Bill Text: PA SB1045 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Mid-Atlantic Area Natural Gas Corridor Compact; providing for the form of the compact; imposing additional powers and duties on the Governor and the Secretary of the Commonwealth; and making an appropriation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-07-23 - Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY [SB1045 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SB1045-Introduced.html

  

 

    

PRINTER'S NO.  1337

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

SENATE BILL

 

No.

1045

Session of

2009

  

  

INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN, JULY 23, 2009

  

  

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JULY 23, 2009  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Mid-

2

Atlantic Area Natural Gas Corridor Compact; providing for the

3

form of the compact; imposing additional powers and duties on

4

the Governor and the Secretary of the Commonwealth; and

5

making an appropriation.

6

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

7

hereby enacts as follows:

8

Section 1.  Short title.

9

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Mid-Atlantic

10

Area Natural Gas Corridor Compact Act.

11

Section 2.  Execution of compact.

12

The Governor of Pennsylvania, on behalf of this Commonwealth,

13

is authorized to and shall execute the Mid-Atlantic Area Natural

14

Gas Corridor Compact, hereinafter referred to as the "compact,"

15

with two or more of the party states. The General Assembly

16

signifies in advance its approval and ratification of the

17

compact and the compact is hereby adopted and entered into with

18

all states joining therein. The compact shall be in

19

substantially the following form:

20

Mid-Atlantic Area Natural Gas Corridor Compact

 


1

Article I

2

Statement of Purpose 

3

Section 1.  Purpose of compact.

4

The purpose of this compact is to promote regional

5

cooperation in the location, approval and construction of cross-

6

borders natural gas pipelines in the Mid-Atlantic region of the

7

United States by the development of a regional pipeline siting

8

council to facilitate the siting of cross-borders natural gas

9

pipelines within the compact states and to perform the

10

interstate pipeline siting responsibilities of such states.

11

Article II

12

Definitions

13

Section 1.  Definitions.

14

For the purpose of this compact and of any supplemental or

15

concurring legislation enacted pursuant hereto, the following

16

words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this

17

section, except as may be otherwise required by the context:

18

"Affected Federal agency."  The United States Department of

19

Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the United

20

States Environmental Protection Agency and any other agency of

21

the United States Government affected by the Natural Gas Act of

22

1938.

23

"Associated facilities."  Facilities essential to the

24

transport of natural gas through interstate commerce, including,

25

but not limited to, pipelines, substations and terminals.

26

"Compact."  The Mid-Atlantic Area Natural Gas Corridor

27

Compact established pursuant to this act.

28

"Council."  The Mid-Atlantic Area States Council as

29

established in this compact.

30

"Cross-borders natural gas pipeline."  A proposed interstate

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1

natural gas pipeline and any associated facilities.

2

"Distribution corridor."  A geographic area proposed for the

3

location, construction and operation of one or more cross-

4

borders natural gas pipelines.

5

"DOE."  The United States Department of Energy.

6

"Eligible state."  Any state contiguous to a party state that

7

elects to become a signatory to this compact.

8

"FERC."  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

9

"Federal acts."  Any applicable requirement of:

10

(1)  The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (Public

11

Law 94-588, 16 U.S.C. § 472a et seq.).

12

(2)  The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Public Law

13

93-205, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.).

14

(3)  The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (62 Stat.

15

1155, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.).

16

(4)  The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

17

(Public Law 91-190, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.).

18

(5)  The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976

19

(Public Law 94-579, 43 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq.).

20

(6)  The Natural Gas Act (52 Stat. 821, 15 U.S.C. § 717

21

et seq.).

22

"Indian tribe."  Any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band,

23

nation, pueblo, village or community that the Secretary of the

24

United States Department of the Interior acknowledges to exist

25

as an Indian tribe.

26

"Interested party."  The term shall include the governmental

27

bodies of any political subdivision of a party state, state

28

agencies of a party state, Indian tribes domiciled within the

29

party states and persons residing or owning property in each

30

such party state through which a distribution corridor or

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1

natural gas pipeline is proposed.

2

"Natural gas."  Gas issuing from the earth's crust through

3

natural openings or bored wells and which is typically a

4

combustible mixture of methane and other hydrocarbons used

5

chiefly as a fuel and raw material. The term includes both

6

compressed and liquefied forms of natural gas.

7

"Natural gas pipeline."  A pipeline used for the

8

transportation, distribution, and/or sale of natural gas in

9

interstate commerce.

10

"Party state" or "compact state."  Any states situated within

11

the mid-Atlantic area national corridor that are signatories of

12

this compact and any eligible state.

13

"Political subdivision."  Any county, city, borough,

14

incorporated town, township or any equivalent unit of local

15

government of a party state.

16

"Secretary."  The Secretary of the United States Department

17

of Energy.

18

Article III

19

Mid-Atlantic Area States Council

20

and Compact Administrators

21

Section 3.1.  Establishment of council.

22

(1)  There is hereby established a council to be known as

23

the Mid-Atlantic Area States Council, which shall be a body

24

politic and corporate, with succession for the duration of

25

this compact, as an agency and instrumentality of the

26

governments of the party states that are signatories of this

27

compact.

28

(2)  The Council shall consist of persons holding

29

similarly situated positions in party states. If no such

30

persons in similarly situated positions exist in a party

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1

state, the Governor of that state, or Mayor as in the case of

2

the District of Columbia, shall appoint an individual with

3

expertise related to the field for which there is no

4

similarly situated person. Members of the council shall be:

5

(i)  The Secretary of Environmental Protection, or a

6

designee.

7

(ii)  The Secretary of Conservation and Natural

8

Resources, or a designee.

9

(iii)  The chairman of the utility commission or

10

public service commission, or a designee.

11

(iv)  One representative from county conservation

12

districts appointed by the State Conservation Commission.

13

(v)  Three representatives from local government,

14

whereby one shall be selected by the Pennsylvania State

15

Association of Boroughs, one shall be selected by the

16

Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors,

17

and one shall be selected by the County Commissioners

18

Association of Pennsylvania.

19

(vi)  One representative of the housing industry

20

chosen by the Pennsylvania Builders Association.

21

(vii)  One representative selected by The

22

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

23

(viii)  The Chairman of the Environmental Resources

24

and Energy Committee of the House of Representatives.

25

(ix)  The minority Chairman of the Environmental

26

Resources and Energy Committee of the House of

27

Representatives.

28

(x)  The Chairman of the Environmental Resources and

29

Energy Committee of the Senate.

30

(xi)  The minority Chairman of the Environmental

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1

Resources and Energy Committee of the Senate.

2

(3)  If no such persons in similarly situated positions

3

exist in a party state, the Governor of that state, or Mayor

4

as in the case of the District of Columbia, shall appoint two

5

individuals with expertise in energy policy as it relates to

6

protection of the environment, conservation and natural

7

resources and land use as that state's representatives on the

8

council, provided, however, that a person so appointed shall

9

not have any pecuniary interest in any corporation, natural

10

gas utility or other person operating or interested in

11

establishing a cross-borders natural gas pipeline in a party

12

state or in any affiliate, intermediary, subsidiary or

13

holding company of such corporation, natural gas utility or

14

other person.

15

(4)  The council shall elect annually from among its

16

members a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and a treasurer

17

whose offices shall rotate annually among the party states,

18

with such powers and duties as the council shall in its

19

bylaws prescribe. At no time shall any such office be held by

20

council members from the same party states.

21

(5)  A member of the council may designate a deputy or

22

assistant to act in the place of such member, with full

23

authority to attend meetings of the council and with power to

24

discharge the duties and functions of such member either for

25

the duration of membership of the appointing member or for

26

any lesser time, unless otherwise provided by law of the

27

party state of such member. A designee so appointed shall

28

serve only at the direction and during the term of the

29

appointing member and shall be subject to removal at the

30

pleasure of such appointing member.

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1

(6)  The council shall appoint an executive director who

2

shall serve at the pleasure of the council and who shall have

3

such powers and duties as the council shall in its bylaws

4

impose. The executive director shall serve as secretary of

5

the council and, together with the treasurer, shall be bonded

6

in such amounts as the council may in its bylaws require. The

7

executive director, on behalf of, as trustee for, and with

8

approval of the council as its bylaws shall require, may

9

borrow, accept or contract for the services of personnel from

10

any party state, any other state government or any political

11

subdivision or agency thereof, from any intergovernmental

12

agency, or from any institution, person, firm or corporation,

13

and may accept for any of the council's purposes and

14

functions under this compact any and all donations, gifts and

15

grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services

16

from any party state, any other government or political

17

subdivision or agency thereof, or intergovernmental agency,

18

or from any institution, person, firm or corporation, and may

19

receive and utilize the same.

20

(7)  The council may, without regard to the civil service

21

or other laws of any party state relative to public officers

22

and employees, create and abolish offices, employment and

23

positions as it deems necessary for the purposes of the

24

council, affix and provide for the duties, conditions for

25

employment, qualifications, appointment, removal, term,

26

compensation and other rights and benefits of the council's

27

officers and employees. The council shall appoint the

28

principal officers of the council and allocate among them

29

administrative functions, powers and duties necessary to

30

carry out its purposes under this compact.

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1

(8)  The council may maintain one or more offices for the

2

transaction of its business and shall meet as often as it

3

requires at such time and place as it shall determine. Each

4

council member shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in

5

accordance with the laws, regulations or policies of the

6

council member's party state.

7

(9)  The organizational meeting of the council shall be

8

held within six months of the effective date of this compact.

9

Section 3.2.  Council bylaws.

10

(1)  The council shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of

11

its business by a two-thirds vote and shall have the power by

12

the same vote to amend and rescind its bylaws. The council

13

shall publish its bylaws in convenient form with the

14

Secretary of the Commonwealth or, in the case of other party

15

states, with the appropriate agency or officer of each

16

participating party state. The bylaws shall, among other

17

things, provide for the powers and duties of the executive

18

director of the council and for adequate notice to the

19

council members and the general public of all meetings and

20

hearings, and of the business to be transacted at such

21

meetings and hearings of the council. Adequate notice of all

22

meetings and hearings of the council shall be provided to the

23

public and to other agencies and officers of party states in

24

accordance with the laws and regulations of such states or in

25

accordance with the requirements of this compact.

26

(2)  The council shall have a seal.

27

Section 3.3.  Voting.

28

(1)  Each party state shall be entitled to one vote in

29

the conduct of the business of the council.

30

(2)  All actions taken by the council, except for actions

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1

to designate a distribution corridor and approve the location

2

construction of a cross-borders natural gas pipeline proposed

3

to be sited in party states, shall be by majority vote of the

4

members present.

5

(3)  Any actions of the council to designate a

6

distribution corridor or approve the location and

7

construction of a cross-borders natural gas pipeline proposed

8

to be sited in party states shall require an affirmative vote

9

by two-thirds of all members of the council in whose states

10

the distribution corridor is proposed to be designated or a

11

cross-borders natural gas pipeline is proposed to be located

12

and constructed.

13

(4)  Except as provided in paragraph (3), no action of

14

the council shall be binding unless taken at a meeting at

15

which a majority of all party states are represented and

16

unless a majority of the total number of votes are cast in

17

favor thereof.

18

(5)  In addition to the powers and duties elsewhere

19

prescribed in this compact, the council shall have the power

20

to make and enforce rules and regulations as it deems

21

necessary to implement the provisions of this compact or to

22

effectuate in any other respect the purposes of this compact. 

23

Section 3.4.  Compact administrators.

24

(1)  The chairman of each party state's public utility

25

commission or public service commission, as the case may be,

26

or the person holding an equivalent position who is

27

responsible for regulating natural gas utilities in each such

28

party state shall act as compact administrator for that

29

state. The compact administrator shall consult with like

30

officials of the party states, and shall foster cooperation

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1

between such states in the designation of distribution

2

corridors and the location and construction of any cross-

3

borders natural gas pipelines.

4

(2)  The compact administrators and other members of the

5

council shall organize to negotiate and establish a regional

6

process to be adopted by the party states for the designation

7

a distribution corridor or approval, location and

8

construction of cross-borders natural gas pipeline in

9

accordance with the requirements of this compact.

10

(3)  In negotiating the terms of the compact, the compact

11

administrators shall assure that the compact incorporates

12

procedures to ensure appropriate adjudicative proceedings,

13

mitigate environmental impacts and ensure that the compact is

14

in the public interest of the party states.

15

Article IV

16

Powers and Duties of Council

17

Section 4.1.  Powers and duties.

18

(1)  The council shall, after notice and public hearings,

19

develop, negotiate and promulgate rules and regulations

20

establishing a regional process to govern the designation of

21

a distribution corridor and approval, location and

22

construction of cross-borders natural gas pipelines.

23

(2)  To carry out its powers and duties under this

24

compact, it shall be the further duty of the council to:

25

(i)  Conduct and prepare, independently or in

26

cooperation with academia, energy economists and other

27

energy experts and analysts or other persons as

28

determined by the council, studies, investigations,

29

research and programs relating to all aspects of the site

30

selection of cross-borders natural gas pipelines.

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1

(ii)  Adopt standards, rules and regulations to

2

perform its functions and enforce the terms of this

3

compact, including standards, rules and regulations to

4

govern the location and construction of cross-borders

5

natural gas pipelines.

6

(iii)  Exercise any authority consistent with this

7

compact authorized by Congress under Federal law.

8

(iv)  Advise, consult and encourage voluntary

9

cooperation from other agencies of the party states and

10

political subdivisions thereof, industries, other states,

11

the Federal Government, interested parties and other

12

persons in furtherance of its duties under this compact.

13

(v)  Submit to the Governor of each party state an

14

annual report covering the activities of the council for

15

the preceding calendar year. The report shall be

16

submitted on or before December 31 of each year, shall

17

include such standards, rules, regulations and bylaws as

18

may have been adopted by the council, and shall be

19

transmitted to the Senate and the House of

20

Representatives or State Assembly, as the case may be, of

21

each party state. The council may issue such additional

22

reports as it may deem necessary.

23

(vi)  Conduct informational meetings and public

24

hearings to disseminate information, receive comment or

25

take testimony with respect to the designation of a

26

distribution corridor or the location and construction of

27

cross-borders natural gas pipelines.

28

(vii)  Consider and present recommendations, policies

29

and programs designed to facilitate the location and

30

construction of cross-borders natural gas pipelines.

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1

(viii)  Recommend such changes in, or amendments or

2

additions to, the laws, rules, regulations, policies or

3

guidelines of the party states that, in the judgment of

4

the council, may be appropriate.

5

(ix)  Work with the DOE and FERC or any successor

6

agency thereto, any other officer or agency of the United

7

States and the party states and any other governmental

8

unit or agency or officer thereof, and with any other

9

persons, entities or agencies, including energy or power

10

authorities, in matters related to the approval, location

11

and construction of cross-borders natural gas pipelines.

12

(x)  Advise and assist the Governor and the

13

legislature of each party state with the development and

14

implementation of policies and procedures relating to the

15

designation of distribution corridors and the location

16

and construction of cross-borders natural gas pipelines.

17

(xi)  Require and receive from any agency of a party

18

state, or any political subdivision thereof, assistance

19

and data.

20

(xii)  Compile, publish and distribute, with or

21

without fee, any reports, bulletins, newsletters or other

22

documents as it may deem appropriate.

23

(xiii)  Work with stakeholders, affected Federal,

24

state and local agencies, power or energy authorities and

25

the public to study alternatives to cross-borders natural

26

gas pipelines and distribution corridors.

27

(xiv)  Designate a cross-borders natural gas

28

distribution corridor or corridors on its own motion or

29

by application of a person proposing to construct a

30

cross-borders natural gas pipeline. The council's

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1

designation of a distribution corridor shall serve to

2

identify a feasible corridor where one or more future

3

cross-borders natural gas pipelines may be located and

4

constructed that are consistent with the needs of this

5

Commonwealth and the party states.

6

(xv)  Develop and adopt, in consultation with

7

appropriate agencies of the party states, energy or power

8

authorities, natural gas distribution companies, and

9

consumers a strategic plan for the Mid-Atlantic region's

10

natural gas needs. The strategic plan shall identify and

11

recommend activities needed to ensure reliability, future

12

growth, new natural gas wells, renewable resources, and

13

energy efficiency. In developing the strategic plan, the

14

council shall confer with state agencies and political

15

subdivisions in the party states and Federal agencies to

16

identify appropriate areas within their jurisdictions

17

that may be suitable for a distribution corridor or

18

natural gas pipeline.

19

(xvi)  Coordinate, to the extent feasible, efforts to

20

identify long-term natural gas needs of the party states

21

with the land use plans of the party states, political

22

subdivisions thereof and Federal agencies.

23

(xvii)  Accept, review and approve or disapprove

24

applications from persons proposing to locate and

25

construct a cross-borders natural gas pipeline. The

26

application shall be in the form required by the council

27

and shall be accompanied by any supportive data and other

28

information, including, but not limited to, the

29

following:

30

(A)  The name of the applicant, address of its

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1

principal place of business and state or states in

2

which it is incorporated to do business.

3

(B)  A statement of need and general description

4

of the proposed route. The general description shall

5

not be a legal or metes and bounds description but

6

shall include the proposed route of the cross-borders

7

natural gas pipeline, including the number of route

8

miles, the right-of-way width and the location of

9

such facility within each political subdivision

10

traversed.

11

(C)  Supporting exhibits, such as maps, including

12

topographic maps; a system map depicting in

13

sufficient detail the location and volume of existing

14

pipelines of the applicant and the location and

15

volume of the proposed natural gas pipelines, aerial

16

photographs and other engineering materials as the

17

council shall by regulation prescribe.

18

(D)  The names and addresses of known persons,

19

Indian tribes, corporations, small businesses and

20

other entities of record owning property within the

21

proposed right-of-way, together with an indication of

22

the rights-of-way acquired or the rights-of-way

23

needed to be acquired by the applicant.

24

(E)  A statement of the safety considerations,

25

including public health and safety, that will be

26

incorporated into the design, construction and

27

maintenance of the proposed natural gas pipeline and

28

require this statement to be submitted to all county

29

and local government units where the proposed natural

30

gas pipeline will be located.

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1

(F)  A description of any studies, including any

2

third-party studies, that have been made or will be

3

made concerning the projected environmental impact of

4

the proposed cross-borders natural gas pipeline and

5

of the efforts that have been or will be made to

6

minimize the impact of the proposed natural gas

7

pipeline on the environment, scenic rivers and

8

waterways, including, but not limited to, impacts,

9

where applicable, on land use, soil and

10

sedimentation, plant and wildlife habitats, terrain,

11

hydrology and landscape.

12

(G)  A description of the efforts of the

13

applicant to locate and identify archaeological,

14

geologic, historic, scenic and wilderness areas of

15

significance within two miles of the proposed right-

16

of-way and the location and identity of areas

17

discovered by the applicant, and of the efforts that

18

have been or will be made to minimize the impact of

19

the proposed natural gas pipeline on such areas.

20

(H)  A description of the efforts of the

21

applicant to locate and identify preserved land,

22

farmland, land subject to agricultural conservation

23

easements and other conservation easements, and of

24

the efforts that have been or will be made to

25

minimize the impact of the proposed natural gas

26

pipeline on such areas.

27

(I)  A description of rights-of-way obtained or

28

to be obtained and efforts made to minimize the size

29

of any rights-of-way.

30

(J)  A description of any developed areas within

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1

two miles of the proposed natural gas pipeline, the

2

impacts of the proposed natural gas pipeline on these

3

areas, the efforts made to avoid such areas, and the

4

efforts that have been or will be made to minimize

5

the impact of the proposed natural gas pipeline on

6

such areas.

7

(K)  A general description of reasonable

8

alternative routes, including a description of the

9

distribution corridor planning, methodology, a

10

comparison of the merits and detriments of each

11

route, and a statement of the reasons for selecting

12

the proposed route.

13

(L)  A list of local, state and Federal agencies

14

that have requirements which must be satisfied in

15

connection with the construction, maintenance and

16

operation of the proposed cross-borders natural gas

17

pipeline, and a list of all required documents which

18

have been or will be filed with a local, state or

19

Federal agency in connection with the location,

20

construction and operation of the proposed cross-

21

borders natural gas pipeline.

22

(M)  The estimated cost of construction of the

23

proposed cross-borders natural gas pipeline and the

24

projected date of completion.

25

(xviii)  Upon receipt of an application or upon its

26

own motion for the designation of a distribution corridor

27

or upon receipt of an application for the location and

28

construction of a cross-borders natural gas pipeline,

29

arrange for the publication of a summary of the

30

application in two newspapers of general circulation in

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1

each county where the proposed distribution corridor or

2

cross-borders natural gas pipeline is proposed to be

3

located and constructed and notify all property owners

4

within, or adjacent to, the proposed distribution

5

corridor or cross-borders natural gas pipeline. The

6

council shall transmit a copy of the application for

7

designation of a distribution corridor or for the

8

location and construction of a cross-borders natural gas

9

pipeline to all political subdivisions, and state and

10

Federal agencies having an interest in the proposed

11

distribution corridor or cross-borders natural gas

12

pipeline.

13

(xix)  Publish applications for designation of a

14

distribution corridor or location and construction of a

15

cross-borders natural gas pipeline on its Internet

16

website, and provide for public notification of the

17

availability of the application on the council's Internet

18

website through appropriate media outlets.

19

(xx)  Notify appropriate agencies of party states,

20

and political subdivisions thereof, Federal agencies and

21

Indian tribes in whose jurisdiction the proposed

22

distribution corridor or cross-borders natural gas

23

pipeline will be located regarding the application to

24

designate a distribution corridor or locate and construct

25

a cross-borders natural gas pipeline. Such notice shall

26

solicit information from, and the council shall confer

27

with, all affected political subdivisions of party

28

states, Indian tribes and affected state and Federal

29

agencies regarding their land use plans, existing land

30

uses and other factors in which they have expertise or

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1

interest with respect to the proposed distribution

2

corridor or proposed cross-borders natural gas pipeline.

3

The council shall provide any affected political

4

subdivision, state or Federal agency, Indian tribe and

5

any property owner within or adjacent to the proposed

6

distribution corridor or cross-borders natural gas

7

pipeline and other interested parties ample opportunity

8

to participate in the council's review of a proposed

9

distribution corridor or cross-borders natural gas

10

pipeline.

11

(xxi)  Permit agencies of party states and affected

12

political subdivisions thereof, Federal agencies, energy

13

authorities, Indian tribes and members of the public,

14

including any property owner within or adjacent to the

15

proposed distribution corridor or proposed natural gas

16

pipeline, to provide comment on the need and suitability

17

of the proposed distribution corridor or proposed cross-

18

borders natural gas pipeline with respect to

19

environmental, public health and safety, land use,

20

economic impact or other factors on which they may have

21

expertise or desire to comment.

22

(xxii)  Require applicants to submit a statement of

23

the safety considerations, including public health and

24

safety and necessary safety devices and procedures that

25

will be incorporated into the design, construction and

26

maintenance of the proposed natural gas pipeline to all

27

county and local government units where the proposed

28

natural gas pipeline will be located.

29

(xxiii)  Adopt standards for the construction and

30

operation of cross-borders natural gas pipelines.

- 18 -

 


1

(xxiv)  Prescribe the form and content of

2

applications for the designation of distribution

3

corridors and the location and construction of natural

4

gas pipelines; conduct public hearings and take other

5

actions to secure adequate evaluation of applications;

6

and formally act to approve, disapprove or modify

7

applications, including specifying conditions under which

8

approval of a distribution corridor or cross-borders

9

natural gas pipeline will be permitted.

10

(xxv)  Issue permits for the location and

11

construction of cross-borders natural gas pipelines.

12

(xxvi)  Present state concerns and interests to party

13

states, other states, energy authorities, and the Federal

14

Government on any proposed distribution corridor or the

15

location and construction of any natural gas pipeline

16

which may affect the environment, health or safety of the

17

citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other

18

party states.

19

(xxvii)  Establish, maintain and manage a data

20

collection system for obtaining and storing information

21

necessary to perform its functions under this compact.

22

(xxviii)  Adopt rules and regulations, or take any

23

action, it deems reasonable and necessary to:

24

(A)  ensure the free and open participation of

25

the public and interested parties; and

26

(B)  protect the confidentiality of information

27

it may receive in performing its function under this

28

compact.

29

Section 4.2.  Advisory Committees.

30

The council may establish such advisory, technical or

- 19 -

 


1

regional committees as it may deem necessary to carry out its

2

duties under this compact. The membership of such advisory

3

committees shall include, but not be limited to, private

4

citizens; representatives of Indian tribes; expert and lay

5

personnel; representatives of industry, labor, commerce,

6

agriculture, civic organizations, environmental organizations,

7

health professions, voluntary health agencies and academia; and

8

officials of local, state and Federal government. The council

9

may cooperate with and use the assistance and services of any

10

such committees and the organizations they represent in

11

furthering any of its activities or carrying out its functions

12

and duties under this compact.

13

Section 4.3.  Rules and regulations.

14

(1)  The council shall, after public notice and public

15

hearing, promulgate, adopt and enforce such rules and

16

regulations as may be necessary and appropriate for the

17

implementation and enforcement of this compact. Such rules

18

and regulations shall, among other things, provide for the

19

following:

20

(i)  Cooperation and consultation between the party

21

states and affected Federal agencies of the United States

22

Government.

23

(ii)  Processes and procedures for developing a

24

comprehensive inventory of all existing and planned

25

natural gas pipelines in each party state, including all

26

natural gas pipelines under construction. Notwithstanding

27

any other provision of law or regulation, all providers

28

of natural gas distribution services, all power or energy

29

authorities or successors to such providers in each party

30

state shall cooperate with the council in developing the

- 20 -

 


1

inventory of existing and natural gas pipelines.

2

(iii)  Processes and procedures to receive assistance

3

and data from any agency of a party state or political

4

subdivisions thereof.

5

(iv)  Adoption of an annual budget.

6

(v)  Standards for the review and approval of

7

applications to locate and construct natural gas

8

pipelines. Such standards shall address, but need not be

9

limited to, the following:

10

(A)  The financial ability and qualifications of

11

the applicant.

12

(B)  The organizational, managerial and technical

13

expertise of the applicant to construct and operate

14

the proposed cross-borders natural gas pipeline.

15

(C)  The need for the proposed distribution

16

corridor or proposed cross-borders natural gas

17

pipeline.

18

(D)  Protection of public health and safety,

19

including necessary safety devices and procedures.

20

(E)  Areas designated for protection or

21

conservation by a party state, an agency of the

22

Federal Government, county, or local government unit,

23

including, but not limited to, agricultural land,

24

monuments, historic sites, wilderness areas, scenic

25

rivers and waterways, wildlife refuges and similar

26

areas.

27

(F)  Impact of the proposed cross-borders natural

28

gas pipeline on the environment.

29

(G)  Effect of the proposed cross-borders natural

30

gas pipeline, taking into account mitigation on fish

- 21 -

 


1

and wildlife, including threatened and endangered

2

fish, wildlife or plant species.

3

(H)  Soil protection.

4

(I)  Impact of the proposed cross-borders natural

5

gas pipeline on historic, cultural or archaeological

6

resources listed on or determined pursuant to

7

historic preservation or land conservation laws of

8

the party states, the Federal Government, County, or

9

local government unit to be eligible for listing on

10

the National Register of Historic Places or any

11

similar laws of the party states concerned with the

12

protection, preservation and conservation of historic

13

places in such party states.

14

(J)  Potential impact of the proposed cross-

15

borders natural gas pipeline on recreation, scenic

16

and aesthetic values.

17

(K)  Rights-of-way obtained or to be obtained and

18

efforts made to minimize the size of any rights-of-

19

way with the intent of restricting rights-of-ways to

20

a minimum necessary size.

21

(L)  Impact on developed areas within two miles

22

of the proposed natural gas pipeline, the efforts

23

made to avoid such areas, and of the efforts that

24

have been or will be made to minimize the impact of

25

the proposed natural gas pipeline on such areas with

26

the intent of avoiding siting natural gas pipelines

27

in or directly adjacent to populated areas.

28

(M)  Any other conditions, requirements or

29

standards the council may prescribe by rule or

30

regulation.

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1

(vi)  The form and content of applications for

2

designation of a distribution corridor or construction of

3

a cross-borders natural gas pipeline.

4

(vii)  Confidentiality of data and information

5

received by the council and maintained in its data

6

collection system, including security measures to ensure

7

that data or information it has designated as

8

confidential or received with a confidential designation

9

from a governmental agency, energy authority or other

10

person is protected against disclosure. The council may,

11

by regulation, designate certain categories of data and

12

information as confidential. Any confidential information

13

pertinent to the functions of the council under this

14

compact that is obtained by another state agency or

15

person shall be available to the council and shall be

16

treated as confidential. Confidential information shall

17

be aggregated or masked to the extent necessary to assure

18

confidentiality if public disclosure of the specific

19

information would result in unfair competitive

20

disadvantage to the person supplying the information.

21

(viii)  Procedures to govern cost-sharing between the

22

party states.

23

Section 4.4.  Duties of party states.

24

It shall be the duty of the Public Utility Commission or

25

similar situated agency of each party state to establish a

26

natural gas pipeline siting council and take such measures as

27

shall be necessary and appropriate to promulgate and adopt the

28

regional process for the location and construction of natural

29

gas pipelines established by this compact. Each party state's

30

natural gas pipeline siting council is hereby designated as the

- 23 -

 


1

state authority for the purpose of siting natural gas pipelines

2

under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, and shall work with the

3

council to carry out the intent and purpose of this compact.

4

Each such council's authority regarding natural gas pipelines

5

shall be limited to those natural gas pipelines that are subject

6

to the Natural Gas Act of 1938 and this compact.

7

Article V

8

Public Hearing, Meetings, and Records of Council

9

Section 5.1.  Informational meetings.

10

(1)  The council may conduct informational meetings in

11

the counties where the distribution corridor is proposed to

12

be designated or where a natural gas pipeline is proposed to

13

be located and constructed. Such informational meetings shall

14

be convened as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days

15

after a vote of the council to designate a distribution

16

corridor and not later than 60 days after receipt of an

17

application for the designation of a distribution corridor or

18

the location and construction of a cross-borders natural gas

19

pipeline. The purpose of the informational hearings shall be

20

to:

21

(i)  Provide information about the proposed

22

distribution corridor or natural gas pipeline to ensure

23

that the public and interested parties have a clear

24

understanding of the proposal.

25

(ii)  Receive initial comments about the proposed

26

distribution corridor or natural gas pipeline.

27

(iii)  Explain the relationship of the proposed

28

distribution corridor or natural gas pipeline to any

29

strategic plan regarding natural gas for the Mid-Atlantic

30

area.

- 24 -

 


1

(iv)  Solicit suggestions and information on

2

reasonable alternatives to the proposed transmission

3

corridor or natural gas pipeline.

4

(2)  Informational meetings shall be convened in each

5

party state, and the place or places of such meetings shall

6

be as close as possible to the proposed route of the

7

distribution corridor or natural gas pipeline.

8

Section 5.2.  Public hearings.

9

(1)  Subsequent to the informational meetings, the

10

council shall convene public hearings to determine whether

11

the proposed location of the distribution corridor or natural

12

gas pipeline is consistent and in compliance with land use

13

plans and zoning ordinances of affected political

14

subdivisions and regional planning authorities. If it is

15

determined that the proposed location conforms with existing

16

land use plans or zoning ordinances in effect as of the date

17

of the application, the affected political subdivision or

18

regional planning authority shall not thereafter change or

19

modify such land use plans or zoning ordinances so as to

20

affect the proposed location.

21

(2)  Additional public hearings shall be held as deemed

22

necessary and appropriate by the council in the exercise of

23

its functions under this compact, and to ensure participation

24

by landowners and other individuals who may be impacted by

25

the location and construction of a natural gas pipeline.

26

Section 5.3.  Public participation.

27

(1)  All meetings and public hearings convened by the

28

council shall be open to the public, except with respect to

29

meetings concerned with personnel issues, with at least 30

30

days' advance notice. The chairman may convene an emergency

- 25 -

 


1

meeting with less advance notice.

2

(2)  The council shall ensure public accessibility to all

3

documents, exhibits or other materials related to the

4

designation of a distribution corridor or the location and

5

construction of a natural gas pipeline.

6

(3)  All meetings of the council shall be conducted in a

7

manner that substantially conforms to the Administrative

8

Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. Ch.5, Subch.II, and Ch.7).

9

(4)  The council may, by two-thirds vote of the members

10

present, hold an executive session closed to the public for

11

the purpose of discussing legally privileged or proprietary

12

information; to consider dismissal, disciplining of or

13

hearing complaints or charges brought against an employee or

14

other public official unless such person requests a public

15

hearing; or to consult with its attorney regarding

16

information or strategy in connection with specific

17

litigation. The reason requiring an executive session shall

18

be announced at least 14 days prior to the executive session,

19

except that the chairman may convene an emergency executive

20

session with less advance notice, provided that the reason

21

for the emergency executive session is announced at the

22

public meeting immediately subsequent to the executive

23

session. All actions of the council taken in violation of the

24

requirements of this section shall be null and void.

25

Section 5.4.  Tribal participation.

26

(1)  In addition to all other opportunities to comment

27

and participate in proceedings of the council under this

28

compact, the council shall consult with and ensure

29

participation by federally recognized Indian tribes in its

30

proceedings.

- 26 -

 


1

(2)  All federally recognized Indian tribes within a

2

party state shall receive reasonable notice informing the

3

tribe that they may participate in the proceeding before the

4

council. The notice and subsequent notices shall inform the

5

tribe of any informational or public hearing to be convened

6

by the council and of the tribe's right to submit written

7

comments or otherwise participate in such meetings and

8

hearings. The council shall consider the comments submitted

9

by an Indian tribe before approving, approving with

10

modification or disapproving any proposal subject to review,

11

approval or disapproval by the council.

12

(3)  The council shall consult with federally recognized

13

Indian tribes for the establishment of a mutually agreed upon

14

mechanism or process for the purpose of facilitating dialogue

15

with and participation by such tribes in its proceedings. The

16

council may include tribal participation on advisory

17

committees authorized under this compact or such other

18

mutually agreed to processes.

19

Section 5.5.  Minutes.

20

Detailed written minutes shall be kept of all meetings and

21

hearings of the council. All decisions, files, records and data

22

of the council, except for information privileged against

23

introduction in judicial proceedings, including proprietary

24

information, personnel records and minutes of a properly

25

convened executive session, shall be open to public inspection

26

subject to a procedure that substantially conforms to the

27

Freedom of Information Act (Public Law 89-554, 5 U.S.C. § 552)

28

and applicable Pennsylvania law or laws of other party states,

29

and may be copied upon request and payment of a fee as

30

established by regulation of the council and which shall be no

- 27 -

 


1

higher than necessary to recover copying costs.

2

Article VI

3

Finances

4

Section 6.1.  Annual budget.

5

(1)  The council shall annually adopt and submit a budget

6

of its estimated expenditures for administration and

7

operation to the principal budget officer of each party state

8

at such time and in such manner as may be required by the

9

laws of the party states for presentation to the legislatures

10

thereof. Each such budget shall contain specific

11

recommendations of the amount or amounts to be appropriated

12

by each party state. The council shall not pledge the credit

13

of any party state. The council may meet any of its

14

obligations in whole or in part with funds available to it

15

under Article III of this compact, provided that the council

16

take specific action to set aside such funds prior to the

17

incurring of any obligations to be met in whole or in part by

18

the use of such funds. Except where the council makes use of

19

funds available to it under Article III hereof, the council

20

shall not incur any obligations prior to the allocation of

21

funds by the party states sufficient to meet such

22

obligations.

23

(2)  In calculating its annual budget, the council shall

24

balance total expenses against the council's estimate of

25

revenues from all sources, either previously appropriated by

26

a party state or receivable from any person, political

27

subdivision or governmental agency.

28

(3)  The chairman of the council shall certify to the

29

respective party states and may, if applicable, submit to

30

persons in other governmental agencies statements of the

- 28 -

 


1

amounts requested from them in accordance with any existing

2

cost-sharing agreement established by the party states

3

pursuant to this compact.

4

Section 6.2.  Apportionment of cost.

5

The amount required for the council's current budget shall be

6

apportioned equally among the party states unless a different

7

apportionment is agreed to by unanimous vote of the council.

8

Section 6.3.  Accounts of council.

9

(1)  The council shall keep accurate accounts of all

10

receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of

11

the council shall be subject to the audit and accounting

12

procedures established by the council under its bylaws,

13

except that all receipts and disbursements of funds handled

14

by the council shall be audited annually by a qualified

15

public accountant and the report of the audit shall be

16

included in and become a part of the annual report of the

17

council.

18

(2)  The accounts of the council shall be open at any

19

reasonable time for inspection by such agency, representative

20

or representatives of the party states as may be duly

21

constituted for that purpose and by others who may be

22

authorized by the council.

23

Article VII

24

Enforcement

25

Section 7.1.  Power to enforce.

26

(1)  The council shall have the power to implement and

27

enforce the provisions of this compact.

28

(2)  Any person aggrieved by an action or decision of the

29

council shall:

30

(i)  Be entitled to an administrative hearing before

- 29 -

 


1

the council.

2

(ii)  Have the right to judicial review of a council

3

decision or action in the United States District Court

4

for the District of Columbia or in such district court

5

that has jurisdiction in the state or states where the

6

council maintain offices, provided that a petition for

7

judicial review is filed within 90 days after all

8

administrative remedies have been exhausted.

9

Section 7.2.  Actions to compel compliance.

10

The council may by majority vote initiate actions to compel

11

compliance with this compact and the rules and regulations

12

adopted and promulgated pursuant to this compact. The United

13

States District Court for the District of Columbia or the United

14

States District Court that has jurisdiction in the state or

15

states where the council maintains offices shall have

16

jurisdiction over any actions filed by the council.

17

Section 7.3.  Liability.

18

Liabilities of the council shall not be deemed liabilities of

19

the party states. Members of the council shall not be personally

20

liable for actions taken in their official capacity.

21

Article VIII

22

Eligibility, Entry into Effect, Amendments

23

and Withdrawal

24

Section 8.1.  Eligibility.

25

Any or all of the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey,

26

New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the

27

District of Columbia shall be eligible to become a party state,

28

and any state contiguous to a party state if affirmed by

29

unanimous vote of the council shall be eligible to become a

30

party to this compact.

- 30 -

 


1

Section 8.2.  Entry into effect.

2

This compact shall become operative and effective between the

3

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and such other party states when

4

the following occur:

5

(i)  The Governor executes the Mid-Atlantic Area

6

Natural Gas Compact on behalf of the Commonwealth of

7

Pennsylvania and files a verified copy of this compact

8

with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

9

(ii)  The compact is ratified through the enactment

10

of concurring legislation by two or more of the party

11

states.

12

(iii)  The Congress of the United States confers its

13

consent or approval to this compact.

14

Section 8.3.  Filing.

15

This compact shall be signed and sealed in as many original

16

copies as necessary by the respective Governors of the party

17

states. One such copy shall be filed with the Secretary of State

18

of each party state in accordance with the laws or regulations

19

of each such state in which the filing is effectuated, and one

20

copy shall be filed and retained in the archives of the council

21

upon its organization. The signatures shall be affixed and

22

attested in a form similar to the following:

23

In witness whereof, and in evidence of the adoption and

24

enactment into law of this compact by the legislatures of the

25

party states and consent by the Congress of the United States,

26

the respective Governors do hereby, in accordance with the

27

authority conferred by law, sign this compact in six duplicate

28

original copies, attested by the respective Secretaries of State

29

of each party state, and have caused the seals of the respective

30

party states to be hereunto affixed this day of (month), (year).

- 31 -

 


1

Section 8.4.  Amendments to compact.

2

This compact shall not be amended or modified except with the

3

concurrence of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of

4

Pennsylvania and the legislatures of the party states.

5

Amendments shall not become effective until adopted in the same

6

manner as the original compact.

7

Section 8.5.  Withdrawal.

8

Any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a

9

statute repealing the same, but no such withdrawal shall become

10

effective until one year after the Governor of the withdrawing

11

party state forwards formal notice in writing to the Governor of

12

each other party state informing said Governors of the action of

13

the legislature in repealing the compact and declaring the

14

intention to withdraw, provided, however, that the withdrawal of

15

a party state shall not affect any liability already incurred by

16

or chargeable to a party state prior to the time of such

17

withdrawal.

18

Article XI

19

Severability and Construction

20

Section 9.1.  Construction.

21

(1)  Nothing in this compact shall be construed to:

22

(i)  Limit, repeal or supersede any law, rule or

23

regulation of any party state.

24

(ii)  Displace existing laws or regulations of the

25

party states that govern the location and construction of

26

intrastate natural gas pipelines proposed to be located

27

and constructed within the geographic borders of any such

28

states.

29

(iii)  Permit or require any person or other entity

30

to avoid or refuse to comply with any law, rule,

- 32 -

 


1

regulation, order or ordinance of a party state, or

2

political subdivision thereof, now or hereafter made,

3

enacted or in force.

4

(iv)  Limit, diminish or otherwise impair

5

jurisdiction exercised by the DOE or any successor

6

agency, or any other Federal department, agency or

7

officer pursuant to and in conformity with any valid and

8

operative act of Congress.

9

(v)  Alter the relations between and respective

10

internal responsibilities of the government of a party

11

state and its political subdivisions.

12

(vi)  Abrogate or derogate the rights held by any

13

federally recognized Indian tribe.

14

(2)  This compact shall be construed liberally in order

15

to achieve the purposes and intent enunciated herein. It is

16

the intent of this compact to establish a basic structure by

17

which the council may achieve such purposes through the

18

development and adoption of uniform policies, rules and

19

regulations and strategic plans to facilitate the designation

20

of distribution corridors and the location and construction

21

of cross-border natural gas pipelines.

22

Section 9.2.  Severability.

23

The provisions of this compact are severable. If any

24

provision of this compact or its application to any person or

25

circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect

26

other provisions or applications of this compact which can be

27

given effect without the invalid provision or applications.

28

Section 3.  Policy of Commonwealth and legal effect.

29

The policy of the Commonwealth and the effect on laws and

30

regulations generally are as follows:

- 33 -

 


1

(1)  It is hereby declared to be the policy of the

2

Commonwealth to perform and carry out the compact and to

3

accomplish the purposes thereof. All officers and agencies of

4

this Commonwealth are authorized and directed to do all

5

things falling within their respective jurisdictions

6

necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the compact in

7

every particular. All officers, employees, departments,

8

bureaus, boards, commissions, authorities and other such

9

agencies of the Commonwealth are authorized and directed at

10

reasonable times and upon request of the council to furnish

11

the council with information and data possessed by them or

12

any of them and to aid the council by loan of personnel or

13

other means lying within their legal powers respectively.

14

(2)  If any provision of the compact conflicts with any

15

other provision, limitation or restriction which is now in

16

effect under any other law of this Commonwealth or any rule,

17

regulation, order or policy promulgated thereunder, this act

18

shall govern and control any such other law or rule,

19

regulation, order or policy promulgated thereunder shall be

20

deemed superseded for the purposes of this act.

21

Section 4.  Submission of council budgets.

22

The budget of the estimated expenditures of the council shall

23

be submitted to the Governor for such period and in such form as

24

shall be requested by the Governor.

25

Section 5.  Appropriation.

26

The sum of $2,000,000, or as much thereof as may be

27

necessary, is hereby appropriated to the council as the

28

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's pro rata share of the expenses of

29

the council for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, to June

30

30, 2010, provided, however, that no such appropriation shall be

- 34 -

 


1

allocated until the compact becomes operative and effective in

2

accordance with section 8.2(1) of the compact.

3

Section 6.  Expiration.

4

(a)  Publication of failure to consent.--If the Congress of

5

the United States fails to confer its consent to and approval of

6

the compact by June 30, 2010, the Secretary of the Commonwealth

7

shall publish a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin within 30

8

days of June 30, 2010, declaring such failure of the Congress to

9

consent to the compact.

10

(b)  Effect of publication.--This act shall expire

11

immediately upon publication of the notice under subsection (a).

12

(c)  Effect of repeal.--If the President of the United States

13

signs a subsequent act of the Congress of the United States

14

providing for the repeal of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, this

15

act shall expire immediately upon the effective date of the

16

repeal.

17

(d)  Dissolution.--In the event that this act is terminated

18

by the operation of subsection (b) or (c), the council shall be

19

dissolved, its assets and liabilities transferred and its

20

affairs suspended in accordance with the unanimous agreement of

21

the party states or, failing unanimous agreement, in such manner

22

that the assets and liabilities of the council shall be shared

23

by the respective party states.

24

Section 7.  Administrative duties.

25

(a)  Governor.--The Governor is hereby authorized and

26

directed to take such action as may be necessary to complete the

27

exchange of official documents between the Commonwealth of

28

Pennsylvania and any other state ratifying the compact.

29

(b)  Secretary of the Commonwealth.--The Secretary of the

30

Commonwealth shall publish a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin

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1

when the conditions set forth in subsection (a) of this section

2

are satisfied. The notice shall include the date on which the

3

Mid-Atlantic Area Natural Gas Compact became effective and

4

operative between this Commonwealth and any other state in

5

accordance with this act.

6

Section 8.  Effective date.

7

This act shall take effect immediately.

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