Op/Ed: National recognition of pipeline safety is here
By. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen

June 10, 2009

Today we pause to remember the tenth anniversary of the Bellingham pipeline explosion, a tragedy that cut short the lives of three young people in our community.

In the aftermath of the Bellingham explosion, our community was united in grief. Another generation may ask each other, "Where were you when President Kennedy died?" but here in Whatcom County, many of us ask, "Where you were when the pipeline exploded?"

In the days following this tragedy, the families of the victims, local community members and activists mobilized in support of new laws to strengthen pipeline safety.

In 2002, Congress passed the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act which increased fines for negligent pipeline operators, improved pipeline testing timelines, provided protection for whistleblowers and allowed for state oversight of pipeline safety. In 2006, Congress reauthorized the 2002 law by passing the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement and Safety Act.

These two acts of Congress have made pipeline safety laws stronger, the construction of new pipelines better, and our existing pipeline infrastructure much safer. But while we have made significant progress in improving the safety of our nation's pipelines, we must remain vigilant.

That is why I worked with the Pipeline Safety Trust to designate June 10th, 2009 as National Pipeline Safety Day. A congressional resolution recognizing National Pipeline Safety Day passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the explosion in Bellingham. Our resolution encourages individuals, state and local governments and pipeline safety stakeholders to work together to create greater public awareness of pipeline safety.

While tremendous progress has been made on pipeline safety, important issues need our ongoing attention. More community involvement is needed in the placement and testing of pipelines, and we must remain vigilant in testing our pipeline infrastructure to protect public safety. Community leaders, local, state and federal government officials and the pipeline industry must continue to work together to address these issues.

It is unfortunate that it took a terrible tragedy like the one here in Whatcom County before Congress and the pipeline industry woke up to the need to improve our pipeline safety laws. The tenth anniversary of this tragedy should serve as a reminder to all of us that we must remain vigilant. The Pipeline Safety Trust and other local activists have led the way in improving pipeline safety. Let their leadership serve as an example for all of us to follow.

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen is a member of the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee and helped write the 2002 federal law which strengthened pipeline safety.