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2014 SESSION

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SB 48 Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area; prohibition on oil and gas drilling.

Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE: (all summaries)

Drilling in the Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area. Allows the drilling for oil and gas in the Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area if certain Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) standards for the protection of groundwater and surface water are met. The Department of Mining, Minerals and Energy (DMME) is not authorized to issue a permit to drill in the Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area until DEQ has completed its review of (i) the current surface water and groundwater quality and quantity regulations in the management area and (ii) any amendments to the regulation that are necessary to protect groundwater and surface water. The DEQ review is to be completed by December 1, 2014. The State Water Control Board, as the policy board, is required to use its best efforts to adopt any changes in the regulations by July 1, 2016. The DEQ is also charged with reviewing any criteria and procedures for preparation and evaluation of the environmental impact assessments that the permit applicant is required to submit to DMME. The bill requires the assessment to include the impact of drilling, production, and transportation on surface and groundwater quality and supply. The DEQ shall use its best efforts to review and incorporate any changes to the assessment by October 1, 2015.


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