This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance the emergency event notification and reporting requirements for industrial facilities, well operators, and pipeline operators. It clarifies the responsibilities of these entities during emergency events, such as explosions or hazardous substance releases, and mandates that they report incidents to the local county 9-1-1 Center or the Mine and Industrial Accident Emergency Operations Center within 15 minutes. The bill also establishes that the Department of Environmental Protection will investigate compliance with these requirements and outlines the process for imposing civil penalties for non-compliance, including the conditions under which penalties may be waived.

Key changes include the redefinition of certain roles, such as replacing the "Director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management" with the "Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection," and specifying that civil penalties will be collected by the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill also stipulates that all collected penalties will be deposited into the Hazardous Waste Emergency Response Fund. Additionally, it provides a mechanism for operators to request reconsideration of penalties and clarifies the appeals process to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-5B-3a, 15-5C-2
Committee Substitute: 15-5B-3a, 15-5C-2