Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) has collaborated with fellow Senate Commerce Committee Republicans to introduce the Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act. This legislation aims to protect American energy infrastructure from attacks or threats by expanding current criminal penalties to include vandalism, tampering with, or disrupting the operations or construction of pipelines that transport oil and gas in the U.S.

"About ninety percent of America’s transportation sector is reliant on oil, and pipeline disruptions pose a major threat to America’s energy security," stated Senator Young. "Our legislation takes much-needed steps to better protect our critical infrastructure and deter attacks on America’s pipelines."

Under existing federal law, individuals who damage or destroy operating pipelines can face criminal charges. However, these penalties do not explicitly cover those who vandalize, tamper with, or disrupt pipeline operations or construction. The Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act seeks to address this gap.

The full text of the legislation is available here.