45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

REQUESTING CONGRESS AND THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO STRENGTHEN REQUIREMENTS FOR INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL PIPELINES THAT CARRY POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, EXPLOSIVE OR ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.

WHEREAS, a system of pipelines crosses the country and pipelines can be found in most counties of most states; and

WHEREAS, many of the materials carried via pipeline are under high pressure and can cause great bodily harm or environmental damage if the pipeline is breached; and

WHEREAS, many pipelines extend through remote areas and it is difficult for their owners to continually monitor the integrity of a pipeline and the stability of its surroundings; and

WHEREAS, many pipelines are in dangerous condition because the soil they are buried in has been washed out by flood or eroded by other natural causes and there is nothing supporting the pipeline as was initially intended; some are rusted or otherwise chemically compromised and weakened; and others are simply old and physically damaged or may have joints that are no longer secure due to movement of the pipeline from its original position or due to stress that was not anticipated at installation; and

WHEREAS, the public wants to be assured that pipelines in their communities are inspected and maintained so that there is no need for concern about accidents or catastrophes; and

WHEREAS, the number of pipelines crossing the country will increase to transport greater amounts of natural gas, oil, gasoline, carbon dioxide and other substances too varied to list; and

WHEREAS, even though there are federal inspection and maintenance standards for some pipelines, inspection and maintenance of pipelines that run near homes and recreational sites is minimal, and many pipelines are in seriously damaged condition and are subject to rupture; and such rupture would cause grave damage to humans, livestock or the environment; and

WHEREAS, federal laws requiring pipeline inspections and maintenance need to be reviewed and strengthened and the scope of materials transported by pipeline should be expanded to include all dangerous pipelines, so that people who live near pipelines can rest assured that the pipelines pose no danger to their family or property;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that its congressional delegation and all of the members of congress be requested to seriously review the pipeline safety standards in federal law and make certain that there is no way that a pipeline owner can avoid maintaining a pipeline in a manner that assures the health and safety of people, livestock and other animals, property and the environment in the vicinity of the pipeline; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the range of materials transported by pipeline that is covered by federal law be reviewed and any materials transported by pipeline that could pose a threat to life or property because of its pressure, heat or caustic, poisonous or explosive nature should be included in the regulatory scheme for pipeline safety; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation, the president pro tempore of the United States Senate and the speaker of the United States house of representatives.