55-194. Annual report.

55-194

Chapter 55.--OIL AND GAS
Article 1.--OIL AND GAS WELLS; REGULATORY PROVISIONS

      55-194.   Annual report.(a) The commission shall prepare an annual report containingthefollowing information regarding each contamination site:

      (1)   A description and evaluation of the site, including surface andsubsurface contamination;

      (2)   the immediacy of the threat to public health or the environment frompollution from the site, including any contamination of drinking water orgroundwater;

      (3)   the level of surface and subsurface remediation recommended;

      (4)   any unusual problems associated with investigation or remediation ofpollution from the site;

      (5)   an estimate of the cost to achieve the recommended level of remediationor, if no estimate is possible, an estimate of the cost to conduct aninvestigation sufficientto determine the cost of remediation;

      (6)   any funds available to pay the costs of remediation;

      (7)   with regard to remediation of pollution from the site performed duringthe preceding fiscal year: (A) The nature of such remediation; (B) the totalamount expended for such remediation; and (C) the amount expended foradministrative expenses of the commission and compensation and other expensesof employing personnel to carry out the duties of the commission; and

      (8)   total expenditures in preceding fiscal years for remediation at thesite.

      (b)   The commission shall prepare an annual reportcontaining the following information regarding abandoned wells and their wellsites:

      (1)   Documentation of the number of unplugged abandoned wells in the state;and

      (2)   a multiyear plan for dealing with unplugged abandoned wells thatcategorizes wells according to the risk posed to public health and theenvironment, sets forth a schedule for plugging wells posing the most seriousrisks and addresses funding of the plan.

      (c)   The commission shall submit the reports provided for by this section tothe governor and the chairperson and ranking minority member of the committeeson energy and natural resources of the senate and the house of representatives,on or before the first day of the regular legislative session each year.

      History:   L. 1996, ch. 263, § 9; July 1.