84 House members press DOJ on pipe sabotage, ask if statutory changes needed

摘要

Eighty-four members of Congress have asked US Attorney General Jeff Sessions to examine whether existing statutes are adequate to prosecute vandalism against oil and gas pipelines following attempts last October by climate activists to sabotage four major crude oil pipelines crossing the US-Canada border, along with other subsequent incidents. In a letter October 26, the House members also asked whether DOJ has pursued those involved in the crude oil pipeline incidents, as well as whether it has plans for further prosecutions or investigations of people who knowingly damaged interstate or intrastate pipelines. In addition, they asked whether attacks on energy infrastructure, which pose a danger and appear meant to coerce policy changes, fall under definitions of domestic terrorism.