January 28, 2013

Manchin Statement on Pipeline Safety Field Hearing

Washington, D.C. – In the aftermath of the December 2012 Sissonville pipeline explosion, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) thanked senior Senator Jay Rockefeller and those who testified today for an informative field hearing on pipeline safety.

“I thank Senator Rockefeller for organizing this field hearing today to make sure horrific explosions like the one in Sissonville never happen again. After hearing from a variety of experts, I am confident that our natural gas industry will do everything in their power to make sure we can transfer our natural resources safely and responsibly. 

“It is also important to recognize our first responders who rushed to the scene that day to make sure the devastation did not spread out of control. Once again, our first responders displayed their hard work, dedication and efficiency when responding to such an alarming incident.”

The field hearing focused on making sure state transmission facilities follow specific guidelines to transfer natural resources safely and reviewing what steps need to be taken to respond to a hazardous liquid or gas release.

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