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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 21, 2016 10:01 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Scott Conklin |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Well Operation Response Team Act (Former HB 524) |
| In the near future, I will be reintroducing former House Bill 524 of 2015 – empowering the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) to establish regulations as they relate to response teams employed in operations surrounding the drilling and production of oil and gas wells. Due to the inherent dangers encountered during the process of well drilling, it is imperative that knowledgeable, certified response teams be in place in case of an emergency. Assuring the presence on site of a team of trained professionals who are well prepared to tackle issues arising from these operations is vital. Additionally, response teams at the site have the ability to contact local first responders when necessary proving crucial not only to the safety of the workers at the site, but also to residents in the surrounding community. In light of the above, this legislation will require dedicated, certified, trained professional response teams to be in place at all times during exploration drilling and any time prior to well completion. Additionally, it requires the ongoing training of response team members and first responders. Finally, it will ensure that local first responders, L&I and the state response center are contacted in a timely manner during an emergency. Imposing criteria to ensure experienced response teams are up to date with training and procedures, have state-of-the-art communications technology and are state certified will promote safety on the job and provide a sense of security to the community in which the well is located. Citizens may rest assured that in case of a well emergency, the response team will be there to act immediately, securing the site and contacting first responders in situations where time is paramount. Previous Cosponsors: CARROLL, COHEN, HARKINS, MAHONEY, McCARTER, MURT, O'BRIEN, READSHAW AND THOMAS |
Introduced as HB1729