Today, the House Homeland Security Committee approved H.R. 3699, the Pipeline Security Act, which adds to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator’s duties the task of maintaining responsibility to secure pipeline transportation and pipeline facilities against cybersecurity threats, acts of terrorism, and nefarious acts. An amendment offered by Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), the top Republican on the Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, was included in passage today.

Congresswoman Lesko (AZ-08): “Securing our nation’s pipelines is a critically important task. The Pipeline Security Act and my amendment will strengthen pipeline transportation security by reasserting many of the positive aspects of TSA’s pipeline security program. These aspects include reaffirming the voluntary nature of certain risk assessments and encouraging meaningful stakeholder engagement in establishing pipeline security guidelines. My amendment will also help ensure that TSA provides the right guidance to pipeline stakeholders to enable them to adequately identify critical facilities. This bill takes steps to ensure that TSA addresses the unique security needs of the pipeline sector, and I look forward to a vote before the whole House.”

Background: The Pipeline Security Act amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-53) to add a Pipeline Security section within the TSA to support this mission.

• The Pipeline Security Section is tasked with the pipeline security responsibilities assigned to the Administrator, including:
• Developing pipeline security guidelines in consultation Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial entities, and public and private stakeholders. These must be updated as necessary and at least every three years;
• Distributing these guidelines to Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial entities, and public and private stakeholders;
• Conducting security assessments based on the developed security guidelines and providing recommendations for improvement to security posture; and
• Carrying out a program to inspect critical pipeline facilities as determined by the Administrator.
• The Administrator and the Director of CISA are permitted to detail personnel between their components.
• The Administrator is required to report to Congress annually on activities of the pipeline security section, and the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review no later than two years after enactment of the act to review the implementation.