49-34B-26. Prohibition against disposing of, destroying or altering pipeline involved in emergency release--Violation as felony.
After an emergency release from a pipeline has occurred, no pipeline operator, or its employee or agent, may dispose of, destroy, or alter the part of a pipeline that was involved in the emergency release until approval is granted by the commission. This section does not prevent an operator from taking appropriate action to limit or prevent the further release of gas. The authority of the commission to grant approval may not be delegated.
This section may not be construed to prevent the excavation and removal from the ground of a pipeline or part of a pipeline if the pipeline is not intentionally altered in a manner that prevents or hinders a determination of the cause of the emergency release. A person who knowingly violates the provisions of this section, or who denies the commission access to the pipeline for the purposes of inspection, is guilty of a Class 5 felony.
Source: SL 1994, ch 357, ยง25.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Title 49 - Public Utilities and Carriers
Section 49-34B-1 - Definition of terms.
Section 49-34B-3 - Pipeline safety inspection program created--Compliance program.
Section 49-34B-4 - Promulgation of safety standards--Considerations.
Section 49-34B-5 - Noncompliance--Hearing--Corrective action.
Section 49-34B-7 - Required records and information--Inspection by employee or agent of commission.
Section 49-34B-8 - Programs for prevention of damage.
Section 49-34B-10 - Calculating inspection fee for intrastate operators.
Section 49-34B-13 - Conduct in violation of federal act--Authority of commission to pursue remedies.
Section 49-34B-15 - Designation of commission's inspectors as federal agents.
Section 49-34B-17 - Calculation of interstate operator's inspection fee.
Section 49-34B-19 - Promulgation of inspection and safety rules.
Section 49-34B-20 - Promulgation of rules for calculation, assessment, and collection of fees.
Section 49-34B-21 - Accident report available in judicial proceedings.
Section 49-34B-22 - Trade secrets information confidential.
Section 49-34B-23 - Acceptance of federal moneys.
Section 49-34B-24 - Waiver of compliance with standards--Reasons to be stated.
Section 49-34B-27 - Powers of commission in enforcement of chapter.