Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senators Todd Young from Indiana and Tim Sheehy from Montana have reintroduced the Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act. This legislation aims to address gaps in current federal law concerning the protection of energy infrastructure against eco-terrorism.

Existing laws impose penalties for "knowingly and willfully damaging or destroying" pipelines, but according to the senators, these laws lack specificity that allows eco-terrorists to evade accountability. The proposed act seeks to close this loophole.

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

Senator Sheehy echoed this sentiment, stating, “Americans rely on affordable, accessible, reliable energy in nearly every facet of their lives, so holding eco-terrorist thugs who attack and try to prevent the flow of energy in our nation accountable is pure common sense. This legislation makes clear we will not tolerate radical environmentalists trying to unlawfully stop us in our mission to unleash American energy, lower costs, and protect our nation.”

The bill has garnered support from several other senators including Ted Cruz from Texas, Dan Sullivan from Alaska, Ted Budd from North Carolina, Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia, Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee, and Deb Fischer from Nebraska.

Senator Young was also an original cosponsor when the bill was first introduced during the 118th Congress.

The background context for this legislative effort includes incidents such as those in 2016 when climate activists turned emergency shut-off valves on pipelines in Minnesota. Although no damage was proven at trial due to valve-turning actions by activists who admitted their involvement, such acts underscore what supporters see as an increasing threat posed by radical environmental groups.

The proposed legislation aims to clarify criminal penalties by explicitly covering acts like "vandalizing," "tampering with," "disrupting," or "preventing" pipeline operations or construction. Proponents argue that this clarification would hold perpetrators accountable while serving as a deterrent against future attacks on vital U.S. energy infrastructure.