reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-106 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-106 - Drilling Well and Disposing of Well's Products -- Bifurcation of Process

    (a)    The Department may bifurcate an application to drill for oil or gas when the drilling will be conducted in geologic formations not yet proven to be productive.    (b)    If the Department bifurcates the permit process it may issue a permit for exploration only. Production may not commence until the environmental assessment required by § 14–104 of this subtitle has been completed and approved by the Department and the Department has issued a permit for production. An additional opportunity for a public hearing shall be provided in accordance with § 14–105(f) of this subtitle prior to the issuance of any permit for production.    (c)    If the Department bifurcates the permit process, the environmental assessment required under § 14–104 of this subtitle may also be bifurcated to address separately environmental issues associated with exploration and production. However, prior to granting a permit to conduct exploratory drilling in the coastal plain, the Department shall require the applicant to submit an environmental assessment that contains general information regarding the environmental impacts of possible production, including the potential effects of transporting and storing oil or gas and the potential adverse environmental impacts that may arise due to the environmental characteristics of the drilling site.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-107 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-107 - Drilling Well and Disposing of Well's Products -- Chesapeake Bay or Tributaries; Chesapeake Bay Critical Area

    Notwithstanding any other law, a person may not drill for oil or gas in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, any of its tributaries, or in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-107.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-107.1 - Hydraulic Fracturing Prohibited

    (a)    In this section, “hydraulic fracturing” means a stimulation treatment performed on oil and natural gas wells in low–permeability oil or natural gas reservoirs through which specially engineered fluids are pumped at high pressure and rate into the reservoir interval to be treated, causing fractures to open.    (b)    A person may not engage in the hydraulic fracturing of a well for the exploration or production of oil or natural gas in the State.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-108 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-108 - Drilling Well and Disposing of Well's Products -- Denial of Permit

    The Department shall deny the permit if the Department determines that:        (1)    The proposed operation shall violate a requirement of this subtitle or a regulation adopted under this subtitle;        (2)    The proposed drilling or well operation poses a substantial threat to public safety or a risk of significant adverse environmental impact to, but not limited to, the following:            (i)    The Chesapeake Bay;            (ii)    The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area;            (iii)    Tidal or nontidal wetlands;            (iv)    Endangered or threatened species, species in need of conservation, or the habitat of any of them;            (v)    Historic properties under § 5A–326 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;            (vi)    Populated areas;            (vii)    Freshwater, estuarine, or marine fisheries; or            (viii)    Other significant natural resources;        (3)    The applicant has failed to receive applicable permits or approvals for the operation from all State and local regulatory units responsible for air and water pollution, sediment control, and zoning;        (4)    The operation will constitute a significant physical hazard to a neighboring dwelling unit, school, church, hospital, commercial or industrial building, public road, or other public or private property in existence at the time of the application for the permit;        (5)    The operation will have a significant adverse effect on the uses of a publicly owned park, forest, or recreation area in existence at the time of the application for the permit; or        (6)    The applicant has not corrected any violations committed by the applicant under any prior permit.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-110 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-110 - Conditions on Permits

    (a)    (1)    A permit shall be expressly conditioned upon compliance with all requirements of this subtitle and any regulations adopted under this subtitle.        (2)    The Department may place in a permit conditions which the Department deems reasonable and appropriate to assure that the operation shall fully comply with the requirements of this subtitle, and provide for public safety and the protection of the State’s natural resources.    (b)    Violation of a permit condition is a violation of this subtitle subject to enforcement and penalties under this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-112 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-112 - Location of Wells

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a well for the production or underground storage of gas or oil may not be drilled on any property nearer than 1,000 feet to the boundary of the property except by agreement with the owners of the gas and oil on adjacent lands.        (2)    A well for the production of coalbed methane may not be drilled on any property nearer than 500 feet to the boundary of the property except by agreement with the owners of coalbed methane on adjacent lands.    (b)    On property on which it is impossible to locate a well the required minimum distance from the boundary, and where no agreement with the owners of the gas and oil or coalbed methane on adjacent lands has been made, a well may be located nearer than the required minimum distance under subsection (a) of this section to the boundary with the consent of the Department. However, when any permit to drill a well nearer than the required minimum distance to the boundary has been applied for, the Department shall notify every landowner, royalty owner, or leaseholder within the required minimum distance of the location of the proposed well, giving them a reasonable opportunity to file objections to the issuance of the permit. The Department then shall hold a hearing. If the Department determines that it is necessary for the well to be located nearer than the required minimum distance to the boundary, it may issue the permit. If a permit is issued, any landowner, royalty owner, or leaseholder within the required minimum distance of the proposed well has the right to a rehearing and appeal to the courts provided in this subtitle. A request for a rehearing or an appeal to the courts stays the authority granted under the permit until final determination of the issued permit is made.    (c)    The Department, by rule or regulation, shall prescribe the distance between any two wells on any property.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-113 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-113 - Payment of Royalties When Leased Land Included Under Unit Agreement

    On completion of a well producing gas or oil on any leased lands included under a unit operation agreement, royalties from the producing well shall be paid on all lands originally included within the unit operation agreement. Within six months after the completion of the producing well, the lands within the unit operation agreement not included as “in pool” acreage and on which no royalties are payable, shall be released, unless the owner of the lands has otherwise agreed in writing. This section does not extend to any leases and unit operation agreements in effect on June 1, 1956.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-114 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-114 - Rules, Regulations, and Orders of Department

    (a)    Except in an emergency, a rule, regulation, order, or amendment may not be made by the Department without a public hearing upon at least ten days’ notice. The public hearing shall be held at the time and place prescribed by the Department. Any interested person is entitled to be heard by the Department.    (b)    When an emergency requiring immediate action exists, the Department is authorized to issue an emergency order without notice or hearing. An emergency order takes effect upon promulgation. An emergency order may not remain effective for more than 15 days.    (c)    All rules, regulations, and orders issued by the Department shall be in writing, entered and indexed in books kept by the Department as public documents open for inspection during normal office hours. A copy of any rule, regulation, or order certified by the Secretary of the Department or the Secretary’s designee shall be received in evidence in all courts with the same effect as the original.    (d)    The Department may act either upon its own motion or the petition of any interested person. On the filing of a petition concerning any matter within its jurisdiction, it shall promptly fix a date for a hearing and cause notice of the hearing to be given. The hearing shall be held promptly after the filing of the petition. If the hearing relates to the issuance of a permit for or with respect to a specific well, it shall be held in the county or municipal corporation where the well is located. The Department shall enter its order within ten days after the hearing.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-115 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-115 - Subpoenas

    (a)    The Department may summon witnesses, administer oaths, and require the production of records, books, and documents for examination at any hearing or investigation it conducts.    (b)    If any person fails or refuses to comply with a subpoena issued by the Department, or if any witness refuses to testify as to any matter regarding which the witness may be interrogated, any court of competent jurisdiction, upon the application of the Department, may issue an attachment for the person and compel the person to comply with the subpoena, and appear before the Department and produce records, books, and documents for examination and give testimony. If a person disobeys a subpoena or refuses to testify, the court may punish the person for contempt.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-116 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-116 - Rehearings for Persons Adversely Affected by a Rule, Regulation, or Order of Department

    Any person adversely affected by any rule, regulation, determination, or order of the Department may within 15 days after its effective date apply to the Department in writing for a rehearing. The application shall be acted upon within 15 days after its filing. The rehearing, if granted, shall be held promptly.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-117 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-117 - Appeal From Department's Decisions

    (a)    Except as provided in § 14-105 of this subtitle, any person aggrieved by any action of the Department may apply to the circuit court of the county in which the person resides or the well is located for review of its decision. Any other interested party may intervene. The Department may become a party to the appeal. The case shall be docketed at once but may not take precedence over any other civil cause, action, or proceeding on the docket. The court shall hear the proceedings de novo, determine all matters of law and fact without a jury, and render its decision approving, setting aside, or modifying the Department’s action.    (b)    Any party aggrieved by the final decision of the court may appeal to the Court of Special Appeals.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-118 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-118 - Injunctions

    Upon application of the Department, verified by oath or affirmation, the circuit court of the county where the well is located, sitting in equity, may by injunction enforce compliance with, or restrain the violation of any order, notice, rule or regulation made under the provisions of this subtitle or restrain the violation or attempted violation of any of the provisions of this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-119 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-119 - Gas to Be Metered

    (a)    A person who is the owner or operator of any gas well may not willfully take gas from the well unless the gas is metered by a standard metering system. The cleaning or blowing of a well is not construed as a “taking” within the meaning of this section. If any person or operator producing gas from any well violates the terms of this section, the person’s or operator’s interest in the lease under which the well is being produced shall be void and subject to cancellation at the suit of the owners of the royalty interest in the leased premises on which the violation occurs.    (b)    The Department shall inspect, read, or test any meters, through which natural gas is being measured upon the request of any lessor, lessee, operator, or royalty owner from whose land, lease, or royalty interest, natural gas is being produced.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-120 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-120 - Penalties

    (a)    For each offense, any person who willfully violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction is subject to a fine of:        (1)    Up to $50,000;        (2)    An amount sufficient to cover the cost of damages resulting from all of the following caused by the permittee, including a contractor of the permittee:            (i)    Any oil or gas spill;            (ii)    Any other discharge; and            (iii)    Any violation of this subtitle; and        (3)    Costs imposed in the discretion of the court.    (b)    Any penalty imposed under this subtitle is in addition to any other penalties provided by law.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-121 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-121 - Inspection of Coalbed Methane Production

    (a)    The Department may make inspections as it determines necessary to ensure compliance with this subtitle.    (b)    In order to carry out an inspection in accordance with this section, the Department, or its authorized agents, may:        (1)    Conduct tests or sampling, or examine books, papers, and records that relate to any matter under an investigation in accordance with this subtitle; and        (2)    At reasonable times, enter and examine any property, facility, operation, or activity.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-122 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-122 - Oil and Gas Fund

    (a)    There is an Oil and Gas Fund.    (b)    The Fund consists of:        (1)    Fees collected by the Department under § 14–105 of this subtitle;        (2)    Funds appropriated by the General Assembly for deposit to the Fund;        (3)    Fines and proceeds from financial assurance instruments collected by the Department in accordance with this subtitle that exceed the amount necessary to reclaim a site; and        (4)    Any additional money made available from any sources, public or private, for the purposes for which the Fund has been established.    (c)    (1)    The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.        (2)    Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, unused money in the Fund may not revert to the General Fund.    (d)    The Fund shall be maintained and administered by the Department in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle and any regulations the Department adopts.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-123 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-123 - Use of Money

    The Department shall use money in the Fund solely to administer and implement programs to oversee the drilling, development, production, and storage of oil and gas wells, and other requirements related to the drilling of oil and gas wells, including all costs incurred by the State to:        (1)    Review, inspect, and evaluate monitoring data, applications, licenses, permits, analyses, and reports;        (2)    Perform and oversee assessments, investigations, and research;        (3)    Conduct permitting, inspection, and compliance activities; and        (4)    Develop, adopt, and implement regulations, programs, or initiatives to address risks to public safety, human health, and the environment related to the drilling and development of oil and gas wells, including the method of hydrofracturing.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-124 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-124 - Report

    Beginning November 1, 2010, the Department shall report each year to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on:        (1)    The status of the Fund;        (2)    Revenues of and expenditures from the Fund;        (3)    The efficiency of the regulatory program under this subtitle;        (4)    Compliance rates within the regulatory program under this subtitle; and        (5)    Based on the factors listed in items (1) through (4) of this section, the necessity to review and adjust the fee in accordance with § 14–105(d) of this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-125 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 14-125 - Regulations

    The Department shall adopt regulations:         (1)    To carry out this subtitle; and        (2)    To establish procedures for imposing and collecting the fees established in accordance with § 14–105 of this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-201 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 2 - Prince George's County Underground Storage Act|Section 14-201 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Department” means the Department of the Environment.    (c)    “Gas” means natural gas, whether or not processed by the removal of component parts not essential to its use for light, heat, power, or manufactured gas of any combination or mixture.    (d)    “Gas storage company” means any corporation of this State, any other state, the District of Columbia, or the United States, which is engaged in supplying gas to local consumers in this State and which desires to engage in the underground storage of gas in this State in whole or in part for either direct or ultimate distribution to its consumers.    (e)    “Public body” means the State, any political subdivision, or any unit of, or created by, either the State or any political subdivision.    (f)    “Underground storage” or “underground storage of gas” means the storing of gas in a geological stratum or strata beneath the surface of the earth, together with all operations necessary or convenient therefor including but not limited to the following: acquisition, preparation, alteration, maintenance, utilization, and operation of an underground storage reservoir for the storage of gas together with the injection of gas into the underground storage reservoir and its withdrawal therefrom.    (g)    “Underground storage reservoir” means the stratum or strata and the subsurface areas which are or are to be used for, or in connection with, the underground storage of gas.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 2 - Prince George's County Underground Storage Act|Section 14-202 - Authority of Gas Storage Company to Acquire Use of Geological Strata

    (a)    Subject to the limitations and provisions contained in this subtitle, a gas storage company may acquire by eminent domain the right to utilize for underground storage of gas, geological strata lying not less than 800 feet below the surface of a maximum of 12,000 acres of land in Prince George’s County. However, the 12,000 acres shall be within the area located west of highway U.S. 301 where located as of July 1, 1965; north of the Charles County boundary line; east of 76 degrees 56 minutes 30 seconds west longitude; and south of 38 degrees 45 minutes 45 seconds north latitude. The use of eminent domain in any case under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Title 12 of the Real Property Article, which are applicable to any eminent domain proceeding case under this subtitle.    (b)    Subject to the limitations and provisions contained in this subtitle, a gas storage company may acquire, in Prince George’s County, by negotiation and agreement, the right to utilize for underground storage of gas, geological strata owned by any public body and lying not less than 800 feet below the surface of land, which right the public body may grant for the consideration agreed upon with the gas storage company. If the company and public body cannot agree upon the consideration, or if there is no public authority other than the General Assembly which has power to enter into the agreement, then the company may acquire the right by eminent domain, in the manner provided in Title 12 of the Real Property Article for the taking by eminent domain of private property for a public use, which provisions are applicable to any case under this subtitle. If the State is made a party, service of process shall be made upon the Attorney General.    (c)    A gas storage company may acquire by eminent domain the rights provided for in subsections (a) and (b) of this section in geological strata lying not less than 800 feet below the surface of land in Prince George’s County even though this land is already devoted to a public use under authority of law, if the exercise of these rights do not materially interfere with the public use.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  14-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 14 - Gas and Oil|Subtitle 2 - Prince George's County Underground Storage Act|Section 14-203 - Prerequisites to Exercise of Right of Eminent Domain; Underground Gas Storage Permit

    The right to take by eminent domain under § 14–202(a) and (b) of this subtitle, may not be exercised unless the gas storage company desiring the right first obtains an order from the Public Service Commission, made after a public hearing, finding the underground storage project to be in the public interest. The company also shall obtain an underground gas storage permit. A permit may not be issued without the consent of the Department.