Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) have introduced the bipartisan Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act in response to a jet fuel leak from the Sunoco Twin Oaks pipeline, which contaminated private wells in Upper Makefield, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The legislation aims to reform pipeline safety, emergency response, and transparency across the United States.
The bill is named after the Wojnovich family, who were first to report concerns about contamination. It includes measures such as modernizing pipelines through federal grants for high-risk lines, expanding public access to inspection and remediation data via an improved Pipeline Viewer platform managed by DOT/PHMSA, requiring mandatory disclosure of nearby pipelines before property sales, strengthening emergency alert systems and response plans, enhancing leak detection with in-person sampling for older or repaired pipelines, increasing penalties for leaks and delayed reporting, reimbursing local fire departments and EMS for costs related to cleanup efforts, and establishing an Office of Public Engagement for regular oversight.
Fitzpatrick stated: “Every page of this bill is shaped by what Upper Makefield families lived through — the gaps in testing, the delays in information, the uncertainty about their water, and the absence of clear standards for communication and emergency response. Working side by side with the Mt. Eyre Task Force and the affected families made it unmistakably clear where federal law was failing them. The Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act closes those gaps with the strongest pipeline safety reforms in more than a decade.”
He added: “I refused to accept slow-walking, half-measures, or excuses. From the very first day, we pressed every agency together, demanding action, transparency, and full accountability. This legislation turns that collective effort into permanent protections. And the courage of this community will now strengthen federal law and protect families across the country.”
Suozzi commented: “The Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act is a commonsense, bipartisan step to modernize outdated infrastructure, prevent dangerous leaks, and ensure that emergency responders and the public are informed and protected. This bill puts public safety first, increases transparency, and ensures local emergency responders are reimbursed for expenses incurred from the cleanup of a pipeline leak or accident. It’s time to make sure our infrastructure meets the demands of the 21st century.”
Kristine Wojnovich from Mt. Eyre Task Force said: “When our family first reported the smell of fuel in our water we were made to feel like we were imagining it — even as jet fuel was entering our home and our neighbors’ wells. Speaking up wasn’t easy but we refused to stay quiet because we knew something was dangerously wrong. Congressman Fitzpatrick came into our home saw what we were living through and stood with our community when not many did… For our family and our neighbors this bill means our experience mattered… We appreciate that Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick immediately saw the urgency of this situation to us and our community and has acted on our behalf.”
The Twin Oaks incident revealed several issues including undetected leaks over extended periods—possibly 16 months—contamination affecting at least six private wells; unclear communication; unreimbursed costs for emergency responders; as well as inconsistent updates from state and federal agencies.
Brian Fitzpatrick has represented Pennsylvania’s 1st district since 2017 after replacing Mike Fitzpatrick in Congress (https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/about). He was born in Philadelphia in 1973 (https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/about), lives in Levittown (https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/about), graduated from La Salle University with a BS degree in 1996 (https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/about), earned his JD from Pennsylvania State University at Carlisle in 2001 (https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/about).
The proposed legislation seeks nationwide improvements so communities do not face similar failures again.
