Senators Markey and Warren, and Rep. Trahan introduced legislation in wake of Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts natural gas pipeline explosions and fires that killed 19-year old Leonel Rondon

Washington (November 20, 2019) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) commended the House Energy and Commerce Committee for inclusion and passage of their legislation, the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act, in its SAFER Pipelines Act. The Senators and Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) introduced their legislation in the wake of the September 2018 Merrimack Valley natural gas disaster that killed Leonel Rondon, injured more than two dozen, and damaged more than 100 structures. Large portions of their legislation, which responds to gaps uncovered during Senator Markey’s investigation with Senator Warren into the deadly disaster, were passed out of the Senator Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in July 2019.

“We’re proud to see the House Committee on Energy and Commerce include the pipeline safety bill we authored with Rep. Trahan as an amendment to their SAFER Pipelines Act,” said Senators Markey and Warren. “We must enact the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act to honor the memory of the young man killed by the reckless gas explosion and ensure no community in Massachusetts or anywhere has to face a similar disaster to the one families and businesses lived through in the Merrimack Valley.”

On November 26, 2018, Senator Markey hosted a Senate Commerce Committee field hearing in Lawrence with Senator Warren, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), then-Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-03), Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Congresswoman Trahan.

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