SENATE BILL REPORT

E2SHB 1186

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of March 16, 2011

Title: An act relating to requirements under the state's oil spill program.

Brief Description: Concerning requirements under the state's oil spill program.

Sponsors: House Committee on General Government Appropriations & Oversight (originally sponsored by Representatives Rolfes, Hudgins, Upthegrove, Appleton, Roberts, Pedersen, Carlyle, Goodman, Liias, Van De Wege, Dickerson, Cody, Fitzgibbon, Dunshee, McCoy, Finn, Jacks, Reykdal, Tharinger, Frockt, Billig, Hunt, Kenney, Stanford, Ryu and Seaquist).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/11, 62-35.

Committee Activity: Natural Resources & Marine Waters: 3/16/11.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Second Substitute Bill

  • Adds additional requirements for tank vessel contingency plans.

  • Establishes a volunteer coordination system to supplement oil spill response.

  • Increases potential civil liability for oil spills.

  • Makes other changes to statutes relating to oil spill prevention, response, and contingency planning.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & MARINE WATERS

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: The Legislature has directed the Department of Ecology (DOE) to oversee the state's planning, prevention, and response efforts for oil spills in state waters.

 

Contingency Planning. A tank vessel, cargo vessel, and passenger vessel must have a contingency plan for the containment and cleanup of spills from the vessel and for the protection of specified natural resources. DOE must adopt rules setting standards for these plans and periodically update the standards. Contingency plans must meet standards such as:

Contingency Plan Response Drills. DOE must adopt rules to determine the adequacy of contingency plans, which must include random practice drills. The rules may also require random, unannounced practice drills.

Spill Notification Requirements. A covered vessel located within 12 miles of the state's coastline is required to notify the United States Coast Guard (USCG) within one hour of becoming disabled, colliding with another vessel, or experiencing a near-miss collision with another vessel. DOE and the Military Department must request that the USCG provide the state notice as soon as possible, and DOE must negotiate an agreement that allows state notification of incidents reported to the USCG.

Liability for Spills. Current law establishes several forms of potential spill related civil liability.

Summary of Bill: Adds Requirements for Tank Vessel Contingency Plans. By July 1, 2012, a contingency plan for a tank vessel must include:

Adds Requirements for Umbrella Plan Holders and Tank Vessel Enrollees. A contingency plan for an umbrella plan holder covering both tank and non-tank vessels must include the maximum worst case discharge volume to be covered by the plan for both vessel types. If a tank vessel has a worse case discharge volume larger than the maximum covered by the umbrella plan, the owner or operator must demonstrate to DOE that they have access to necessary additional response capacity.

Establishes a Timeline for Contingency Plan Review. After contingency plan submittal, DOE must notify the plan holder within 65 days whether the plan is disapproved, approved, or conditionally approved. If the plan is conditionally approved, DOE must clearly describe each condition and specify a schedule for required updates.

Requires Joint Tank Vessel Contingency Plan Response Drills. DOE must order at least one joint large-scale, multiple plan deployment drill for a tank vessel every three years to ensure compliance with contingency plan requirements. A joint drill may be incorporated into other drill requirements, and DOE must coordinate the drills with other specified jurisdictions when practicable.

Amends Spill Notification Requirements. In addition to any notice required to the USCG, a vessel must notify the state of any vessel emergency that results in the discharge or substantial threat of discharge, or that may affect the state's natural resources.

Increases Potential Liability for Spills. Violations relating to contingency planning and spills are increased in the following manner:

Establishes a Volunteer Coordination System to Supplement Spill Response. By July 1, 2014, DOE must establish a system to prepare for the coordination of volunteers to assist in appropriate spill response activities. A volunteer, DOE, and a participating local emergency management organization receive limited protection from civil liability for acts of the volunteer.

Establishes Additional Spills Related Requirements for DOE. DOE must:

Sets a Compliance Schedule for the New Contingency Planning Requirements. Contingency plan components relating to vessels of opportunity systems and multispectrum scanning technology must be approved by July 1, 2012. Other new required equipment and response plan components must be approved by January 1, 2013.

An intent section is included. Terms are defined.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill is based on need to fill gaps in oil spill response capacity in the state and is designed to allow quick response to a catastrophic spill. This bill incorporates information from many previous studies, recommendations, and lessons learned from previous spills. Gaps include large spills, rough seas, and in fog and at night. The ability to quickly gauge the size and location of spills at night and in fog will help avoid delays in response. In addition to technology, need to consider amount of equipment available such as booms. Impacts from an oil spill would devastate Washington in many ways including the economy, environment, and recreation. Vessels of opportunity will take advantage of the skill and expertise of commercial fishers who are familiar with the area. Tribal fishing fleets do not fish elsewhere, and will be readily available to respond as vessels of opportunity. All know that there are dangers in shipping oil through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and it only takes one incident to devastate an ecosystem and the community. Economic impacts of a large spill drastically outweigh the costs of prevention and response capacity. The shellfish industry saw its colleagues in the Gulf impacted by the spill, and want to avoid the same fate. Additional drill coordination is necessary to ensure the vessels of opportunity successfully integrate into the effort.

CON: DOE has the authority to compel most of the contingency planning elements in the bill under existing authority; much of the bill is duplicative. The industry has achieved great success in reducing spills through a great investment in prevention and response equipment and personnel, most recently funding the Neah Bay tug. Industry funds a response system that has dedicated response capacity ready to respond immediately at any time. Industry meets and exceeds requirements, and already operates a vessels of opportunity system. Current law requires response capacity for a worst case spill and current plans receive thorough review by DOE under this requirement. Umbrella contingency plans cover many vessels, and the bill has unintended consequences for participants in these plans. Since both tank and non-tank vessels are covered in this umbrella plan, creating different requirements for member vessels could increase costs and cause some members to leave. Use of vessels of opportunity is maximized with logistics and support, and not oil recovery which is the role of dedicated resources. Spills are unthinkable for those in the industry, which is why they invest so heavily.

OTHER: The bill addresses a number of suggestions from previous studies and workgroup recommendations following up from Gulf spill support many aspects of this bill. Equipment and vessel of opportunity standards would assist with identification, mapping, and collection of spilled oil before it reaches the shore. This would get the best achievable technology in the state prior to a spill, not wait until a spill occurs.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Rolfes, prime sponsor; Naki Stevens, Department of Natural Resources; Bruce Wishart, People for Puget Sound; Neil Beaver, Audubon Washington; Chad Bowchop, Makah Tribe; Bill Dewey, Taylor Shellfish; Phil Johnson, Jefferson County Commission; John McDonald, Puget Sound gillnet fisher.

CON: Dan Nutt, Washington State Maritime Cooperative; Frank Holmes, Western States Petroleum Assn.; Rick Wickman, Maritime Fire and Safety Assn., Columbia River Steamship Operators Assn.; Kip Knudson, Tesoro Refining.

OTHER: Dale Jensen, DOE; Todd Hass, Puget Sound Partnership.