Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025
H.R. 5537, titled the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025, would overhaul safety, accountability, and public engagement for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) by: (1) creating an Office of Public Engagement within PHMSA to coordinate outreach, education, and input from communities—especially environmental justice communities and those without financial interests in pipelines; (2) expanding transparency requirements, including public hearings on proposed rules, disclosure of safety data, and incident reporting for gas pipelines; (3) strengthening safety and environmental standards planning, by adding climate considerations and a push toward non-emitting energy alternatives into cost-benefit analyses and standard-setting; (4) advancing stricter rules for carbon dioxide pipelines (including safety standards, emergency response, detection, and rupture mitigation measures) and setting timelines for rulemaking and compliance; (5) studying hydrogen blending into natural gas systems and restricting such blending unless Congress acts, while extending and refocusing related grant programs to support non-emitting alternatives and workforce training; and (6) enhancing accountability provisions, including potential penalties and private rights of action. The bill would also update technical safety committees and extend rulemaking on underground natural gas storage. Sponsor information shows Representatives Trahan and Tlaib introduced the bill in the House (Sept. 19, 2025). The measure would require substantial new funding, regulatory action, and procedural changes across PHMSA programs, with a particular emphasis on public engagement, climate considerations, and tighter safety standards for CO2 pipelines and other high-risk facilities.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of an Office of Public Engagement within PHMSA, led by a Director, to coordinate public and community outreach, provide assistance, and ensure translations and accessible communications, with input processes including public meetings and summaries to Congress before establishment.
- 2Public engagement and transparency measures, including public hearings on proposed rules, disclosure of safety data, and mandatory incident reporting for gas pipelines to improve public awareness and accountability.
- 3Safety standard reforms that insert climate-related considerations into standard-setting, require non-emitting alternatives where feasible, and tightenST and conflict-of-interest rules for technical safety standards committees (including financial disclosure requirements for committee members).
- 4Stronger CO2 pipeline safety framework, including rulemaking deadline within 18 months, development of minimum safety standards across all phases of CO2 transport, siting and detection requirements, emergency response guidelines, and detailed rules for conversion of existing pipelines, with waivers possible under defined conditions and periodic reviews.
- 5Hydrogen blending study and prohibition unless Congress authorizes it, plus a set of related actions: modifications to grant programs to favor non-emitting solutions, and a requirement that any blending be subject to Congress’s authorization before transport of hydrogen in natural gas distribution systems (with narrow carve-outs for legacy hydrogen-capable systems).
- 6Extensions and funding for the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program to encourage non-emitting alternatives, with a minimum annual allocation to non-emitting projects and labor/workforce provisions (including prevailing wage considerations and apprenticeship-like requirements).
- 7Rulemaking on underground natural gas storage to address risk management, emergency response, and single-point-failure concerns, with consideration of API standards and updated risk modeling.
- 8Accountability provisions (Section 301-303) to address prohibitions against releases, private actions, and penalties for violations, reinforcing compliance expectations.