PRIA Logo™
119-s-2975119th CongressWALLET

PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Passed Senate

Summary

This bill would strengthen _pipeline safety_ by authorizing multi-year funding, updating technical standards, and boosting transparency and community engagement through new programs and data sharing.

Show full summary
  • Communities and first responders get clearer information and outreach. The bill creates an Office of Public Engagement, requires annual public posting of pipeline leak summaries, and conditionally funds a Center of Excellence for leak-detection research.
  • Operators and regulators face stricter oversight and tougher consequences. It allows risk-based inspections for in-service tanks, tightens MAOP record rules, creates working groups and deadlines for rulemaking, expands whistleblower remedies, and raises civil-penalty caps to $400,000 and $4,000,000.
  • States, Tribes, and local utilities gain more tools and funding. The bill authorizes State risk-based inspection programs, strengthens State and Tribal roles in standards and emergency response, and provides $75 million per year for municipally owned gas distribution grants for FY2027–FY2030.

*Would authorize roughly $2.0 billion in federal appropriations across FY2026–FY2030 for PHMSA programs, operations, the voluntary information-sharing system, emergency response grants, and distribution infrastructure grants.*

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

18 provisions identified: 12 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Grants to fix local gas lines

This bill would provide $75 million each year for FY2027–FY2030 to help public, not‑for‑profit gas utilities repair or replace pipes. Grants would usually cover up to 50% of project costs. In places with fewer than 50,000 people, grants could cover up to 80%. No single utility would get more than 12.5% of yearly funds, and up to 2% could pay admin costs. Funds would come from general revenues and stay available until used.

Free access to safety standards and leak data

This bill would make the Secretary review pipeline industry standards at least every 5 years and post a public list of what was adopted or not. For new rules, the full text of a standard (or a free link) would be posted during public comment, or it could not be used by reference. It would also require posting annual pipeline leak summary data within 1 year. When the agency redacts documents it provides, it would have to cite the exact law allowing the redaction.

Better pipeline maps and risk checks

This bill would require a GAO review of the national pipeline map within 1 year and start a rulemaking within 2 years to make submitted locations accurate within a 50‑foot radius. It would define a “potential impact radius,” require a 3‑year review of the method, and have failure reports show damage outside that radius starting within 1 year. It would review how fast operators detect and report confirmed events within 2 years. It would also study major weather impacts on gas systems within 1 year and review high‑risk pipeline plans 90 days later.

Check older Aldyl-A plastic gas pipes

This bill would require gas distribution owners to assess their systems for Aldyl‑A polyethylene and report estimated miles to the Secretary within 3 years. The Secretary would not require excavation just to do the check. State programs would also emphasize historic plastics with known safety issues in risk reviews.

Confidential safety data sharing program

This bill would start a confidential, nonpunitive pipeline safety information‑sharing system within one year. A 15‑member board would govern it and pick a third party to remove identifiers from data. Participation would be voluntary, and the system would follow a recommendation report.

Final pipeline cybersecurity rule deadline

This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to publish a final pipeline cybersecurity rule within 180 days under an existing TSA docket. The rule would cover pipeline owners and operators subject to TSA cybersecurity regulation.

IG review of oil spill plans

This bill would have the DOT Inspector General review diluted bitumen spill response plans within 1 year. The review would check if plans list all crude oils, include safety data sheets, and cover response for submerged or sunken oil and sensitive areas. The IG would report findings and recommendations within 180 days after the review ends.

New center for pipeline leak detection

This bill would allow a National Center of Excellence for hazardous liquid pipeline leak detection in the Great Lakes Basin if Congress funds it. The Secretary would report within 18 months on needed resources and costs. The center would study very‑low‑volume leak tech, share best practices, and partner with a nearby university.

Public help and alerts on pipelines

This bill would require the pipeline agency to start an Office of Public Engagement within one year. The office would help residents, share easy‑to‑read materials, and do outreach like mailings and meetings. It would also direct FEMA and the Secretary to issue voluntary guidance for using public alert systems during a pipeline emergency. If an operator adopts procedures from that guidance, they would add them to their emergency response plan.

Stronger state and Tribal pipeline roles

This bill would let certified States run risk‑based pipeline inspection programs under a written agreement, with every system checked at least once every five years. It would push States to adopt leading one‑call (811) practices that reduce utility strikes, like white‑lining and positive responses before digging. It would also add clear roles for affected Tribal officials across mapping, reporting, coordination, and reviews.

Mixed changes to testing, waivers, and coverage

This bill would let testing programs run 5 years instead of 3 and treat setting a testing program as not a major NEPA action. It would tighten the nonemergency waiver test from “not inconsistent” to “consistent.” It would exclude some rural gathering lines and plant piping (including transfer lines under 1 mile off‑site) from certain safety provisions. Plans would need to address geological hazards. It would also pause new MAOP reconfirmation when prior tests and records already show enough material strength, with a working‑group report due in 180 days and possible rules within 1 year after the report.

New rules for hydrogen, CO2, and materials

This bill would study hydrogen‑natural gas blends, with a GAO study due within 1 year, and then decide within 1 year after the studies if rules are needed for blends above 5%. It would require a final CO2 pipeline safety rule within 2 years, with CO2‑specific emergency plans and risk modeling, and ban CO2 as a spike test medium. It would assess composite pipeline materials within 1 year and, if found as safe as current ones, write rules within 1 year after the report to allow their use. It would also make gas operators report any intentionally blended non‑predominant product expected to exceed 2% by volume, no more than once a year.

Rules for idled lines and storage tanks

This bill would set rules within 90 days on how safety standards apply to idled gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. It would also allow risk‑based inspections for in‑service breakout tanks if safety is maintained or improved. If tanks are inspected less often, operators would need routine external monitoring and secondary containment to catch leaks.

Stronger protections for pipeline workers

This bill would expand whistleblower protections to cover officers, employees, and agents. Remedies would include back pay with interest and special damages. It would also update rules within 2 years so covered employees are exempt from post‑accident drug and alcohol tests when their prior covered work was outside the detection window.

More oversight of pipeline rules and deadlines

This bill would have GAO study PHMSA’s enforcement and inspection scheduling. A DOT expert would attend certain peer‑review meetings on risk and cost‑benefit work. The Secretary would notify Congress about standards committee actions and meet no more than twice per year. If PHMSA misses listed rulemaking deadlines, the Administrator would brief Congress in person within 7 days and every 90 days until done.

Higher penalty caps for pipeline operators

The bill would raise the maximum civil penalties for pipeline safety violations. The smaller cap would rise from $200,000 to $400,000. The larger cap would rise from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000. These increases would take effect upon enactment. Future inflation adjustments would apply to the new caps.

Bankruptcy alerts and new loan fees

This bill would require pipeline operators that file Chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy to notify the Secretary within 7 days. It would also require an administrative fee at financial close for Alaska gas pipeline loan guarantees to cover federal administrative costs. The Secretary could reduce the fee if appropriations are available.

Ban foreign-linked drones at pipeline agency

This bill would bar the pipeline safety agency from using or buying certain foreign‑linked drones, with narrow testing exceptions. The agency could seek a public‑interest waiver. If Congress funds it, covered drones owned at enactment would be replaced within 1 year with U.S. or allied systems. A report on replacements and costs would be due within 180 days.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation