BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A set of revised administrative rules governing the oil and gas industry in North Dakota will go to lawmakers next month for final approval.
Members of the North Dakota Industrial Commission unanimously agreed to the set of proposed rules governing underground gather pipelines, requirements for dikes and berms as well as bonding for oil and saltwater-gathering pipelines. the Bismarck Tribune (https://bit.ly/2eZNIDZ ) reported.
Members of the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Committee will review the proposal on Dec. 5. If approved, they would go into effect Jan. 1.
Among the changes is a rule that operators will have 180 days after being notified by regulators to build 6-inch berms around storage facilities and production sites. The same timeframe would be enforced for saltwater handling facilities and possibly treating plants.
“We need to make sure they have adequate time. to build it properly,” Helms said. “It’s much more enforceable.”
According to Helms the 180 days was placed with the long Dakota winter in mind.
Bruce Hicks, assistant director of the Department of Mineral Resources, said sites that require berms are about 1,400 across the state.
“We believe that’s going to satisfy the Administrative Rules Committee,” Hicks said in regards to berm requirements.
In September, concerns over the NDIC’s authority to issue rules as well as a reason for clarity, lead to lawmakers delaying a handful of rules.
According to North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness, the new rules are a much better approach and clarified the uncertainties that exist.
___
Information from: Bismarck Tribune, https://www.bismarcktribune.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.