Sheehy Leads Effort to Protect American Energy from Eco-terrorists

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (R – Mont.) today introduced the Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act to protect American energy from eco-terrorists.

Current federal law applies criminal penalties for “knowingly and willfully damaging or destroying” pipelines, but eco-terrorists and other radical environmental activists exploit the law’s lack of specificity. The Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act, led by Senator Cruz in the last Congress, would close the legal loophole for eco-terrorists to hold them accountable.

“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,” said Senator Sheehy.

 Senators Cruz (R – TX), Sullivan (R – AK), Budd (R – N.C.), Capito (R – W.Va.), Blackburn (R – Tenn.), Young (R – Ind.), and Fischer (R – Neb.) joined Senator Sheehy in introducing the bill.

“The Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act will help ensure that those who vandalize, disrupt, or sabotage critical pipeline infrastructure are held accountable. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill expeditiously,”said Senator Cruz.

 “Energy security and national security are inseparable. Eco-terrorists who blow up pipelines don’t just put people’s lives in danger, they jeopardize the livelihoods of hard-working Americans, weaken our economy, and make Americans vulnerable to hostile foreign suppliers for energy resources. This legislation will ensure these criminals are punished to the full extent of the law,” said Senator Sullivan.  

“America’s energy independence is fundamental to our national security. Radical eco-terrorists must be deterred from disrupting oil and gas pipelines. I stand firmly with Sen. Sheehy to expand criminal penalties for extremists who vandalize, tamper with, or disrupt the operation or construction of U.S. pipelines,” said Senator Budd.

 “West Virginia is an energy producing state and pipelines are essential. This bill makes sure that there will be clear penalties for those criminals that vandalize and disrupt a pipeline’s operation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure this bill is included in a pipeline safety authorization bill this year,” said Senator Capito.

 “Left-wing environmental activists should never be encouraged to damage and destroy pipelines that Americans rely on. This bill would make the criminal penalties for vandalizing pipelines crystal clear,” said Senator Blackburn.

 “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,” said Senator Young.

 “Americans’ everyday lives rely on our energy network. Our businesses, our transportation, and our economy need oil and gas to function—so anyone who disrupts any part of our pipeline operations must be held fully accountable. The Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act will protect our energy and Americans’ livelihoods by expanding criminal penalties for these disruptors,” said Senator Fischer.

Background
In 2018, climate activists turned emergency shut-off valves on pipelines in Minnesota, forcing the operators to turn off the pipelines to prevent damage. The activists admitted to their attack, but a judge ruled that the prosecution failed to prove damage from valve-turning. Eco-terrorist attacks like this are increasing as radical environmental activists and extremist climate change propaganda rise in influence and become more expansive in tactics and messaging.

This bill would clarify criminal penalties for “damaging and destroying” pipelines by covering “vandalizing, tampering with, disrupting the operation or construction of, or preventing the operation or construction of” pipelines.

This simple clarification would hold eco-terrorists accountable. It would also provide an important deterrent by sending a strong signal that brazen assaults on critical American energy infrastructure will not be tolerated.

Read more on the bill HERE. Read the full bill text HERE.