Bill Text: MI SB0823 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced
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) 2022-01-19 - Referred To Committee On Environmental Quality [SB0823 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-SB0823-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL NO. 823
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 (7). However, if a permit was issued for an oil or gas well under section 61525 before the date rules are promulgated under subsection (7), subsection (1) applies to that well according to the schedule described in subsection (7)(b).
(3) The operator of an oil or gas well shall not use flaring as a method to control methane emissions.
(4) Subject to subsection (6), if an operator violates subsection (1), both of the following apply:
(a) The operator shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of $100,000.00.
(b) If the operator fails to first comply with subsection (1) by 180 days after the date when subsection (1) first applies to the well, as provided by subsection (2), the supervisor shall revoke the operator's permit for the well.
(5) Subject to subsection (6), if an operator violates subsection (3), both of the following apply:
(a) The operator shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of $100,000.00.
(b) The supervisor shall revoke the operator's permit for the well.
(6) Subsections (4) and (5) do not apply if the methane control or capture system malfunctioned and the operator promptly repaired the system.
(7) 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 provide for 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 to comply with this section and the rules if a permit was issued for the well before the date the rules are promulgated.
(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 and schedules for maintenance and performance testing of a methane control or capture system required under subsection (1).
(f) Requirements for the prompt repair of a malfunctioning methane control or capture system required under subsection (1).
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.
