Offshore oil: pipeline safety.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Emergency Management
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, known as the Elder California Pipeline Safety Act, aims to improve the safety of offshore oil pipelines in California. It mandates stricter regulations for pipeline inspections, particularly near environmentally sensitive coastal areas, and requires the use of best available technology to prevent oil spills. The bill also establishes procedures for exempting pipeline safety applications from public review and addresses the potential reactivation of pipelines following spills, including requirements for retrofitting and public notification.
Key provisions
- Requires the State Fire Marshal to adopt and enforce pipeline safety regulations compliant with federal standards.
- Mandates the use of best available technology, including leak detection systems, for pipelines near environmentally sensitive coastal areas.
- Establishes a 60-day public comment period for exemption applications from pipeline safety regulations.
- Requires California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review for projects receiving pipeline safety exemptions.
- Prohibits the reactivation of pipelines with a history of reportable incidents (e.g., oil spills) unless specific conditions are met.
- Sets a deadline for permanent abandonment of pipelines that have spilled 10,000 gallons or more of oil.
- Requires new pipelines in the coastal zone to submit an oil leak detection and response plan.
- Prohibits operation within 0.5 miles of state parks, ecological reserves, or wildlife areas for pipelines with significant historical oil spills.
Bill text
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