HB1188
Natural gas pipelines; contingency plan, discharges, penalty.
Summary
As Introduced. Natural gas pipelines; contingency plan; operation; discharge; penalty.
Requires the operator of any natural gas pipeline of a certain size, prior to operation, to commission an independent test of the quality of ground water for each property in the right-of-way and to file a gas discharge contingency plan that is approved by the State Water Control Board (the ... (More) Board). The bill authorizes the Board to adopt regulations requiring testing and inspection of the pipeline and annual retesting of ground water at properties in the right-of-way and a demonstration of financial responsibility by the operator. The bill prohibits the discharge of gas, establishes penalties for those discharging or causing or permitting a discharge or a substantial threat of such discharge, and establishes legal liability and defenses. The bill requires any person discharging gas immediately to report it to the Board and to local authorities but allows a discharge of up to 25 standard cubic feet of gas to be reported to the Board through normal recordkeeping. The bill requires recordkeeping by the pipeline operator, authorizes the Board to collect administrative fees, and provides for enforcement and civil and criminal penalties. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/10/2018 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18104753D
- 01/10/2018 - House: Impact statement from VCSC (HB1188)
- 01/10/2018 - House: Referred to Committee on Rules
- 02/01/2018 - House: Referred from Rules
- 02/01/2018 - House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
- 02/05/2018 - House: Assigned ACNR sub: Subcommittee #4
- 02/06/2018 - House: Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (4-Y 2-N)
- 02/13/2018 - House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
