A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee passed legislation Wednesday to reauthorize the nation’s pipeline safety regulator and undo efficiency rulemaking for home appliances.
The Energy, Climate and Grid Security Subcommittee cleared its “Pipeline Safety, Modernization and Expansion Act” to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for another five years after the previous plan for the agency expired last year. It passed 14-10 along party lines.
PHMSA reauthorization bills have traditionally been bipartisan, but Democrats grilled Republicans during the markup for refusing to take out “poison pills,” including language to ease natural gas pipelines. Democrats also expressed concern about funding levels.
“It’s not the serious work that Americans expect from the Congress and especially this committee,” said Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.). “It’s embarrassing, it’s embarrassing that you’re siding with oil and gas industry over our neighbors’ safety.”
