Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) today introduced the Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act to protect American energy from attacks by radical environmentalists. The bill would expand current criminal penalties to deter disruptive activities that target the operation or construction of pipelines transporting oil and gas.
“America’s energy independence is fundamental to our national security. Radical eco-terrorists must be deterred from disrupting oil and gas pipelines. I stand firmly with Sen. Sheehy to expand criminal penalties for extremists who vandalize, tamper with, or disrupt the operation or construction of U.S. pipelines,” said Senator Budd.
“Americans depend on affordable, accessible, reliable energy in nearly every facet of their lives, so holding eco-terrorist thugs who attack and try to prevent the flow of energy in our nation accountable is pure common sense. This legislation makes clear we will not tolerate radical environmentalists trying to unlawfully stop us in our mission to unleash American energy, lower costs, and protect our nation,” said Senator Sheehy.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Shelly Moore Capito (R- W.Va.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined Senators Budd and Sheehy in introducing the bill.
Read the full bill text HERE.
Background
Current federal law allows for criminal charges against individuals who damage or destroy operating pipelines. However, it does not clearly apply these penalties to those who vandalize, tamper with, or disrupt the operation or construction of a pipeline. The Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act would correct that oversight. In 2018, criminal charges were dropped against three radical environmental activists who sought to shut down two Minnesota pipelines on the grounds that prosecutors failed to prove that turning the emergency shut-off valves resulted in “damage” to the pipelines.
This simple clarification would hold eco-terrorists accountable. It would also provide an important deterrent by sending a strong signal that brazen assaults on critical American energy infrastructure will not be tolerated.
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