LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) -- A Michigan senator's bill to increase funding for U.S. pipeline safety and security has passed the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) was one of four bipartisan senators who introduced the PIPELINE Safety Act, which would reauthorize and "significantly increase funding" for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) safety programs for the next five years.

Peters says these programs help the state of Michigan inspect and maintain more than 100,000 miles of pipeline in the state and would require operators to protect against the threat of cyberattacks.

“This bill takes necessary steps to strengthen our pipeline infrastructure and help prevent potential accidents before they occur, keeping

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