Senate Approves Pipeline Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate unanimously approved the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011, which will strengthen pipeline safety oversight by the federal government and address long-standing safety issues.
Rockefeller Remarks on Today’s Surface Transportation Markup
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that highway deaths fell to 32,885 for the year, the lowest level since 1949. The record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities occurred even as American drivers traveled nearly 46 billion more miles during the year. Importantly, our decade-long effort to reduce drunk driving is making a real impact. Deaths in crashes involving drunk drivers dropped almost 5% in 2010. Despite generally positive trends, all the news was not good. DOT noted that fatalities rose among pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and large truck occupants.
Lautenberg, Rockefeller Introduce Bus & Truck Safety Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and John D. (Jay) Rockfeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee announced today that they introduced the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act, a bill that reauthorizes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and makes important improvements to federal truck and bus safety standards.
Rockefeller Pleased Amtrak Privatization Plan is Shelved
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) announced that he will no longer pursue a plan to privatize Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) train line:
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on TSA’s Effort to Secure Our Nation’s Transportation System
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Ten years ago this month, the Senate Commerce Committee created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). I have seen firsthand how extremely difficult it is to lead the agency. There is no margin for error, and no shortage of criticism.
Executive Session Summary
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an executive session today and favorably reported out the following legislation and nominations:
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Today’s Executive Session
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s executive session. We have a full docket today and some very important bills up for consideration: bills that will help grow our economy, secure our waterways, and preserve the health of our marine ecosystems.
Rockefeller Seeks Reassurance from DOT Secretary LaHood that Mexican Truck Program is Safen
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today sought reassurance from the Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood that his agency is doing all that it can to ensure applicants to the U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking program are adhering to the highest standards of safety. Two recent events in DOT’s administration of the program involving Mexican-based trucking companies have raised concerns that there has been insufficient scrutiny of applicants to the program.
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Pipeline Safety since San Bruno and Other Recent Incidents
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On a normal day, massive amounts of oil or natural gas flow through pipelines all across the country without any incident. The system powers our economy and is impressive in its efficiency. But when something goes wrong, the consequences are deadly. Explosions. Fires. Noxious fumes. And of course environmental damage.
Senate Approves Rockefeller, Lautenberg Pipeline Safety Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved pipeline safety legislation introduced by Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Surface Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Frank R. Lautenberg. The Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 would strengthen pipeline safety oversight by the federal government and address long-standing safety issues.