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At an Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy hearing this week, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) highlighted the need for government regulations to keep pace with new technologies in order to ensure safety with energy pipelines.

Latta questioned President and CEO of the Association of Oil Pipelines, Andrew J. Black, on how old regulations can potentially make it difficult to implement and use new technologies that can improve safety. Black explained that technology has changed rapidly with large amounts of data and information that can now be gathered quickly, but regulations are two decades old and don’t reflect the changes that the industry has seen. He urged the updating of regulations through a variety of possible avenues including rulemaking, legislation, or a pilot program.

In addition, Latta questioned Public Utilities Commissioner Lawrence Friedman, a Waterville native, about Ohio’s accelerated pipeline replacement program and highlighted Ohio as one of only eight states that act as interstate agents with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Latta also questioned PHMSA Administrator, Howard “Skip” Elliot, who confirmed that greater data and information could help with their safety mission.

Video of the hearing is available here. Latta’s questions being at 1:05:10 and 3:10:20 in the video.