Congress approves one-call legislation

The U.S. Congress has passed a broad transportation appropriations bill that will facilitate a national "one-call" system for locating underground utilities, including oil and gas pipelines. The U.S. pipeline industry has been working for national one-call legislation for a number of years. Conferees working on the compromise bill kept a one-call provision from the Senate-passed bill, although the House bill was silent on the issue. The provision encourages states to establish one-call

July 6, 1998

The U.S. Congress has passed a broad transportation appropriations bill that will facilitate a national "one-call" system for locating underground utilities, including oil and gas pipelines.

The U.S. pipeline industry has been working for national one-call legislation for a number of years. Conferees working on the compromise bill kept a one-call provision from the Senate-passed bill, although the House bill was silent on the issue.

The provision encourages states to establish one-call programs, which enable excavators to locate all underground utilities before digging.

It sets minimum standards for the state programs, if they are to receive federal grants.

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America noted that third-party damage is responsible for half of all pipeline accidents.

Jerald Halvorsen, Ingaa president, said, "Including one-call in the transportation bill shows Congress' commitment to giving us the tools to enhance safety, protect the environment, and save lives."

Roger Cooper, American Gas Association's executive vice president for policy and planning, said the one-call provision "is simple, effective, and comprehensive because it gives each state the flexibility to tailor the program to fit individual needs."