Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]
In Committee
Summary
Modernizes pipeline safety to protect communities and limit climate harm. The bill tightens technical standards for gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines, boosts disclosure and public engagement, and requires faster isolation of ruptures in high‑risk areas.
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- Communities and households: Requires operators to notify residents, post machine‑readable safety data, and demonstrate the ability to isolate ruptured pipeline segments within 30 minutes in covered locations with a five‑year compliance window. It also funds an Office of Public Engagement to prioritize environmental justice and local outreach.
- Pipeline operators and industry: Forces new safety rules and CO2‑specific standards, tighter reporting for blended products above 1 percent, stronger committee conflict rules, and a formal waiver process for the 30‑minute isolation requirement. It also mandates GAO study on hydrogen blending and largely prohibits hydrogen transport beyond trace amounts unless Congress acts.
- Local responders and infrastructure programs: Requires training, emergency coordination, and rulemaking on underground storage. It reauthorizes the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Grant Program and directs at least 20 percent of annual grants toward non‑emitting alternatives.
*Authorizes new federal spending of $12 million per year for 2025–2028 and $200 million per year for 2027–2031, plus additional unspecified sums for implementation.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants to modernize gas systems
If enacted, a federal grant program would fund repairs, replacements, or retirements of gas distribution lines and safety gear. At least 20% of funds would support non‑emitting options like electrification and networked geothermal. Applicants paying prevailing wages and offering strong training would get extra consideration. The bill would authorize $200 million each year from 2027 through 2031, with each year’s money available for several years.
Faster shutdowns and stricter incident reporting
If enacted, covered pipelines would have to isolate a ruptured segment within 30 minutes of identifying the rupture, starting five years after enactment. The Secretary would issue new gas incident reporting rules within one year, including reporting gas releases of 50,000 cubic feet or more, fires or explosions, property damage of $50,000 or more, and serious injuries. The bill would also prohibit releases at amounts that trigger reporting under pipeline rules.
More safety info and community help
If enacted, pipeline operators would have to post free safety details online within one year and update them yearly. They would need to answer public requests within 90 days. The public pipeline map would be available in a machine‑readable format. The Secretary would hold at least one public hearing for each proposed safety rule. PHMSA would set up a new Office of Public Engagement within one year to do outreach, translation, caregiving support for meetings, handle complaints, and help residents after incidents, with $12 million each year from 2025 to 2028.
New rules for CO2 pipelines
If enacted, the Secretary would finish a pending CO2 pipeline safety rule within 18 months. Within two years, more rules would require operators to assess geohazards, monitor changes, prevent leaks, report pipeline and contaminant details, and notify people in potential impact zones. The rules would set standards for non‑pure CO2 and coordination with local officials. The Department would also provide CO2‑specific training and resources to local emergency responders.
Stronger safety rules for gas storage
If enacted, the Secretary would write or update rules for underground natural gas storage within two years. The rules would use technical standards like API RP 1170 and 1171. They would focus on risk management, emergency response, and avoiding single‑point‑of‑failure risks in wells.
Tight limits on hydrogen gas blending
If enacted, operators could not send hydrogen (beyond trace amounts) through ordinary natural gas distribution pipes unless Congress authorizes it. Systems built for hydrogen that have carried it for at least 10 years could keep doing so. GAO would study hydrogen blending risks and report within three years. Operators would also have to report any blended, non‑predominant product that exceeds 1% by volume at any time.
Tougher pipeline safety standards and enforcement
If enacted, safety rules could be applied to older pipelines, not just new ones. Rulewriters would have to consider climate harms and plans to move toward non‑emitting alternatives. The bill would narrow what must be included in statutory cost‑benefit reviews. Safety committees would face strict conflict‑of‑interest and disclosure rules. The Secretary would revise civil penalty regulations within 180 days. People could sue in federal court for violations or to force the agency to do required tasks, with clear venue and fee rules.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 9/19/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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