Natural gas pipelines; contingency plan, discharges, penalty. (HB1188)
Introduced By
Del. Chris Hurst (D-Blacksburg) with support from co-patron Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
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 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. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/10/2018 | Committee |
| 01/10/2018 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18104753D |
| 01/10/2018 | Impact statement from VCSC (HB1188) |
| 01/10/2018 | Referred to Committee on Rules |
| 02/01/2018 | Referred from Rules |
| 02/01/2018 | Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources |
| 02/05/2018 | Assigned ACNR sub: Subcommittee #4 |
| 02/06/2018 | Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (4-Y 2-N) |
| 02/13/2018 | Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources |
Comments
I support this bill. I am a landowner with a well in Giles County, with obvious karst topography in my area. I need protection for my drinking water.
My four businesses and 2 family homes depend on one source of water; a spring. We need protection from this disaster.
This bill is necessary; the pipeline operators need to establish baseline water quality for each home prior to construction, otherwise they will claim that any damage to the drinking water was present prior to construction.
I support this bill with 2 reservations. First, the prior testing requirement should document quantity as well as quality of the water resource since pipeline construction may disrupt underground water passages and decrease or even eliminate current water supplies.
Secondly, to require testing of only those properties "in the right-of-way" is rather short sighted since we have documentation proving water moves up to 7 miles underground in this area.
Water is life. It must be protected. I support this bill.
I support this bill.
Pam Humphries comments above echo my concerns as well. Water quality degradation effects are not limited to the right of way properties.
HB 1188 is absolutely essential legislation to safeguard property owners and the Commonwealth from damage caused by spills associated with the construction and operation of Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines.
Of critical importance is the protections this bill provides for state water quality. Passage of this legislation is even more important given the failure of the State Water Control Board and DEQ staff to adequately assess the threats to water posed by these two pipelines.
I support this bill. However testing of water that may be tainted in the AQUIFER which is being affected is an important addition to this bill since groundwater in our karst regions moves in many directions away from point of source contamination.
This is a reasonable approach to preserving quality of well and spring water in areas within the watershed of a pipeline construction project. I too would support testing of the aquifer itself, especially in areas of karst geology. I support this bill.
I support this bill.
I support this proposed legislation which provides for state water quality to safeguard property owners and the Commonwealth from damage caused by spills associated with the construction and operation of pipelines. I too would support testing of the aquifer itself.