Daines Secures Field Hearing on Pipeline Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has secured a Senate field hearing on pipeline safety and the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), to be held in Billings, Montana next week. 

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee field hearing is entitled “Pipeline Safety: State and Local Perspectives” and will be held on Friday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m. MT/Noon ET at Montana State University, Billings. 

“Montanans know the importance of safely transporting our natural resources, whether through pipelines, highways, or rail lines,” Daines stated. “This field hearing will allow PHMSA and others in Washington to hear directly from Montanans, local officials and industry leaders about ongoing work to improve safety and create jobs.”

In advance of Committee consideration of pipeline safety legislation, this hearing will examine current issues and challenges relating to inspection and safe management of our nation’s pipeline network. 

Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE), chairman of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee, will also attend the hearing.

Daines and Fischer recently requested that the Senate Commerce Committee convene a hearing in Billings to examine PHMSA’s reauthorization and its efficacy in overseeing and enforcing federal regulations in light of recent accidents in eastern Montana.

Witnesses:

  • The Honorable Marie Therese Dominguez, PHMSA Administrator
  • Mr. Todd Denton, President, Phillips 66 Pipeline
  • Mr. John Ostlund, Yellowstone Country Commissioner
  • Ms. Michelle Slyder, Montana Liquid Gas Pipeline Association

Hearing Details:

Friday, September 18, 2015

10:00 a.m. MT/Noon ET

Montana State University, Billings

Library, Room 148

Billings, Montana 

Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Field Hearing entitled “Pipeline Safety: State and Local Perspectives” 

A live video of the hearing will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.

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