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Senate Bill 2469
116th Congress(2019-2020)
METHANE Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Sep 12, 2019
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Introduced in Senate 
Sep 12, 2019
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Introduced in Senate(Sep 12, 2019)
Sep 12, 2019
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S. 2469 (Introduced-in-Senate)


116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2469


To amend title 49, United States Code, to require the use of advanced leak detection technology for pipelines, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 12, 2019

Mr. Udall (for himself, Mr. Carper, Mr. Booker, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Harris, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Markey, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mrs. Gillibrand) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, to require the use of advanced leak detection technology for pipelines, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Methane Emissions from Transmission Harm American Neighborhoods and the Environment Act” or the “METHANE Act”.

SEC. 2. Leak detection requirements and methane emissions from pipelines.

(a) Leak detection requirements.—Section 60109 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(h) Leak detection requirements.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, and as part of the minimum standards for integrity management programs for distribution pipelines under subsection (e), to the maximum extent practicable, operators of distribution pipelines shall use advanced leak detection technology described in paragraph (2).

“(2) ADVANCED LEAK DETECTION TECHNOLOGY.—

“(A) IN GENERAL.—Advanced leak detection technology referred to in paragraph (1) includes—

“(i) a high sensitivity methane detector mounted on a vehicle or aircraft, including a drone, equipped with Global Positioning System technology, if that high sensitivity methane detector and Global Positioning System technology meet the minimum performance standards described in subparagraph (B); and

“(ii) any other technology or combination of technologies that meet the minimum performance standards described in subparagraph (B).

“(B) MINIMUM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.—The high sensitivity methane detector and Global Positioning System technology referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) shall, at a minimum—

“(i) collect latitude and longitude coordinates and methane concentration data simultaneously;

“(ii) measure methane concentrations in parts per billion; and

“(iii) collect data points at a rate of at least twice per second.

“(3) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection.”.

(b) Methane emissions from pipelines.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

Ҥ 60142. Methane emissions from pipelines

“(a) In general.—To the maximum extent practicable, the owner or operator of a pipeline facility shall—

“(1) use the best available technology to capture natural gas when making repairs to the pipeline facility;

“(2) use the best available technology, including, as applicable, advanced leak detection technology described in section 60109(h)(2), to search for and identify leaks in the pipeline facility;

“(3) develop or participate in a replacement or repair program for pipeline facilities that—

“(A) are of a design, age, or material known to be leaky; or

“(B) are known to be leaky based on operating history; and

“(4) report to the Secretary any event that involves a release of gas from a pipeline facility that results in an unintentional estimated gas loss of 50,000 cubic feet or more.

“(b) Regulations.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this section.”.

(2) REPORTING THRESHOLD.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall amend section 191.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to ensure that the quantity of unintentional estimated gas loss necessary to be considered an “incident” under that section is 50,000 cubic feet or more.

(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 60141 the following:


“60142. Methane emissions from pipelines.”.