H.R. 8050House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Preventing Future Vintage Plastic Pipeline Tragedies Act

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Updated March 25, 2026 at 11:47 AM UTC

The Preventing Future Vintage Plastic Pipeline Tragedies Act requires owners and operators of gas distribution pipelines to check their systems for the presence of Aldyl‑A polyethylene, a historic plastic pipe known for safety problems. Within three years of the law’s enactment, they must complete the assessment, report the total mileage of such pipe, and the Secretary of Transportation will use the information for safety oversight. The bill also updates federal safety program definitions to explicitly include historic plastic pipelines.

Key Provisions

Within three years, each gas distribution pipeline owner/operator must assess its network for Aldyl‑A polyethylene piping.
The assessment cannot require excavation; owners must use non‑intrusive methods.
Owners must submit to the Secretary a report estimating the total mileage of Aldyl‑A pipe in their system within the same three‑year window.
Federal safety program language is amended to add “historic plastics with known safety issues” to the categories of pipelines that must be considered in state safety certifications and risk evaluations.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee

March 25, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 24, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

March 24, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee

March 25, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 24, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8050

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 24, 2026

Ms. Houlahan (for herself, Mr. Meuser, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Deluzio, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To direct owners and operators of gas distribution pipeline facilities to assess systems for the presence of Aldyl-A polyethylene, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Preventing Future Vintage Plastic Pipeline Tragedies Act.

Aldyl–A pipelines

(a)

Assessment of aldyl–a polyethylene piping

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, each owner or operator of a gas distribution pipeline facility shall assess its system for the presence of Aldyl–A polyethylene.

(b)

Limitation

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall not require owners and operators of gas distribution pipeline facilities to conduct excavation activities for the purpose of the assessment required under subsection (a).

(2)

Savings provision

Nothing in this subsection affects the authority of the Secretary under—

(A)

section 60112 of title 49, United States Code; or

(B)

subsection (m) or (p) of section 60117 of that title.

(c)

Reporting

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, each owner or operator of a pipeline facility described in subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary the estimated total pipeline mileage identified by the owner or operator as Aldyl–A polyethylene piping.

(d)

State pipeline safety program certifications

Section 60105(b)(9)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking of cast iron and bare steel pipelines and inserting the following:

of—

(i)

cast iron and bare steel pipelines; and

(ii)

pipelines constructed of historic plastics with known safety issues

(e)

Evaluation of risk in distribution integrity management programs

Section 60109(e)(7)(A)(i) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking presence of cast iron pipes and mains in the distribution system; and and inserting the following:

presence, in the distribution system, of pipes and mains made of—

(I)

cast iron;

(II)

unprotected steel;

(III)

wrought iron; or

(IV)

historic plastics with known safety issues; and