Existing law establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. Existing law requires major oil producers, refiners, marketers, oil transporters, oil storers, pipeline operators, and ports to annually submit certain information to the commission. Existing law establishes the Geologic Energy Management Division in the Department of Conservation, under the direction of the State Oil and Gas Supervisor, who is required to supervise the drilling, operation, maintenance, and abandonment of oil and gas wells in the state and the operation, maintenance, and removal or abandonment of tanks and facilities related to oil and gas production within an oil and gas field, so as to prevent damage to life, health, property, and natural resources.
This bill would require the Geologic Energy Management Division to identify, on or before December 31, 2026, those pipelines that qualify as reportable pipelines, as defined. The bill would require, commencing March 30, 2027, and each month thereafter, the operators of reportable pipelines to report pipeline flows to the division. If reportable pipeline flows fall to, or below, their rated minimum throughput levels, the bill would require the operators to notify the division within 24 hours of the potential pipeline shutdown. The bill would also require the division to notify the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, the Governor, and specified legislative committees of the potential reportable pipeline shutdown, and to confer with the commission to determine if the potential reportable pipeline shutdown could result in gasoline supply disruptions. The bill would require the division to establish a form for reporting pipeline flows that may be submitted via email by reportable pipeline operators. The form shall include a method to report when pipeline flows reach minimum throughput levels.