When we say at DOT that safety is our number one priority, we are not kidding around. And today, as part of that important goal, President Obama signed into law the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act. 

Last April, following several fatal pipeline accidents, we called upon U.S. pipeline owners and operators to conduct a comprehensive review of their oil and gas pipelines to identify areas of high risk and accelerate critical repair and replacement work.  We also convened a Pipeline Safety Forum with state officials, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss steps for improving the safety and efficiency of America's pipeline infrastructure. 

In one of their final actions for 2011, the House and Senate passed a pipeline safety bill consistent with the legislative proposal we submitted to Congress last year.  This legislation gives the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, an important part of DOT, stronger enforcement tools and increases civil penalties for pipeline operators who do not meet safety regulations. It's another terrific step forward for greater pipeline safety. 

Not only will this legislation help keep America's communities safer; it also helps give pipeline operators the certainty they need to run their systems more effectively.

To advance pipeline safety, the bill doubles the maximum fines that pipeline operators face for safety violations. The Bill requires PHMSA to issue new pipeline safety standards requiring operators to install automatic or remote-controlled shut-off valves and excess flow valves in new or replaced transmission pipelines.  As U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller said, "Communities can rest a little easier knowing that Congress has implemented tougher safety rules."

The bill authorizes PHMSA to award $110 million in safety-related grants each year. These include state damage prevention programs, technical assistance to local communities, emergency response training, and one-call system improvements.  And PHMSA is authorized to add a number of new pipeline inspectors to support its investigation and enforcement obligations. 

To promote regulatory certainty for the pipeline industry, the new bill prohibits PHMSA during a two to three year Congressional review period, from issuing regulations establishing leak-detection requirements or expanding integrity management requirements beyond high-consequence areas.  However, this restriction would not apply if a condition poses any risk to public safety, property, or the environment. 

As the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee observed, "By providing greater regulatory certainty, the bill will help create a better economic environment for U.S. businesses to create jobs." 

This bill is a win for safety and a win for America's communities. And, by signing it into law on the first business day of the new year, President Obama has sent a clear message that this Administration believes we can achieve greater safety and stronger economic growth at the same time. 

I can't think of a better way to start 2012.

President Barack Obama signs H.R. 847, the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act” in Kailua, Hawaii, Jan. 2, 2011.

“We will never forget the searing images of September 11, 2001. And we will never forget the selfless courage demonstrated by the firefighters, police officers, and first responders who risked their lives to save others.  In the face of unspeakable brutality and evil, these brave men and women demonstrated the enduring strength of our values and the American spirit.  Many who survived did not emerge from the dust and debris unscathed, facing continuing health problems as a result of their service.

-- President Barack Obama

On January 2, President Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act into law, ensuring that rescue and recovery workers, residents, students, and others suffering from health consequences related to the World Trade Center disaster would be able to access the medical treatment they need.

The act established the World Trade Center Health Program, and expanded eligibilty for compensation under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2011.

Last week, President Obama signed a bill reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for another six years. This long-term reauthorization is good news for the innovative small businesses that these programs support.  SBIR and STTR invest about $2.5 billion a year in America’s most promising small research and development companies. Through SBIR and STTR, federal agencies with large R&D budgets provide competitive awards to help small businesses bring their best innovations from the drawing board to the marketplace. SBIR and STTR operate in three phases, providing support for research, development, and commercialization.

Over the years, SBIR and STTR have played a role in the growth of firms like Qualcomm, Symantec, and others. From 2002 to 2006, about 25% of R&D Magazine’s top 100 annual innovations came from companies that had received an SBIR grant at some point in their history.
 
Despite this track record, the future of SBIR and STTR had been subject to repeated short-term funding from Congress over the past ten years. This new, long-term reauthorization provides certainty and stability for the small businesses that leverage these programs to create jobs. In fact, it strengthens SBIR and STTR, proving more funding for small businesses to drive innovation, create jobs, and grow our economy. It increases the amount these programs can award to small businesses, shortens the timeline for award decisions, and improves the focus on commercializing the innovative products that will change the world.
 
SBIR and STTR are a win-win. Federal agencies are able to meet their R&D needs, while small businesses get the chance to bring their innovations into the marketplace. The reauthorization ensures that small businesses will have access to much needed investments. Money from these programs will go directly to small businesses to help them drive innovation, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and create good jobs.  

Now, they've compiled some of their favorite images from 2011. Check out the slideshow (and click through for captions).

Transcript | Download mp4 | Download mp3

After much debate, the interns in the White House Office of Digital Strategy have decided on their 10 must-see videos of 2011. These funny, memorable, inspirational—and even quirky—videos highlight the best behind-the-scenes moments at the White House and feature sensational musical performances, holiday preparations, civil rights leaders, impressive young Americans, and more.

Take a closer look inside the White House and see the behind-the-scenes footage that you don’t want to miss.  For even more White House videos from 2011 and years past , visit Youtube.com/WhiteHouse.

10. Smart Youngsters Saving the World: Google Science Fair

This October, President Obama welcomed the winners of the first-ever Google Global Science Fair to the White House. Hear the stories of the three remarkable, young, American women who swept the awards and find out what the journey to success has been like.

Don’t Miss: Cancer research, air quality control, and chicken marinades…unlocking scientific discoveries at the age of 14!

9. The First Lady Rocks to Beyonce

In May, First Lady Michelle Obama made a surprise visit to Alice Deal Middle School to join students in a Lets Move! Flash Workout. More than 600 schools across the country participated in similar workouts at the same time.

Don’t Miss: A special tribute to Beyonce’s dance moves from our very own First Lady, Michelle Obama. 

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The report includes ten initiatives proposed by the Rental Policy Working Group that will more efficiently align rental programs across government agencies, including inspections, financial reporting, appraisals, energy efficiency standards, and fair housing compliance enforcement, among others. And every one of these improvements can be done without legislation or new funding, through a combination of education, outreach, issuing Agency guidance, and rule changes.

This effort dates back to 2010 when the White House Domestic Policy Council created the interagency Rental Policy Working Group (RPWG) with the Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and the Treasury. The RPWG convened several conferences at the White House with local and state housing agencies and property owners and developers to discuss best practices in affordable housing delivery.
 
As we begin implementation of these initiatives, we look forward to sharing our progress with you and hope you will keep in touch with our efforts through the Domestic Policy Council Urban Affairs blog  and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's site. 

Derek Douglas is a Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs in the White House Domestic Policy Council

May 1, 2011: President Obama and his top national security aides gathered in the White House Situation Room receive minute-by-minute updates about the Navy SEAL operation in Pakistan that ended with the death of Osama bin Laden.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Seated, from left, are: Brigadier General Marshall B. “Brad” Webb, Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command; Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Standing, from left, are: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; Chief of Staff Bill Daley; Tony Binken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; Audrey Tomason Director for Counterterrorism; John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Please note: a classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

September 11, 2011: President Obama takes a moment to reflect at the newly opened September 11 memorial in New York on the tenth anniversary of the attacks. The memorial features two reflecting pools built over the towers' footprints where the names of the victims are etched in bronze

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, along with former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, pause at the North Memorial Pool of the National September 11 Memorial in New York, N.Y., on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks against the United States, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. The North Memorial pool sits in the footprint of the north tower, formerly 1 World Trade Center. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

July 16, 2011: President Obama meets with the Dalai Lama.

President Barack Obama meets with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama in the Map Room of the White House. July 16, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

July 15, 2011: Norman Rockwell's iconic painting "The Problem We All Live With," depicting the desegregation of New Orleans schools, hangs in the West Wing at President Obama's request. Ruby Bridges, the girl portrayed in the image, joined the President to see how a painting commemorating this personal and historic milestone looks hanging on the wall outside of the Oval Office.

President Barack Obama, Ruby Bridges, and representatives of the Norman Rockwell Museum view Rockwell’s "The Problem We All Live With,” hanging in a West Wing hallway near the Oval Office, July 15, 2011. Bridges is the girl portrayed the painting.

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