ALBANY, NY – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19) recently introduced the Voluntary Information-Sharing System Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to prevent gas pipeline leaks.

New York’s 19th Congressional District, which includes Sullivan County, is home to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines that provide energy and heat to communities across the region. Molinaro’s bill establishes a voluntary system to encourage pipeline operators to share information with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that will be used to create a comprehensive database for safety information and recommendations.

“This bill encourages pipeline operators to work with – not against – its regulator,” Molinaro said. “By fostering this collaboration, we will create a system that collects and analyzes crucial pipeline safety data, enabling us to take preventative measures to reduce the environmental impact of these vital pipelines.”