Lautenberg, Rockefeller Introduce Critical Pipeline Safety Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, and Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced legislation to improve pipeline safety efforts nationwide. The bill strengthens pipeline safety oversight by the federal government and addresses long-standing safety issues, including the use of automatic shutoff valves and excess flow valves.

Rockefeller Bill Provides Relief to Families of Deepwater Horizon Victims

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV introduced legislation to provide relief to families of those killed and injured in the Deepwater Horizon explosion last year. The legislation, known as the Deepwater Horizon Survivors’ Fairness Act, fixes loopholes in liability statutes so that victims’ families can receive the same compensation available to survivors of those injured or killed in accidents on land. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

Rockefeller Praises President Obama’s State of the Union Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV tonight praised the priorities outlined in President Obama’s State of the Union address. The Senator also announced the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on boosting American manufacturing in the coming weeks as part of a larger effort to emphasize innovation and an economic revival.

Rockefeller and Lautenberg Statements on Rail Safety Technology Report

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, today responded to the Government Accountability Office (GAO)’s report on rail safety technology. The report assesses the Federal Railroad Administration’s and the rail industry’s progress implementing positive train control (PTC), a system designed to prevent accidents, and evaluates the benefits and challenges of implementing other rail safety technologies.

Rockefeller & Lautenberg Applaud Proposal to Stop Unsafe Cell Phone Use By Truck and Bus Drivers

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chairman of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee, issued the following statements in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposed rule to prohibit the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles, including trucks and buses.