SB 6641 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Recognizes that while the prevention of oil and hazardous substances spills and the goal of zero spills are the primary objectives of the oil spill program, the best available technologies for contingency planning and response must also be in place in the event that a spill does occur.

Provides that, to ensure that the state oil spill program is utilizing the most effective and up-to-date methods and technologies, the department of ecology shall initiate a review of current oil spill prevention and contingency plan requirements to determine their effectiveness in preventing and responding to oil and other hazardous substances spills.

Directs the department of ecology to create an oil spill review committee to implement this act.

Requires the oil spill review committee to research and recommend: (1) Methods to best achieve a zero spill strategy;

(2) Best management practices and regulations on oil spill prevention during oil transfers including the use of automatic shutoff devices, the number and training requirements of personnel, daylight-only fuel transfers, illumination standards, and other oil transfer prevention strategies; and

(3) Methods and data requirements for monitoring the effectiveness of oil spill prevention strategies.

Requires the oil spill review committee to report recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2004.

Requires any person or facility conducting ship refueling and bunkering operations, or the lightering of petroleum products, and any person or facility transferring oil between an onshore or offshore facility and a covered vessel to: (1) Deploy a boom prior to and during a transfer of oil to a covered vessel or other vessel with an oil capacity over two hundred fifty barrels when required by rules adopted under this act; and

(2) Ensure that sufficient personnel are present during the transfer, including compliance with standards for dual watch adopted by rule under this act.