H.R. 8050 — Preventing Future Vintage Plastic Pipeline Tragedies Act

This section requires each owner or operator of a gas distribution pipeline facility to assess its system for the presence of Aldyl-A polyethylene piping and submit to the Secretary of Transportation an estimate of the total mileage identified, both not later than three years after the date of enactment. The section prohibits the Secretary from requiring excavation activities for this assessment but preserves the Secretary's authority under 49 U.S.C. 60112 (corrective action orders for hazardous pipeline facilities) and 60117(m) and (p) (related enforcement provisions). The section further (1) amends state pipeline safety program certification requirements under 49 U.S.C. 60105(b)(9)(A)—which enable states to receive federal grants for pipeline safety activities—to cover pipelines constructed of historic plastics with known safety issues, in addition to cast iron and bare steel pipelines (previously cast iron and bare steel pipelines only); and (2) amends distribution integrity management program requirements under 49 U.S.C. 60109(e)(7)(A)(i)—which require gas distribution operators to identify and mitigate risks—to cover the presence of pipes and mains made of cast iron, unprotected steel, wrought iron, or historic plastics with known safety issues (previously cast iron pipes and mains only). (Thus, Aldyl-A polyethylene—a vintage plastic piping material prone to brittle failure—is explicitly addressed.)