_______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE
SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8017
_______________________________________________
Passed
Legislature - 2000 Regular Session
State of Washington 56th
Legislature 2000 Regular Session
By
Read first time 01/31/2000.
Requesting
federal assistance in ensuring pipeline safety.
TO
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO
THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS
ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION:
We,
your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of
Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and
petition as follows:
WHEREAS,
Ensuring the safety of citizens residing near pipelines carrying hazardous
substances and protecting the surrounding environment from the deleterious
effects of pipeline spills are vital state and local responsibilities, yet the
oversight of interstate pipelines has been largely preempted by federal law;
and
WHEREAS,
Several significant pipeline spills have occurred in Washington State in recent
years, including a major petroleum spill in the City of Bellingham, resulting
in a fire which killed three people and destroyed much of a city park; and
WHEREAS,
Washington Governor Gary Locke thereafter formed a study team of local and
state fuel accident response agencies, which in the course of numerous
meetings, briefings, and public hearings learned that current federal oversight
of pipeline safety is inadequate in many respects; and
WHEREAS,
Washington State through its Legislature and Governor are developing a strong,
coordinated program of state and local oversight of pipeline safety that will
be well integrated with concurrent federal oversight; and
WHEREAS,
Such a program cannot be fully implemented without action by the Congress and
the President to modify existing statutes and provide necessary administrative
and budgetary support;
NOW,
THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that:
(1)
The Congress enact legislation amending the federal Pipeline Safety Act (49
U.S.C. Section 60101, et seq.) to allow states to adopt and enforce standards
stricter than federal standards where to do so would not interfere with
interstate commerce;
(2)
Such Act be further amended to allow states at their option to seek authority
to administer and enforce federal pipeline safety standards;
(3)
As an interim measure pending congressional consideration of such legislative
enactments the President direct the federal Office of Pipeline Safety to grant
authority to states that qualify to enforce federal standards; and
(4)
The Congress increase funding to assist states in responding to pipeline
accident emergencies, to implement pipeline safety measures, to support states
with delegated authority to enforce federal standards, and to the Office of
Pipeline Safety for additional research and development of technologies for
testing, leak detection, and oversight operations.
BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately
transmitted to the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of the United
States, the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, the
President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.
