Rupture-mitigation valves on pipelines in high consequence areas

Section 60109(c) of title 49, United States Code (as amended by section 104(b)(2)), is amended by adding at the end the following: (12) Rupture-mitigation valves on pipelines in high consequence areas (A) Definitions (i) Class 3 or 4 location The term Class 3 or 4 location, with respect to a gas pipeline facility, means, as applicable— (I) a Class 3 location (as defined in section 192.5(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)); or (II) a Class 4 location (as defined in that section). (ii) Covered location The term covered location means— (I) a high consequence area; and (II) a location where a rupture could affect— (aa) a high consequence area; or (bb) a Class 3 or 4 location. (iii) Covered pipeline The term covered pipeline means an existing or newly constructed pipeline, 6 inches or greater in diameter, that is— (I) a gas transmission pipeline; (II) a type A onshore gathering pipeline (as described in section 192.8(c) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)); (III) a hazardous liquid pipeline; or (IV) a carbon dioxide pipeline. (iv) High consequence area The term high consequence area means— (I) with respect to a gas pipeline facility, a high consequence area (as defined in section 192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)); and (II) with respect to a hazardous liquid pipeline facility or relevant carbon dioxide pipeline facility, a high consequence area (as defined in section 195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)). (B) Isolation of pipeline segments Beginning on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, an operator of a covered pipeline any portion of which is in a covered location shall, as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 minutes after rupture identification, fully isolate any ruptured pipeline segment that is in a covered location, in order to minimize the volume of product released from the pipeline and mitigate the consequences of the rupture. (C) Demonstration of compliance (i) Existing pipelines in covered locations Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, each operator of a covered pipeline any portion of which is in a covered location as of that date of enactment shall demonstrate the ability of the operator to comply with the requirements of subparagraph (B). (ii) Subsequent determinations Beginning on the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, not later than 5 years after an existing covered pipeline is determined to be in a covered location, the operator of that covered pipeline shall demonstrate the ability of the operator to isolate the applicable segment of the covered pipeline not later than 30 minutes after rupture identification, in accordance with subparagraph (B), unless the operator has received a waiver in accordance with subparagraph (D) with respect to the applicable segment that is in effect on the expiration of that 5-year period. (D) Waiver on request The Secretary may approve a waiver of the requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (C) on the request of an operator of a covered pipeline if the request— (i) (I) demonstrates, in the determination of the Secretary, that meeting the 30-minute standard described in subparagraph (B) is operationally, technologically, or economically infeasible; and (II) describes the methodology used to reach, and the results of studies supporting, that conclusion; (ii) (I) includes the estimated— (aa) isolation time; and (bb) consequences of a worst-case scenario failure on the impacted high consequence area or Class 3 or 4 location; and (II) demonstrates that the operator has involved the local emergency services in developing those estimates; (iii) demonstrates that the public within the impacted area and the immediately surrounding areas has been informed of the consequences of a rupture and consulted with respect to a waiver, including by providing the estimated isolation time; and (iv) for a pipeline segment for which a rupture could affect a high consequence area that is an unusually sensitive area (as defined in section 195.6 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)), demonstrates that relevant environmental and public safety groups have been informed of, and consulted with respect to, the consequences of a rupture and the request for a waiver. (E) Expiration, renewal, and required review (i) Expiration A waiver granted by the Secretary under subparagraph (D) shall expire 5 years after the date on which the waiver was granted. (ii) Renewal A waiver granted by the Secretary under subparagraph (D) may be renewed on the submission by the operator of a new request in accordance with that subparagraph, subject to such revision as the Secretary determines to be appropriate based on a review of the request. (iii) Required review (I) In general Not later than 180 days after the occurrence of an event described in subclause (II), an operator receiving a waiver under subparagraph (D) shall— (aa) review the waiver; and (bb) submit to the Secretary a new request for a waiver in accordance with that subparagraph, including such revisions as the operator determines appropriate based on a review of the applicable event described in that subclause. (II) Events described An event referred to in subclause (I) is any of the following: (aa) A significant incident anywhere on the network of pipelines of the operator. (bb) A change in the operational status of the applicable pipeline segment that may impact the safe operation of the pipeline facility or the consequences of a rupture. (cc) A change in the built or natural environment that may impact the safe operation of the pipeline facility or the consequences of a rupture. (dd) A change in the organizational structure of the operator, including a change in staffing levels or locations, that would affect the ability of the operator to isolate the applicable pipeline segment within the required time. (III) Review by the Secretary On receipt of a request under subclause (I)(bb), the Secretary shall— (aa) review the request; and (bb) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate— (AA) grant a new waiver under subparagraph (D) with such revisions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; (BB) revoke the existing waiver and require compliance with subparagraphs (B) and (C); or (CC) require the submission of a revised request by a date determined by the Secretary, addressing such matters as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (IV) Expiration due to inaction If an operator has not submitted to the Secretary a request in accordance with item (bb) of subclause (I) by the date described in that subclause, the existing waiver shall expire as of that date. (F) Rulemaking Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, the Secretary shall promulgate new, or revise existing, regulations to carry out this paragraph..