reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 45.2-1633 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1633. (Effective October 1, 2021) Bonding and financial security required

A. To ensure compliance with all laws and regulations pertaining to permitted activities and the furnishing of reports and other information required by the Board or Director, each permit applicant shall give bond with surety acceptable to the Director and payable to the Commonwealth. At the election of the permit applicant, a cash bond may be given. The amount of the bond required shall be sufficient to cover the costs of properly plugging the well and restoring the site but in no case shall the amount of the bond be less than $10,000 per well plus $2,000 per acre of disturbed land, calculated to the nearest tenth of an acre. Each bond shall remain in force until released by the Director. The Director may require additional bond or financial security for any well proposed to be drilled in Tidewater Virginia.B. Upon receipt of an application for multiple permits for gas or oil operations and at the request of the permit applicant, the Director may, in lieu of requiring a separate bond for each permit, require a blanket bond. The amount of the blanket bond shall be as follows:1. For one to 10 wells, $25,000.2. For 11 to 50 wells, $50,000.3. For 51 to 200 wells, $100,000.4. For more than 200 wells, $200,000.For purposes of calculating blanket bond amounts, from one-tenth of an acre to five acres of disturbed land for a separately permitted gathering pipeline shall be equivalent to one well. The Director shall adopt regulations for the release of acreage used to calculate blanket bond amounts for separately permitted gathering pipelines in cases where sites have been stabilized.C. Any gas or oil operator who elects to post a blanket bond shall pay into the Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund those fees and assessments required under the provisions of § 45.2-1634.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.31; 2019, c. 351; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1634 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1634. (Effective October 1, 2021) Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." All payments made into the Fund by gas or oil operators, all collections of debt for expenditures made from the Fund, and all interest payments made into the Fund pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to the Fund. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller and any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director or his designee.B. Each permittee operating under a blanket bond pursuant to § 45.2-1633 shall annually pay to the Fund an amount equal to $50 multiplied by the number of permits he then holds, such payment to be submitted with the annual report required under § 45.2-1640, until the payments and interest accruing to the Fund totals $100,000. Whenever the Director determines that the Fund's balance has fallen below $25,000 due to uncollectible debts, the Director shall assess a fee of $50 per permit per year on each permittee with a blanket bond until the Fund's balance once again reaches $100,000.C. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purpose of supplementing bond proceeds in order to pay for the full cost of plugging and restoration in the event of a blanket bond forfeiture.D. The amount by which the cost of plugging and restoration exceeds the amount of the gas or oil operator's forfeited bond shall constitute a debt of the operator to the Commonwealth. The Director is authorized to collect such debts together with the costs of collection through appropriate legal action. All moneys collected pursuant to this subsection, less the costs of collection, shall be deposited in the Fund.E. No permit shall be issued to a gas or oil operator until he has fully reimbursed the Commonwealth for any debt incurred pursuant to the provisions of subsection D.F. In the event of a discontinuance of the Fund, any amounts remaining in the Fund shall be returned to each gas or oil operator with a blanket bond in proportion to the number of permits under the blanket bond of each operator.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.32; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1635 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1635. (Effective October 1, 2021) Expiration of permits

Each permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire 24 months from its date of issuance unless the permitted activity has commenced within that time period. An operator may renew an existing permit for an additional 24 months by submitting a written request containing the coal operator's approval and remitting a $325 renewal fee no later than the expiration date.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.33; 1996, c. 854; 2003, cc. 542, 550; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1636 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1636. (Effective October 1, 2021) Abandonment or cessation of well or corehole operation; plugging required

Upon the abandonment or cessation of the operation of any well or corehole, the gas, oil, or geophysical operator shall immediately fill and plug the well or corehole in the manner required by regulations in force at the time of abandonment or the operation's cessation.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.34; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1638 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1638. (Effective October 1, 2021) Appeals of Director's decisions to the Board

A. Any person with standing under the provisions of § 45.2-1632 who is aggrieved by a decision of the Director may appeal to the Board, subject to the limitations imposed by subsection B, by petition to the Board filed within 10 days following the appealed decision.B. No petition for appeal may raise any matter other than a matter that was raised by the Director or that the petitioner put in issue either by application or by an objection, proposal, or claim made and specified in writing at the informal fact-finding hearing held under § 45.2-1637 leading to the appealed decision.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-325; 1984, c. 590; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.36; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1639 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1639. (Effective October 1, 2021) Persons required to register; designated agents

A. Any person who owns a well, drills a well, completes well work, operates any well or gathering pipeline, conducts ground-disturbing geophysical explorations, or transports gas or oil up to and including the first point of sale shall register with the Director and shall provide his name and address and the name, address, and official title of the person in charge of his operations in the Commonwealth.B. Any person registering under subsection A shall designate the name and address of an agent who shall be the attorney-in-fact of the registrant for the purposes set forth in this section. The designated agent shall be a resident of the Commonwealth. Notices, orders, other communications, and all processes issued pursuant to this chapter may be served upon or otherwise delivered to the designated agent as and for the operator. Any designation of an agent shall remain in force until the Director is notified in writing of a designation termination and the designation of a new agent.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.37; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1640 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1640. (Effective October 1, 2021) Report of permitted activities and production required; contents

A. Each holder of a permit for a gas or oil well or gathering pipeline shall file monthly and annual reports of his activities as prescribed by the Director. Such reports shall be for the purpose of obtaining information regarding the production and sale of gas and oil resources, as well as information concerning the ownership and control of permitted activities. Filing of such reports by a permittee shall be a condition of such permit. Every annual report filed by a permittee shall contain a certification that such permittee has paid all severance taxes levied under the provisions of §§ 58.1-3712, 58.1-3713, and 58.1-3741.B. At the same time that a permittee files the monthly and annual reports as required by subsection A, the permittee shall send copies of the reports by mail to the commissioner of the revenue of the political subdivision where the permitted well is located.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.38; 1992, c. 361; 2013, cc. 305, 618; 2016, c. 305; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1641 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1641. (Effective October 1, 2021) Developing a gas or oil well as a water well

If any well drilled for gas or oil does not produce commercial or paying quantities of either resource, the well may be developed as a water well upon the request of the surface owner of the property on which the well is located. Any such development of a water well shall occur only after notice is given to the Director and his approval has been received. Such development of a water well shall be performed in accordance with applicable state and local requirements. Unless the gas or oil operator and surface owner otherwise agree, the surface owner shall pay the gas or oil operator a reasonable sum for all casing and tubing set and left in the well that would have otherwise been removed upon plugging of the well.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-350; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.39; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1642 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1642. (Effective October 1, 2021) Orphaned Well Fund; orphaned wells

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Orphaned Well Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." All moneys appropriated to it and any surcharges collected pursuant to subsection D shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys from the Fund shall be used solely for purposes of restoration and plugging of orphaned wells. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director or his designee.B. The Director shall conduct a survey to determine the condition and location of orphaned wells in the Commonwealth. He shall establish priorities for the plugging and restoration of the identified orphaned wells. The plugging and restoration of orphaned well sites that pose an imminent danger to public safety shall have the highest priority.C. In performing his duties under this section, the Director shall make every reasonable effort to identify and obtain the permission of a surface owner prior to entering onto the surface owner's land. In all cases, the Director shall as soon as practicable cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or city wherein an orphaned well is located a notice of the proposed plugging and restoration work to be conducted on the property.D. Each operator who applies for a new permit for any activity other than geophysical operations shall pay a $200 surcharge per permit into the Fund. Such surcharge shall continue until the Director determines that all orphaned wells in the Commonwealth are properly plugged and their sites are properly stabilized.E. In the event of a discontinuance of the Fund, any amounts remaining in the Fund shall be placed in the Gas and Oil Plugging Restoration Fund created pursuant to § 45.2-1634.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.40; 2017, c. 18; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1643 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1643. (Effective October 1, 2021) Interference by injection wells with groundwater supply

A. For purposes of this section:"Beneficial use" means the same as that term is defined in § 62.1-255."Groundwater" means the same as that term is defined in § 62.1-255.B. Any person who owns or operates an injection well in a manner that proximately causes the contamination or diminution of groundwater used for a beneficial use by any person who resides within the lesser of (i) the area of review required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the permitting of such injection well or (ii) a one-half-mile radius of the well shall provide the person with a replacement water supply. A replacement water supply shall provide the person with water of equivalent quality and quantity as was provided by groundwater prior to the contamination or diminution of the water supply resulting from the operation of the injection well. A replacement water supply shall include the provision of necessary storage and service facilities.C. This section shall apply to any injection well operating under a permit from the Director.1992, c. 324, § 45.1-361.41; 1993, c. 276; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1644 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1644. (Effective October 1, 2021) Safety in coalbed methane gas, oil, and geophysical operations

The Director shall inspect permitted coalbed methane well and related facility operations to ensure the safety of persons on permitted sites. If an inspection reveals any hazardous condition that creates an imminent danger, the Director shall issue a closure order pursuant to § 45.2-1629 requiring the area to be cleared or the equipment removed from use, except for (i) work necessary to continue to vent methane from an active underground mine if such work can be done safely and (ii) any work necessary to correct or eliminate the imminent danger. The Director shall lift the closure order when he finds that the imminent danger has been corrected or eliminated. If an inspection reveals any other condition that creates a risk to the safety or health of any person on the permitted site, the Director shall notify the Department of Labor and Industry for actions under Title 40.1, as applicable.1997, c. 421, § 45.1-361.42; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1645 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1645. (Effective October 1, 2021) Chesapeake Bay; drilling for gas or oil prohibited

Notwithstanding any other law, no person shall drill for gas or oil in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay or any of its tributaries. The provisions of this subsection shall be enforced consistent with the requirements of this chapter.1989, c. 325; § 62.1-195.1; 1990, c. 967; 1992, cc. 480, 887; 1993, c. 239; 1994, c. 957; 2012, cc. 785, 819; 2013, cc. 756, 793; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1647 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1647. (Effective October 1, 2021) Hydraulic fracturing; groundwater management area

No person shall conduct any hydraulic fracturing in any well that has been drilled through any portion of a groundwater management area declared by regulation prior to January 1, 2020, pursuant to the provisions of the Ground Water Management Act of 1992 (§ 62.1-254 et seq.). For purposes of this section, "hydraulic fracturing" means the treatment of a well by the application of hydraulic fracturing fluid, including a base fluid and any additive, under pressure for the express purpose of initiating or propagating fractures in a target geologic formation to enhance production of natural gas or oil.2020, c. 626; § 62.1-195.3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1648 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1648. (Effective October 1, 2021) Operator's right to sample water

An operator may enter upon surface land at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner to obtain samples of water from any water well that is (i) located within 1,320 feet of a proposed or existing gas well and (ii) actually being utilized by the surface owner or occupant for domestic use. If the surface owner or occupant refuses to allow the operator to sample or causes the operator to be prevented from sampling any such water well, the operator shall promptly notify the Department of such refusal or prevention. The Department shall maintain a record of such notifications. In the event of such a refusal or prevention, the surface owner shall not be entitled to the remedies set forth in § 45.2-1649.1998, c. 227, § 45.1-361.43; 2009, c. 293; 2017, c. 17; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1649 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1649. (Effective October 1, 2021) Replacement of water supply

If any water supply of a surface owner who obtains all or part of his supply of water for domestic use from a water well has been materially affected by contamination or partial or complete interruption proximately resulting from a gas well operation within 1,320 feet of the water well, the operator of such gas well shall promptly provide a replacement water supply that shall be capable of meeting the uses such water supply met prior to the contamination or partial or complete interruption.1998, c. 227, § 45.1-361.44; 2009, c. 293; 2017, c. 17; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1700 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 17 - Other Sources of Energy Generally; Energy Policy|§ 45.2-1700. (Effective October 1, 2021) Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Consortium" means the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium established pursuant to Article 5 (§ 45.2-1714 et seq.)."Division" means the Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the Department of Energy."Plan" means the Virginia Energy Plan prepared pursuant to Article 4 (§ 45.2-1700 et seq.).2006, c. 939, § 67-200; 2020, cc. 657, 658, 960; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 387, 532.
VA Code § 45.2-1701 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 17 - Other Sources of Energy Generally; Energy Policy|§ 45.2-1701. (Effective October 1, 2021) Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency established; powers and duties

A. The Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency is established in the Department. The Director has the immediate authority to coordinate the development and implementation of energy policy in the Commonwealth.B. The Division shall coordinate the energy-related activities of the various state agencies and advise the Governor on energy issues that arise at the local, state, and national levels. All state agencies and institutions shall cooperate fully with the Division to assist in the proper execution of the duties assigned by this section.C. In addition, the Division is authorized to make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties or the execution of its powers, including the implementation of energy information and conservation plans and programs.D. The Division shall:1. Consult with state agencies and institutions concerning energy-related activities or policies as needed for the proper execution of the duties assigned to the Division by this section;2. Serve as the Commonwealth's liaison with appropriate agencies of the federal government concerning the activities of the federal government related to energy production, consumption, and transportation and energy resource management in general;3. Provide services to encourage efforts by and among businesses in the Commonwealth, industries, utilities, academic institutions, state and local governments, and private institutions to develop energy resources and energy conservation programs;4. In consultation with the State Corporation Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, prepare the Virginia Energy Plan pursuant to § 45.2-1710; and5. Observe the energy-related activities of state agencies and advise such agencies in order to encourage conformity with established energy policy.1984, c. 590, § 45.1-390; 2006, c. 939; 2016, c. 518; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 387, 532.
VA Code § 45.2-1704 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 17 - Other Sources of Energy Generally; Energy Policy|§ 45.2-1704. (Effective October 1, 2021) Application of article

The provisions of this article shall not apply to any new construction project undertaken by a public body.2001, c. 219, § 11-34.4; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1705 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 17 - Other Sources of Energy Generally; Energy Policy|§ 45.2-1705. (Effective October 1, 2021) Legislative findings

The General Assembly hereby finds that:1. Energy is essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the Commonwealth and to the Commonwealth's economy;2. The government of the Commonwealth should facilitate the availability and delivery of reliable and adequate supplies of energy to industrial, commercial, and residential users at reasonable costs so that such users and the Commonwealth's economy are able to be productive;3. The Commonwealth would benefit from articulating clear objectives pertaining to energy issues, adopting an energy policy that advances such objectives, and establishing a procedure for measuring the implementation of such policy;4. Climate change is an urgent and pressing challenge for the Commonwealth. Swift decarbonization and a transition to clean energy are required to meet the urgency of the challenge; and5. The Commonwealth will benefit from being a leader in deploying a low-carbon energy economy.2006, c. 939, § 67-100; 2020, cc. 1191, 1192; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.