Congress of the United States: ‘Washington, DE 20515 October 23, 2017 ‘The Honorable Jeff Sessions ‘Attomey General US. Department of Justice 980 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 Dear Attorney General Sessions: Multiple media sources have reported recent attempts to disrupt the transmission of ol and natural gas through interstate and infemational pipeline infrastructure. In some instances, individuals have used blow torches to bur holes in pipelines or promoted violence against ofl and gas company employees. In April, a newspaper in Colorado went as far as publishing letter {o the editor that stated, “Ifthe oil and gas industry pus racking wells in our neighborhoods, threatening our lives and our children’s lives, then don’t we have a moral responsibility to blow up wells and eliminate fracking and workers?" While we ate strong advocates forthe First Amendment, violence toward individuals and destruction of property are both illegal and potentially fatal, Damaging pipeline infrastructure poses multiple risks to humans and the environment. When an individual bursa hole through pipeline curenlly in operation, there is a high probability this could ignite the contents, killing not only the perpetrator but ote innocent vietims. It also has ‘the potential to cause property and environmental damage, as wel a disrupt services to ‘Recent incidents of individuals attempting to shut down lines by turing valves at pump stations illustrate the danger. Operation of pipeline facilities by unqualified personnel could result in a rupture the consequences af which would be devastating. Even though some activists commit these ats of sabotage to raise awareness about elimate change, they only erete the serous risk ‘of harm to the environment they claim to care about We realize the Department of Justice (D04) faces unique challenges when confronting these crimes, including identifying suspeots amidst the rural and remote infrastructure across the country. But maintaining safe and reliable energy infrastructure isa matter of national security. * pater conv2017104/22folorado-paper-retuses-o-etracete.calng-o-volence-aganst ‘rockers!‘With this information in mind, we request that you respond tothe following questions: 1. Do existing federal statutes, including the Patriot Act and Pipeline Safety Act, adequately ‘am the DOJ to prosecute criminal activity against energy infrastructure atthe federal level? 2. Has the DOS taken any prosecutorial or investigative ction against those involved with the highly publicized October 11, 2016, attempted sabotage of four major crude oil pipelines in multiple states? I no, please explain the DOJ's reasoning for not pursuing thie ave 3. Does the DOJ intend to pursue federal prosecutorial or investigative action of any individuals who knowingly and wilfully damaged or destroyed interstate or international pipeline infastructure? 4, Do the attacks against the nation’s energy infiastructure, which pose a threat to human life, and appear to be intended to intimidate and coerce policy changes, fll within the DOJ’s understanding of 18 U.S.C. Section 2331(5)? We look forward to your response and to working together on this important ise, Respectflly, ia Ken Buck vin Cramet ‘Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress Lamar Smith Steve Scalise Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress rent Fr Doug Lamborn Member offongress Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of CongressBig ‘Member of Congress nth ? fe Member of Congress Cre Member of Congress Merhber of Congress het ‘Membet of Congress ‘Brian Babin ‘Member of Congress Paal Gosar ‘Member of Congress Ralph Norman ‘Member of Congress } il “Member of Congress Va ‘Aevian Smith ‘Member of Congress ~ \\wdan ‘Membr of CongressGezg toe” a Greg Gianfone “Member of Congress feu hn ‘wayne Mullin ‘Member of Congress way: ‘Thomas A. Garet, Ir, Member of Congress ~ ‘Steve Pearce v4 Member of Congress AaDter Frank Lucas Member of Congress Webbs m ZL Michael T. MeCaul Member of Congress Dd cS MoBrobre ‘Mo Brooks ‘Member of Congress Gene GreenRichard Hudson Rober E. Latta 9 “Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress 7 or ca LAG é ee Member of Congress Member af Congress ‘Brace Westerman ‘Member of Congress 46 ‘Member of Congress Vy fr Vicente Gonzalez ‘Member of Congress ‘Bugdfon, MD. ‘Member fifCongress Cll b~ Louie Gohmert Graves ‘Member of Congress fember of Congresshn Rati inde rae hetero Cogs Ralph Abraham, MD. Member of Congress ScaitTipton Member of Congress lackbarn ‘Member of Congress Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress & Johnson f “ Member of Congress Micliel C. Burgeyé M.D. ke ‘Allen 7 ‘Member of Congress Member of Congress ys ne ‘Memb of Congress(A 6M. ‘Ted Buda er Marshall ‘Member of Congress Member of Congress Ron Estes ‘Rick Crawiord ‘Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress Daniel Webster Ds ‘or TZ. 7 Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress Dé hm, \ Dacre Wollne sik Daniel M. Donovan, J. Jackie Walorski “Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress Teal Kelly i ‘Menlber of Congres) fer of Congress Pics bay Dees ‘Member of Congress (Mee ‘ike Johnson Robert Ptenger ‘Member of Congress Member of Congress= “eakins, ¥ ‘Member of Congress li tz faved |i ae Olen David Kost Member of Congres Maar of Congres Mathe.4S; ‘Martha MeSally jewhous Member of Congress “Member of Congress