Peters Applauds New Rule Implementing His Provision to Protect the Great Lakes

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s formal adoption and implementation of his provision designating the Great Lakes as an Unusually Sensitive Area – which subjects pipelines operating in the area to higher standards for operating safely. Peters authored the provision requiring the federal agency overseeing pipeline safety to take this action as part of the bipartisan PIPES Act which establishes federal pipeline policy.

“The Great Lakes are more than an economic engine and ecological treasure for Michigan – they provide drinking water for over 40 million people and are simply part of who we are as Michiganders,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “We know a pipeline spill in the Great Lakes would be catastrophic. That’s why I applaud PHMSA for formally implementing my provision subjecting the Great Lakes to higher standards for pipeline operators. We must ensure proper oversight is in place and I will continue working to protect the Great Lakes for future generations.”

The Interim Final Rule issued today ensures that hazardous liquid pipelines that could affect the Great Lakes or coastal environments are covered by enhanced standards for safety protocols, risk management, inspections, and repairs. For more information about today’s announcement from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) – the federal agency overseeing pipeline safety – click here.

Under the PIPES Act signed into law in 2016, Peters authored a provision that designated the Great Lakes as an Unusually Sensitive Area, making pipelines in the Great Lakes subject to higher standards for operating safely. The bill also added coastal beaches and marine coastal waters as areas that should be considered when making an “Unusually Sensitive” determination. Since the PIPES Act of 2016 was signed into law by President Obama, Peters has worked to ensure that PHMSA has the resources to implement legislation into law.

Peters has worked to protect the Great Lakes for future generations. Peters successfully worked across the aisle to secure the first increase in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding since the program was established a decade ago. The bipartisan infrastructure law that Peters helped pass also includes $1 billion for the GLRI, which is the largest amount of funding provided for the program to date. Peters also cosponsored legislation that was signed into law earlier this year reauthorizing GLRI for another five years.

To further his work to keep the Great Lakes clean, Peters authored and passed legislation into law to create the U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise for the Great Lakes to study the impacts of oil spills in freshwater environments. The inspiration for this bill came in 2017 when the then-Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard told Peters at a hearing that the agency was not prepared for an oil spill in the Great Lakes, saying that more science and research was needed. In October, Peters announced that the Center of Expertise will be headquartered in Michigan with locations in Sault Ste. Marie and Ann Arbor.

To support local communities facing rising water levels, coastal erosion, and flooding that have put homes, property, and communities at risk, Peters authored and passed the STORM Act into law. The bill authorizes FEMA to help states establish revolving loan funds that local governments could access to help mitigate the impacts of rising water levels, coastal erosion, and other natural disasters in a more cost-effective way. Peters secured an initial $500 million for the program in the bipartisan infrastructure law.

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