H.R. 3796: Safety from Aerial Technology Act

This bill, titled the **Safety from Aerial Technology Act** (SAT Act), aims to amend existing regulations concerning pipeline inspections in the United States. Specifically, the bill focuses on the use of unmanned aircraft systems (commonly known as drones) and satellites for inspecting pipelines and their rights-of-way, which are the areas of land around the pipelines that are maintained for safe operation.

Key Provisions

• The bill permits the Secretary of Transportation to authorize the use of unmanned aircraft systems and satellites for inspections of pipeline facilities.
• Pipelines and their operators are required to inspect the surface conditions on or adjacent to their rights-of-way.
• The use of aerial technology for these inspections is intended to enhance safety and efficiency in monitoring pipeline conditions.
• While authorizing this use, the bill specifies that operators of unmanned aircraft systems or satellites must still comply with existing laws and regulations governing their operation.

Impact on Pipeline Inspections

The primary aim of the SAT Act is to improve how pipeline inspections are conducted. Traditionally, these inspections might require manual surveys, which can be time-consuming and may not capture comprehensive data as effectively as aerial methods.

By using drones and satellites, operators can potentially:

• Gather data more quickly and accurately.
• Monitor changes in the environment surrounding pipelines.
• Enhance safety by reducing the need for personnel to enter potentially hazardous areas during inspections.

Regulatory Compliance

While the bill encourages the adoption of new technologies for pipeline inspections, it also maintains the current regulatory framework that governs the operation of unmanned aircraft systems and satellites. This means that any company interested in utilizing drones or satellite technology will still need to adhere to relevant laws and regulations, ensuring that safety and compliance remain priorities.

Relevant Companies

• AAPL - Apple Inc. may develop or utilize drone technology for various applications, including data collection related to infrastructure.
• GOOGL - Alphabet Inc. (parent company of Google) has interests in drone technology, which could be leveraged for inspections and data analysis in pipeline management.
• BA - Boeing Co. manufactures drone technology and would be impacted by increased demand for unmanned aerial systems in the pipeline inspection sector.
• RTX - Raytheon Technologies has business interests in unmanned systems that could be used for pipeline monitoring and inspections.