Plant Safety Authorities Coordination Act of 2025
Summary
The Plant Safety Authorities Coordination Act of 2025 amends Title 49 of the United States Code, modifying the definition of 'transporting gas'. It excludes certain movements of gas within or near a plant from being classified as 'transporting gas'. This adjustment aims to clarify regulatory oversight and potentially reduce compliance burdens for plant operators.
Expected Effects
The act will likely result in a narrower scope of federal regulation concerning gas transportation. Plant operators may experience reduced compliance costs and greater operational flexibility. However, it could also shift more regulatory responsibility to state or local authorities, or potentially lead to gaps in oversight.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced regulatory burden for plant operators, potentially lowering operational costs.
- Increased flexibility for plants in managing gas movement within their facilities.
- Clarification of the definition of 'transporting gas', reducing ambiguity in regulatory compliance.
- Potential for streamlined operations and improved efficiency within plants.
- May encourage investment in plant infrastructure due to reduced regulatory hurdles.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for reduced federal oversight of gas transportation safety within and around plants.
- Possible shift of regulatory burden to state and local authorities, creating inconsistencies.
- Risk of regulatory gaps if state and local authorities do not adequately address plant safety.
- Potential for increased environmental or safety risks if plants are not adequately regulated.
- Could lead to inconsistent safety standards across different regions.
Constitutional Alignment
The act falls under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. By modifying the definition of 'transporting gas', the act adjusts the scope of federal regulation in an area related to interstate commerce. The act does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).