Sabrina Fang| 202.682.8114 | fangs@api.org

WASHINGTON, December 14, 2011 - American Petroleum Institute supports The Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act to reauthorize the nation's pipeline safety program.

"This bill takes important strides to better protect pipelines from excavation damage," said Peter Lidiak API pipeline director. "The oil and gas industry remains committed to continuous improvement in pipeline safety, while efficiently delivering more than 70% percent of the petroleum needed to run our country each year. We look forward to working with DOT, the States and other stakeholders to implement the new law."

The legislation will enhance pipeline safety and prevent spills. API thanked House Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce and Senate Commerce Committee Leadership for their bipartisan framework to ensure the industry continues to supply energy responsibly. We applaud the Senate for quickly passing this important legislation and we look forward to the president's signature on the bill.

"Pipelines continue to be one of the safest modes for transporting energy across the country," said Lidiak. "Preventing accidents is our number one priority and we will continue to invest in technology and improve standards to further that mission and provide Americans with the energy they need."

API represents more than 490 oil and natural gas companies, leaders of a technology-driven industry that supplies most of America's energy, supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers more than $86 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested more than $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.