Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — Congress is one step closer to recognizing June 10th as National Pipeline Safety Day.  Today, a congressional resolution introduced by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02)  to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Bellingham pipeline explosion and recognize June 10th as National Pipeline Safety Day passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, of which Larsen is a member, by a unanimous vote.

Larsen delivered the following remarks today before the Committee:

“Chairman Oberstar and Chairwoman Brown, thank you for your help to advance this important resolution. 

“On June 10, 1999, a pipeline leak caused a massive explosion in my district in Bellingham, Washington.  The rupture released more than a quarter of a million gallons of gasoline into Whatcom Creek.  The gasoline ignited, sending a fireball racing down the creek that killed two 10 year-old boys and an 18 year-old man. 

“Another generation may ask, “where were you when President Kennedy died?” but in my district people ask where you were when the pipeline exploded.  It had that much of an impact on my district.

“In response to this tragedy and several other pipeline explosions across the country, Congress passed legislation to strengthen our pipeline safety regulations.  The 2002 Pipeline Safety Improvement Act increased penalty fines, improved pipeline testing timelines, provided whistleblower protection, and allowed for state oversight.  In 2006, Congress reauthorized the 2002 law by passing the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement and Safety (PIPES) Act. 

“The bill also set up the 811 program, which is a number people can call before they dig to make sure that they won’t hit a pipeline.

“Since that day in June 1999, we have made significant progress in ensuring the safety of our nation’s pipelines, but we must remain vigilant.  That’s why I have introduced H.Res.484, a resolution to recognize June 10, 2009 – the ten year anniversary of the Bellingham pipeline explosion – as National Pipeline Safety Day. 

“My resolution encourages individuals, state and local governments, and pipeline safety stakeholders to use this day to create greater public awareness of pipelines and pipeline safety.  It has the support of Washington state Governor Chris Gregoire, the Whatcom County Council, the Pipeline Safety Trust, the Pipeline Association for Public Awareness, the American Gas Association, and the American Public Gas Association. 

“I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.”

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