Austin News

U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is spearheading an initiative to introduce the Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act, aimed at protecting American energy infrastructure from attacks by radical environmentalists. This legislation seeks to expand current criminal penalties to include acts of vandalism, tampering with, or disrupting the operations or construction of pipelines.

Existing federal law permits criminal charges against individuals who damage or destroy operating pipelines but does not clearly extend these penalties to those who disrupt pipeline operations or construction. The proposed bill addresses this gap. In 2018, charges were dropped against three activists in Minnesota due to a lack of evidence proving that their actions caused “damage” to the pipelines.

“The number of targeted, disruptive activities against vital oil and gas pipelines is growing. These disruptions, whether during construction or operation, are not just inconveniences—they put people’s lives at risk and are direct assaults on our economy and American energy independence,” said Senator Cruz. “I am proud to spearhead legislation to jail eco-terrorists who try to shut down pipelines and prevent the movement of American energy.”

Senator Cynthia Lummis emphasized the importance of punishing those who tamper with pipeline operations: “America’s energy industry is critical to our national security, yet there is little recourse for punishing eco-terrorists who attempt to tamper with or disrupt pipeline construction or operations.”

Senator Todd Young highlighted the significance of protecting America’s transportation sector: “About ninety percent of America’s transportation sector is reliant on oil, and pipeline disruptions pose a major threat to America’s energy security.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn stated: “Domestic eco-terrorists target pipelines in the United States to damage and destroy American energy supplies... This legislation will ensure these individuals are held accountable for any attempt to vandalize, shut down, or disrupt our pipelines.”

Senator Ted Budd also supported the initiative: “Individuals who destroy, vandalize, or damage pipelines or try to violently disrupt the construction of new ones must be prosecuted.”

Senator Deb Fischer added: “Americans’ everyday lives rely on our energy network... so anyone who disrupts any part of our pipeline operations must be held fully accountable.”

The Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act is co-sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Roger Wicker (R-MS).