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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to rules
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to requiring permit holders engaging in the drilling, casing, operation, plugging, and replugging of gas wells to post a bond
Purpose or general idea of bill
To authorize the Commissioner to require the posting of a bond for the purpose of repairing or replacing a water supply damaged or destroyed by natural gas drilling.
Summary of specific provisions
Adds to the existing authorizations given to the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. The legislation allows the Commissioner to require that a permit holder who is authorized to drill gas wells, post a bond with the State Comptroller to be drawn upon pursuant to Court Order or through an optional arbitration proceeding, if a water supply is contaminated.
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
Existing law does not authorize the Commissioner to require a bond for the remediation, reconstruction or new construction of wells or water supply systems if they are damaged during or as a result of gas drilling.
Justification
The Marcellus Shale is a natural gas formation that exists in a large portion of the State of New York, including in water rich areas such as the Catskills. While gas exploration has not historically damaged well water, many landowners both where gas exploration occurs or near such areas, are concerned that their water supply could be impacted. This bill would give the Commissioner the authority to require a bond and a process to draw upon that bond if a water supply is damaged.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.