More than 110 national, state, and local organizations have signed a letter urging Congressional leaders to reject protest criminalization language in legislation that would reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA). The letter, delivered from Washington, DC, focuses specifically on provisions that groups say would turn peaceful protest into a federal offense.
The coalition argues that the language is out of place in a bill meant to address pipeline safety, and that it would chill legitimate public opposition to energy infrastructure. The letter does not address other elements of the PHMSA reauthorization, and the source does not indicate whether any lawmakers have responded or whether the provision has enough support to pass.