Bipartisan Bill Seeks Higher Penalties After Twin Oaks Pipeline Leak
A jet fuel leak from the 66-year-old Twin Oaks pipeline in Pennsylvania—owned by Sunoco, a subsidiary of the Dallas-based pipeline company Energy Transfer—has triggered a bipartisan push in Congress to increase federal penalties on oil pipeline leaks.
The incident, which occurred earlier this year, led Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) to introduce legislation aimed at raising civil fines and strengthening federal oversight of aging liquid pipelines across the country.
Lawmakers Say Leak Exposed Systemic Failures
Push for Stronger Penalties and Accountability
Fitzpatrick said the Twin Oaks incident made clear that federal enforcement must be stronger.
“I refused to accept slow-walking, half-measures, or excuses. From the very first day, we pressed every agency together, demanding action, transparency, and full accountability,” Fitzpatrick said. “This legislation turns that collective effort into permanent protections. And the courage of this community will now strengthen federal law and protect families across the country.”
Suozzi echoed those concerns and emphasized modernization.
“The Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act is a commonsense, bipartisan step to modernize outdated infrastructure, prevent dangerous leaks, and ensure that emergency responders and the public are informed and protected,” said Suozzi. “This bill puts public safety first, increases transparency, and ensures local emergency responders are reimbursed for expenses incurred from the cleanup of a pipeline leak or accident.”
The proposed bill sets a $2.5 million civil penalty for hazardous liquid pipeline leaks, a significant jump from current caps.
What the Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act Would Do
Targeted Upgrades, Transparency Requirements, and New Penalties
Lawmakers say the bill directly responds to failures revealed by the Twin Oaks jet-fuel leak. Key provisions include:
Pipeline Modernization
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Creates a federal grant program to replace or upgrade high-risk hazardous liquid pipelines.
Public Transparency Improvements
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Requires the Department of Transportation and PHMSA to overhaul the Pipeline Viewer, allowing families to easily access:
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Leak data
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Inspection histories
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Remediation information
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Homebuyer Protections
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Mandates disclosure of nearby pipelines, including:
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Contents
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Operators
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Incident history
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Stronger Emergency Response
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Requires localized emergency alert systems.
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Updates and enforces response plans for first responders.
Leak Detection and Water Testing
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Mandates in-person sampling at incident sites.
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Requires enhanced inspections for older or previously repaired pipelines.
Higher Penalties and Enforcement
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Implements multi-million-dollar civil penalties for leaks, failures, or delayed reporting.
Support for Local Responders
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Reimburses fire departments and EMS for:
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Overtime
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Equipment
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Cleanup operations
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Public Engagement
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Establishes an Office of Public Engagement to ensure communities are involved in oversight and informed of risks.
The bill represents one of the most significant pushes in years to increase accountability for hazardous liquid pipelines—especially older lines like Twin Oaks, which was built in the 1950s and continues to move jet fuel through heavily populated regions.