THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
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For Immediate Release Contact: (202)
456-7035
Friday, November 3, 2000
STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT
I am very pleased that the Administration is taking important steps today
to improve the safety of our Nation's oil and gas pipelines. The
Department of Transportation is issuing new, strong requirements for large
hazardous liquid pipeline operators to regularly inspect and promptly
repair their pipelines in populated and environmentally sensitive areas, as
well as to employ measures to detect and prevent leaks. In addition,
President Clinton is directing the Department to take actions that will
further strengthen pipeline safety standards, improve enforcement, form
strong federal-state partnerships, increase public access to information,
and enhance technology using existing authorities to their fullest extent.
Americans deserve to have the safest pipeline system possible. Despite
significant bipartisan efforts, Congress has not passed a comprehensive
pipeline safety law this year. The actions that are being taken today will
help to ensure that pipeline safety is being improved to the maximum extent
possible without a change in law. Tragedies such as the recent pipeline
accidents in Bellingham, Washington, and near Carlsbad, New Mexico, must
not be repeated.
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