Email: Chapter 24B, Article 2
§24B-2-1. Jurisdiction.
The commission shall have power and authority to prescribe and enforce safety standards for pipeline facilities, and to regulate safety practices of persons engaged in the transportation of gas or hazardous liquids, to the extent permitted by the "Act of 1968" and the "Act of 1979" and any amendments thereto. Such standards may apply to the design, installation, inspection, testing, construction, extension, operation, replacement and maintenance of pipeline facilities. Standards affecting the design, installation, construction, initial inspection and initial testing shall not be applicable to pipeline facilities in existence on the date such standards are adopted. Whenever the commission shall find a particular facility to be hazardous to life or property, it shall be empowered to require the person operating such facility to take such steps necessary to remove such hazards. Such safety standards shall be practicable and designed to meet the need for pipeline safety. In prescribing such standards, the commission shall consider:
(a) Relevant available pipeline safety data;
(b) Whether such standards are appropriate for the particular type of pipeline transportation;
(c) The reasonableness of any proposed standards; and
(d) The extent to which such standards will contribute to public safety.
§24B-2-2. Rules and regulations.
The commission shall prescribe such rules and regulations as it may deem proper for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter without distinction based on the interstate or intrastate character of the person, thing or activity to which such rules and regulations apply.
§24B-2-3. General investigatory powers.
The commission shall have power to investigate all methods and practices of pipeline companies; to require the maintenance and filing of reports, records and other information in such form and detail as the commission may prescribe; to enter upon and to inspect the property, buildings, plants, and offices of such pipeline companies; and to inspect books, records, papers and documents relevant to the enforcement of this chapter.
§24B-2-4. Cooperation with the federal government.
The commission shall cooperate with the secretary and other agencies of the United States in the enforcement of this chapter and the "Act of 1968" and amendments thereto; and to this end, the commission shall take such steps as may be necessary to make annual certifications to the secretary under section five (a) of the "Act of 1968," and shall file such certificates with the secretary. The commission is hereby authorized and empowered (a) to act as the secretary's agent in the enforcement of the "Act of 1968" and amendments thereto with respect to interstate transmission facilities; and (b) to accept for the State of West Virginia, and to expend for the purpose designated, any funds that may hereafter be made available to the commission out of the federal treasury by an act or acts of Congress and allocated to this state for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter and the "Act of 1968" and amendments thereto.
The commission shall further cooperate with the secretary and other agencies of the United States in the enforcement of the "Act of 1979" and amendments thereto; and to this end the commission shall take such steps as may be necessary to make annual certifications to the secretary under section two hundred five-a of the "Act of 1979" and shall file such certificates with the secretary. The commission is hereby authorized and empowered (a) to act as the secretary's agent in the enforcement of the "Act of 1979" and amendments thereto with respect to interstate pipeline facilities; and (b) to accept for the State of West Virginia, and expend for the purpose designated, any funds that may hereafter be made available to the commission out of the federal treasury by an act or acts of Congress and allocated to this state for the purpose of carrying out the "Act of 1979" and amendments thereto.