49-34B-26. Prohibition against disposing of, destroying or altering pipeline involved in emergency release--Violation as felony.
151 words·~1 min read·
/sd/title-49/chapter-49-34/49-34b-26A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
After an emergency release from a pipeline has occurred, no pipeline operator, or its employee or agent, may dispose of, destroy, or alter the part of a pipeline that was involved in the emergency release until approval is granted by the commission. This section does not prevent an operator from taking appropriate action to limit or prevent the further release of gas. The authority of the commission to grant approval may not be delegated.
This section may not be construed to prevent the excavation and removal from the ground of a pipeline or part of a pipeline if the pipeline is not intentionally altered in a manner that prevents or hinders a determination of the cause of the emergency release. A person who knowingly violates the provisions of this section, or who denies the commission access to the pipeline for the purposes of inspection, is guilty of a Class 5 felony.