Pipeline Safety Since San Bruno and Other Incidents

I welcome everybody to today's hearing, which will address pipeline safety since last year's explosion in San Bruno, California, as well as broader concerns about the safety of America's 2.3 million miles of pipeline. Now, these pipelines, which move oil and gas within states and across the country, are one of the safest forms of transportation. But when an accident occurs, the consequences can be deadly. We witnessed this last year: a natural gas pipeline ruptured below the ground in San Bruno, igniting a blaze that killed eight people and destroyed dozens of homes. Now other recent oil pipeline accidents in Michigan and along the Yellowstone River spilled thousands of barrels of oil into sensitive waterways, causing severe damage in both areas. These tragedies remind us that we have a responsibility to keep our country's pipelines safe and reduce the frequency of accidents.