Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced
Summary
Strengthens pipeline safety and public transparency by forcing tougher standards for carbon dioxide and hazardous liquid pipelines, requiring operators to disclose safety data, and creating a public engagement office to center affected communities.
Show full summary
- Nearby families and communities would get more information and warnings because operators must post safety data and emergency plans online within one year and notify people in potential impact areas. The bill sets incident reporting triggers like gas releases of 50,000 cubic feet and property damage of $50,000.
- Local responders and environmental justice communities would get tailored CO2 rupture training, evacuation planning help, and prioritized engagement. The bill creates an Office of Public Engagement with $12 million per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to fund outreach and assistance.
- Pipeline owners and operators would face new technical rules and oversight including CO2 pipeline standards, geohazard assessment duties, and a rupture-mitigation valve regime that generally requires isolation within 30 minutes with a five-year compliance window.
*Would increase federal spending by $12 million per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2028.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster shutdowns for pipeline ruptures
If enacted, operators with covered pipelines in high-risk areas would have to fully isolate a ruptured pipeline segment within 30 minutes. This rule would start 5 years after enactment. Operators must show they can meet the rule within 5 years or request a limited waiver. The Secretary would issue final rules within 2 years and waivers would expire after 5 years.
Major grants to fix gas lines
If enacted, the bill would authorize $200 million per year in grants for FY2027–FY2031 to repair, replace, or retire natural gas distribution systems. At least 20% of each year's money must go to non‑emitting alternatives. The Secretary would favor applicants that pay prevailing wages and support apprenticeship‑style training.
More public pipeline safety data
If enacted, pipeline operators would have to post safety, emergency, and siting information for free on a public website within 1 year. They would update it at least yearly and answer public requests within 90 days. The bill would set incident reporting thresholds (gas releases of 50,000 cubic feet, $50,000 property damage, fire or explosion, and serious injury criteria) and would bar releases at reportable levels. It would create a PHMSA Office of Public Engagement with $12 million per year for 2025–2028, require public hearings on proposed rules, and let private parties sue to enforce safety standards.
Stricter safety for CO2 pipelines
If enacted, PHMSA would have to finish a final CO2 pipeline safety rule within 18 months and write operator rules within 2 years. The rules would cover plume modeling, contaminants and blended products, conversion standards, fracture protection, geohazard checks, and emergency planning. The bill would also require CO2-specific training and resources for local responders upon enactment.
Change how pipeline rules are made
If enacted, the bill would change PHMSA rulemaking by removing some statutory cost‑benefit requirements, adding climate and transition planning factors, and making safety standards clearly apply to existing pipelines. It would tighten conflict rules for technical committees, require member financial disclosures and pay, and direct the Secretary to update civil‑penalty regulations within 180 days.
Hydrogen limits and storage rules
If enacted, the Secretary would have 2 years to update underground natural gas storage rules, using API guidance to address single‑point failures and emergency response. The bill would require a GAO study on hydrogen blending risks within 3 years. It would also bar hydrogen from gas distribution mains unless Congress explicitly authorizes blending, with a limited longstanding hydrogen pipeline exception.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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