WASHINGTON, D.C. February 25, 2025 – Eric Taylor, Director of Engineering Services for BHE GT&S, (a Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company), will testify in the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines & Hazardous Materials “Promoting and Improving Safety and Efficient Pipeline Infrastructure” hearing on behalf of the membership of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA).
In his testimony, Mr. Taylor reaffirms our industry’s commitment to moving natural gas in a safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible manner, and goal of operating natural gas pipeline infrastructure with zero incidents. He also advocates for Congress’ enactment of a bipartisan pipeline safety reauthorization measure, which helps advance the safe operation and maintenance of critical energy infrastructure. In addition to stressing INGAA’s priority of safety, and our support of a strong safety regulator, Mr. Taylor’s testimony encourages the inclusion of the following priorities in a pipeline safety reauthorization measure, requiring PHMSA to:
- Complete the Class Location Rule
- Institute requirements to conduct pressure testing and confirm the material strength of natural gas transmission pipelines
- Hold at least two Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) meetings per year
- Reform its enforcement processes relating to agency review of draft enforcement actions, setting time-limited audits, and tying all enforcement actions to risk-based safety threats
- Create uniform agency processes for all permit applications with quicker approval times
INGAA and our membership look forward to working with the Committee to ensure that PHMSA has the proper resources and direction to continually improve the safety of our industry and enable development of energy infrastructure that delivers the benefits of natural gas to the American people.
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INGAA represents the U.S. natural gas pipeline industry. INGAA’s members deliver clean, abundant, affordable natural gas throughout North America and operate approximately 200,000 miles of pipelines that serve as an indispensable link between natural gas producers and consumers.
