(a) The Legislature recognizes that hazardous liquid pipelines are often located alongside and in the immediate proximity of rail lines. In the event of a derailment, these pipelines may be damaged in such a fashion that their integrity is lost, making a rupture or leak more likely.
(b) In an effort to better protect public safety, the State Fire Marshal shall adopt regulations governing the construction, testing, operations, periodic inspection, and emergency operations of intrastate hazardous liquid pipelines located within 500 feet of any rail line. These regulations shall, at a minimum, include provisions dealing with the following:
(1) Minimum depth of cover for newly constructed or reconstructed pipelines.
(2) Minimum hydrostatic testing requirements for newly constructed pipelines.
(3) Minimum requirements for testing existing pipelines which may have been affected by a derailment.
(4) Minimum requirements for periodic inspections.
(5) Minimum requirements for installation and operation of safety or check valves.
(6) Procedures for developing, testing, approving, and implementing coordinated emergency contingency plans prepared by pipeline and rail operators. These procedures shall also provide for consultation with local affected agencies, and require pipeline and rail operations to develop and implement emergency training for their employees approved by the State Fire Marshal.
(Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1252, Sec. 3.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018