Washington (August 20, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, alongside Representative Lori Trahan (MA-03), member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, today announced reintroduction of the Pipeline Accountability Act, comprehensive legislation to update pipeline safety standards, enhance public engagement in pipeline safety, improve responsiveness to pipeline disasters, and address environmental and climate harms. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Ron Wyden (D-Or.) are cosponsors of the legislation.
Devastating accidents—such as the 2018 gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts and the 2020 carbon dioxide pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi—highlight the urgent need for more stringent safety measures and greater transparency and accountability.
“As residents of the Merrimack Valley painfully know, communities near pipelines pay the price for leaks, breaks, and failures—compromising their own health and safety as pipeline safety regulations and enforcement fail to keep up,” said Senator Markey. “Our Pipeline Accountability Act would improve public safety by closing loopholes companies use to operate old, unsafe pipelines and by ensuring communities know if disasters occur and have the tools to prevent them. Our homes and our environment will be safer with strong standards, transparent rulemaking, and the power to hold violators accountable.”
“Families in the Merrimack Valley still remember the terror and destruction of the 2018 gas explosions—a tragic reminder of what happens when pipeline safety falls short,” said Representative Trahan. “No community should be left in the dark when leaks or explosions occur, and no family should have to live in fear because of outdated safety standards. The Pipeline Accountability Act will finally give communities a real voice, strengthen oversight, and help prevent disasters before they happen.”
“Fossil fuel pipelines pose numerous risks to our public health and environment—and our nation’s safety standards are long overdue for an update to crack down on shady practices that polluters use to circumvent regulation,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bill with Senator Markey to help strengthen pipeline safety and accountability guidelines, improve community engagement and better protect our climate as well as the American people from the risks that come along with transporting dangerous fossil fuels through pipelines.”
“For too long, the system has been rigged in favor of fossil fuels,” said Senator Wyden. “As our country races to meet skyrocketing energy demand, this legislation will help ensure proper safety and environmental standards for fossil fuels that go hand-in-hand with Oregon's work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in a clean energy future.”
Specifically, the Pipeline Accountability Act would:
The Pipeline Accountability Act is endorsed by the Pipeline Safety Trust, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Appalachian Voices, Public Citizen, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Food and Water Watch, HEET, Mothers Out Front, Conservation Law Foundation, Oil Change International, Hold the Line Campaign, 350.org, 350Hawaii, and Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice.
“The Pipeline Accountability Act is the type of action we need from Congress to prevent the kinds of pipeline tragedies we’ve seen in the past,” said Erin Sutherland, Policy & Program Director/Counsel, Pipeline Safety Trust. “The last two years have been the deadliest two-year period for pipelines in nearly 15 years, with pipeline failures claiming 30 lives. By closing safety gaps, improving public transparency, and addressing emerging issues such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen pipelines, it will save lives and safeguard our environment. We’re grateful for Senator Markey’s leadership in making pipeline safety a national priority.”
“Rigorous oversight of our country’s pipeline infrastructure is critical for community safety and protecting our environment, and Senator Markey’s legislation would do just that by strengthening the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,” said Joanna Slaney, Vice President for Political and Government Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund. “This proposal will improve transparency and strengthen protections for communities and the environment.”
“Appalachian Voices applauds the introduction of Sen. Markey’s legislation to strengthen pipeline safety standards and give PHMSA resources to more effectively work with people impacted by pipelines," said Quenton King, Government Affairs Specialist, Appalachian Voices. “Community members often get the runaround from various state and federal agencies when they are trying to seek basic information about the pipelines going through their land or problems they see. Establishing an Office of Public Engagement and mandating disclosure of safety data are much needed steps forward for pipeline safety and essential communication. We thank Sen. Markey and Rep. Trahan for being tireless advocates for frontline communities."
“As a mother, I shouldn't have to wonder whether the pipeline near my child's school is safe or when it was last inspected,” said Melissa Thomas, Senior Organizer, Mothers Out Front. “Our current pipeline safety system has failed families with too many accidents and too little transparency. The Pipeline Accountability Act would close dangerous loopholes that have left our communities vulnerable for too long. By requiring safety upgrades to existing pipelines and giving the public real input on decisions that affect our neighborhoods, this bill would put our children's safety ahead of fossil fuel company profits.”
“This important bill requires regulators to close dangerous safety gaps to prevent and respond to carbon dioxide pipeline ruptures. That’s key because we’ve already seen compressed carbon dioxide leaks cause suffocation and poisoning, and their widespread harms can be deadly,” said Maggie Coulter, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute. “We’re proud to endorse this bill, which protects communities and wildlife at risk.”
“HEET is proud to endorse Senator Markey’s Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025,” said Andrew Iliff, Policy Director, HEET. “The bill includes critical provisions on replacing old and leaky gas pipes, improving community outreach, and promoting greater transparency. As our energy system rapidly changes, this legislation ensure pipeline safety keeps up - protecting us today and protecting our future too.”
###
