Politics & Government

Congressman Vows Gas Leak Legislation

Porter Ranch Congressman Brad Sherman said he will introduce a law establishing regulatory oversight of gas storage facilities.

Brad Sherman, a Democratic congressman who has a home in Porter Ranch close to the site of the Southern California Gas Co. gas leak, announced today that he plans to introduce legislation designed to prevent more leaks in the future.

Sherman noted in a statement that the Department of Transportation Materials Safety Administration has established federal safety regulations for natural gas transportation.

“However, PHMSA has yet to use its existing regulatory authority regarding natural gas storage,” he said, adding that the legislation he plans to introduce, the Natural Gas Storage Safety Act, would direct the PHMSA to implement safety standards for natural gas storage facilities.

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“This bill is a backstop,” Sherman said. “If PHMSA doesn’t adopt regulations using its existing authority, this bill would compel them to act.”

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