, protecting public safety and natural resources. The increased transparency about pipeline locations, safety records, and accident remediation status means that residents would be better informed and able to make more informed decisions about where they live and what risks are present.
If this bill becomes law, we could see fewer pipeline incidents, quicker responses when they do occur, and greater accountability from pipeline operators through financial penalties. If it doesn't pass, many hazardous liquid pipelines might continue to age without critical upgrades, public access to safety information could remain limited, and communities might not be as prepared or informed in the event of a pipeline emergency.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes a grant program for improving hazardous liquid pipeline safety and modernization.
This provides financial incentives for local entities to upgrade aging pipeline infrastructure, directly enhancing public safety and environmental protection.
PROVISION 02
Requires states to mandate real estate disclosures of nearby hazardous liquid pipeline easements for grant eligibility.
This increases transparency for property buyers about potential risks and infrastructure near their homes.
PROVISION 03
Mandates updates to the PHMSA website for easier access to accident details and remediation status updates.
This improves public access to critical safety information and increases accountability for pipeline operators.
PROVISION 04
Requires pipeline operators to establish localized emergency alert systems and improve community involvement in emergency plans.
This ensures that communities are promptly warned of leaks or incidents and are better integrated into emergency response efforts.
PROVISION 05
Implements an annual $2,500,000 penalty for operators following a declared leak or accident until remediation is complete.
This creates a strong financial incentive for operators to prevent incidents and to remediate them quickly.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
COMMITTEE
NOV 20
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
NOV 20
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill matters because it aims to reduce the risk of hazardous liquid pipeline accidents, which can have devastating consequences for communities and the environment. By providing funding for pipeline modernization, it could prevent future leaks and spills, protecting public safety and natural resources. The increased transparency about pipeline locations, safety records, and accident remediation status means that residents would be better informed and able to make more informed decisions about where they live and what risks are present.
If this bill becomes law, we could see fewer pipeline incidents, quicker responses when they do occur, and greater accountability from pipeline operators through financial penalties. If it doesn't pass, many hazardous liquid pipelines might continue to age without critical upgrades, public access to safety information could remain limited, and communities might not be as prepared or informed in the event of a pipeline emergency.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a grant program for improving hazardous liquid pipeline safety and modernization.
This provides financial incentives for local entities to upgrade aging pipeline infrastructure, directly enhancing public safety and environmental protection.
high
Requires states to mandate real estate disclosures of nearby hazardous liquid pipeline easements for grant eligibility.
This increases transparency for property buyers about potential risks and infrastructure near their homes.
med
Mandates updates to the PHMSA website for easier access to accident details and remediation status updates.
This improves public access to critical safety information and increases accountability for pipeline operators.
high
Requires pipeline operators to establish localized emergency alert systems and improve community involvement in emergency plans.
This ensures that communities are promptly warned of leaks or incidents and are better integrated into emergency response efforts.
high
Implements an annual $2,500,000 penalty for operators following a declared leak or accident until remediation is complete.
This creates a strong financial incentive for operators to prevent incidents and to remediate them quickly.
Operator of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility that declares a leak, accident, incident, or failure.
administrative
Double the standard penalty (amount not specified in provided text)
Operator who does not declare a leak, accident, incident, or failure within 15 days of knowing it occurred.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
The head of the government agency responsible for ensuring the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials, including pipeline safety.
Hazardous liquid distribution infrastructure
The system of pipelines, pumps, and other equipment used to transport liquids that are potentially dangerous, such as crude oil or natural gas liquids, from one place to another.
Grant program
A government program that provides financial assistance to eligible recipients (like cities or organizations) for specific projects or purposes, typically requiring an application process.
Municipality
A city, town, or other local government unit that typically provides public services to its residents.
Easement
A legal right that allows someone to use another person's land for a specific purpose, such as for a pipeline to run across a property.
Remediation
The process of stopping or reversing environmental damage, such as cleaning up a hazardous liquid spill or repairing a pipeline leak.
Notice of funding opportunity
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
NOV 21, 25
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
COMMITTEE
NOV 20, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
NOV 20, 25
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
