Bill Text: MI SB0702 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Environmental protection: air pollution; methane from oil or gas wells; require control or capture of. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 61506e.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-08 - Referred To Committee On Environmental Quality [SB0702 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2019-SB0702-Introduced.html

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SENATE BILL NO. 702

January 08, 2020, Introduced by Senator IRWIN and referred to the Committee on Environmental Quality.

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 61506e.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 61506e. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a person shall not operate an oil or gas well except in conjunction with a methane control or capture system capable of reducing fugitive methane emissions by 99%. This subsection does not apply to a well that consists only of a wellhead.

(2) Subsection (1) applies beginning on the date rules are promulgated under subsection (6). However, if a permit was issued for an oil or gas well under section 61525 before the date rules are promulgated under subsection (6), subsection (1) applies to that well beginning on a date determined by rules described in subsection (6)(b).

(3) The operator of an oil or gas well shall not use flaring as a method to control methane emissions.

(4) An operator that violates subsection (1) or (3) shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of $100,000.00. This subsection does not apply if a methane control or capture system malfunctions and the operator promptly repairs the system.

(5) If an operator fails to install and utilize a methane control or capture system within 180 days after the time required by this section or rules promulgated under this section or violates subsection (3), the supervisor shall revoke the operator's permit for the well.

(6) Within 180 days after the effective date of this section, the supervisor shall promulgate rules to implement this section. At a minimum, the rules shall address all of the following:

(a) The specific types of methane capture and control systems that may be used to comply with this section.

(b) A schedule for the operator of an oil or gas well for which a permit was issued before the date rules are promulgated under this section to comply with this section and the rules.

(c) Procedures and schedules for inspections by the supervisor to verify compliance with this section and the rules.

(d) Procedures for operators to report compliance with this section and the rules.

(e) Procedures for maintenance and performance testing of a methane control or capture system.

(f) Requirements regarding the prompt repair of a malfunctioning methane control or capture system.

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.