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S.F. No. 2797 - Railroad and Pipeline Safety Emergency Response Preparedness (First Engrossment)
 
Author: Senator Vicki Jensen
 
Prepared By: Krista Boyd, Senate Fiscal Analyst (651/296-7681)
 
Date: March 26, 2014



 

Section 1 defines “listed sensitive area” as having special economic or environmental importance, and being so designated in a plan under the federal Clean Water Act.

Section 2 defines “local incident commander” as the most senior official at the site of a discharge.

Section 3 defines “unit train” as having more than 25 tanker cars carrying oil or hazardous substance cargo.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Section 4 specifies requirements for preparedness and response for certain railroads and pipelines.

Subdivision 1 applies this section to an owner/operator of a unit train or pipeline facilities required to show specific preparedness under law.  This subdivision is effective the day following final enactment.

Subdivision 2 requires each railroad to offer training, by June 30, 2016, and refresher training every three years thereafter, to each fire department along the route of unit trains.  Training topics are specified.  This subdivision is effective the day following final enactment.

Subdivision 3 requires annual meetings, beginning June 30, 2015, to discuss emergency response coordination.  The meetings must include each railroad and pipeline company, a county or city emergency manager and senior fire department officer of each department along the route of a unit train or pipeline.  This subdivision is effective the day following final enactment.

Subdivision 4 provides that a railroad or pipeline company is responsible for deploying sufficient equipment and resources to a discharge site.  The section specifies the resources that are required to be deployed at various time periods following a discharge.  This subdivision is effective July 1, 2015.

Subdivision 5 requires a railroad or pipeline company, by June 30, 2015, to submit a prevention and response plan for approval to the Pollution Control Agency, and must update the plan for approval every third year following plan submission.  This subdivision is effective the day following final enactment.

Section 5 specifies the duties of the Pollution Control Agency with regard to environmental protection activities related to railroad and pipeline discharge preparedness.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

BB/KB:rer

 
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