SB 6441-S - DIGEST

(NOT SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE ORIGINAL BILL)

     Declares an intent to protect the health and safety of the citizens of the state of Washington and the quality of the state's environment by developing and implementing environmental and public safety measures applicable to persons transporting hazardous liquids and gas by pipeline within the state of Washington.

     Finds that public safety and the environment may best be protected by adopting standards that are equal to, or more stringent than, those adopted by the federal government, so long as they do not impermissibly interfere with interstate commerce.

     Requires that the department shall, by June 30, 2002, develop and periodically update, for the consideration by local governments:  (1) A model ordinance that establishes setback and depth requirements for new pipeline construction;

     (2) a model franchise agreement for jurisdictions through which a hazardous liquid or gas pipeline is located; and

     (3) protective standards applicable to existing and proposed pipelines in densely populated areas and environmentally sensitive areas.

     Transfers all powers, duties, and functions of the utilities and transportation commission pertaining to pipeline safety to the department of ecology.

     Creates a pipeline safety advisory committee to advise the department, the utilities and transportation commission, energy facility site evaluation council, and other appropriate federal, state, and local government agencies and officials on matters relating to pipeline safety, routing, construction, operation, and maintenance.

     Requires that, in consultation with the emergency management program within the state military department, the department of ecology, the utilities and transportation commission, and local emergency services organizations, the chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection or his or her authorized deputy, shall:  (1) Evaluate the preparedness of local first responders in meeting emergency management demands under this act; and

     (2) conduct an assessment of the equipment needed by local first responders to meet emergency management demands related to pipelines.

     Directs the chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection or his or her deputy, to develop curricula for training local first responders to deal with pipeline accidents.

     Requires the department of ecology, in consultation  with the utilities and transportation commission, to establish a single state-wide toll-free telephone number to be used for excavation notification and shall require the six one-call centers that exist as of the effective date of this act to be reachable through that number.

     Declares that a pipeline company that fails to comply with any provision of this act shall be subject to civil penalties of not less than five thousand dollars.

     Declares that a pipeline company that fails to report a dangerous release shall be guilty of a class B felony punishable under RCW 9A.20.021 if:  (1) The company knows or has reason to know that a dangerous release exists;

     (2) the company does not immediately report the release to the local first responder; and

     (3) the dangerous release causes the death of, or bodily injury to, an individual.

     Repeals RCW 81.88.040.