reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:592. Necessity for regulation

RS 30:592 - Necessity for regulation
A. It is declared that the business of selling intrastate natural gas is affected with a public interest, and that state regulation in matters relating to the sale of intrastate natural gas is necessary in the public interest to conserve the natural resources of the state and prevent the physical and economic waste, wasteful use and wasteful utilization thereof. It is further declared that the sale of intrastate natural gas at a price below the fair market value of such gas, especially as compared to the price of other fuels, is one of the primary causes of the present energy crisis in the state in that it has caused and is causing the physical and economic waste, wasteful use and wasteful utilization of intrastate natural gas.
B. The provisions of this Part shall only apply to contracts for the sale of intrastate natural gas executed and completed after December 8, 1973, except that in no case shall the provisions of this Part apply to the sale of intrastate natural gas at the wellhead.
C. If a contract for the sale of intrastate natural gas existing on December 8, 1973, is thereafter amended in any respect, such amendment or amendments shall not subject such contracts to the provisions of this Part to any greater extent than if such contracts had not been amended subsequent to December 8, 1973, unless the effect of such amendment or amendments is to increase the volume of intrastate natural gas to be delivered to the purchaser under such contract. If any such amendment has the effect of increasing the volume of intrastate natural gas to be delivered to the purchaser under the contract, the provisions of this Part shall not apply until the volume of gas contracted for as of December 8, 1973, has been delivered but the provisions of this Part shall apply to the amount by which the volume of gas is increased over that volume.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 637, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:593. Sales direct to industrial users

RS 30:593 - Sales direct to industrial users
The commissioner shall have the power and authority to supervise, govern, regulate and control minimum sales prices of intrastate natural gas direct to industrial users whether for fuel, or for utilization in any manufacturing process or otherwise.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:594. Public utilities

RS 30:594 - Public utilities
The provisions of this Part shall apply to purchase prices of intrastate natural gas in purchases by privately or publicly owned public utilities. The provisions of this Part shall apply to sale prices of intrastate natural gas in sales by privately or publicly owned public utilities direct to industrial users, but shall not apply to sales of such gas by such utilities to other users.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:595. Exemption

RS 30:595 - Exemption
The provisions of this Part shall not apply to any contract agreement or understanding that involves or affects less than one billion cubic feet of natural gas to be produced, transported, delivered or sold within a twelve month period; provided, that for good cause shown the commissioner may, if he considers it necessary to the accomplishment of the purposes of this Chapter, decrease the amount of gas which may be produced, transported, delivered or sold under this exemption; and, further provided that no such contract shall be exempt from the filing provisions of this Part.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:596. Waiver of requirements

RS 30:596 - Waiver of requirements
The commissioner may waive any requirement of this Part when upon reasonable cause shown he finds that the application of enforcement thereof will work an undue hardship on the person affected or will seriously impede the efficiency of his administration of this Part, and that the application or enforcement thereof is not necessary to the accomplishment of the purposes of this Chapter.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:597. Notice filing

RS 30:597 - Notice filing
Any provision of this Part to the contrary notwithstanding, as to any contract, agreement or understanding or proposed contract, agreement or understanding affecting the purchase or sale of natural gas, the parties thereto may furnish the commissioner with notice thereof, in a form and under conditions to be established by the commissioner, and unless the commissioner gives notice to the contrary to the parties thereto, within fifteen days after the receipt of such notice, the same shall be deemed to have been accepted by the commissioner without objection and to be in compliance with the provisions of this Part. If, however, the commissioner deems it advisable to consider the proposal further, the commissioner shall notify the parties accordingly and the matter shall thereafter be processed by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this Part.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:599. Fixing prices

RS 30:599 - Fixing prices
Whenever the commissioner, after a hearing had upon his own motion or upon complaint of any party to a contract, shall find that any price demanded, charged, or collected thereunder by any natural gas company in connection with any sale of intrastate natural gas is below the just and reasonable minimum price determined by the commissioner, considering the fair market value of intrastate natural gas of like kind, quality and character, to be necessary to prevent the physical and economic waste, wasteful use and wasteful utilization thereof, or that any rule, regulation, practice or contract affecting such price is unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or preferential, or is otherwise contrary to the purposes of this Chapter, the commissioner shall determine the just and reasonable minimum price, rule, regulation, practice or contract which will effectuate the purposes of this Chapter, to be thereafter observed and in force, and shall fix the same by order. The commissioner shall have the power to order an increase in any price contained in the currently effective schedule of such natural gas company on file with the commissioner, but shall not have the power to decrease such price. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part or any other law to the contrary, the commissioner shall have no authority to fix the minimum sales prices of intrastate natural gas on a statewide basis, but, rather, shall fix said prices on either a contract by contract basis or on a field by field basis in any instance at the discretion of the commissioner.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:600. Periodic and special reports

RS 30:600 - Periodic and special reports
A. Every natural gas company shall file with the commissioner such annual and other periodic or special reports as the commissioner may by rules and regulations or order prescribe as necessary or appropriate to assist the commissioner in the proper administration of this Part. The commissioner may prescribe the manner and form in which such reports shall be made.
B. It shall be unlawful for any natural gas company willfully to hinder, delay, or obstruct the making, filing, or keeping of any information, document, report, memorandum, record, or account required to be made, filed, or kept under this Part or any rule, regulation, or order hereunder.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:601. Services, records, information from other agencies

RS 30:601 - Services, records, information from other agencies
In carrying out the purposes of this Part, the commissioner shall, so far as practicable, avail himself of the services, records, reports, and information of the executive departments and other agencies of the government, and the governor may, from time to time, direct that such services and facilities be made available to the commissioner.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:602. Complaints

RS 30:602 - Complaints
Any party to a contract of sale complaining of anything done or omitted to be done by any natural gas company in contravention of the provisions of this Part may apply to the commissioner by petition, which shall briefly state the facts, whereupon a statement of the complaint thus made shall be forwarded by the commissioner to such natural gas company, which shall be called upon to satisfy the complaint or to answer the same in writing within a reasonable time to be specified by the commissioner.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:604. Hearings; rules of procedure

RS 30:604 - Hearings; rules of procedure
A. Hearings under this Part may be held before the commissioner, or any officer or employee of the State Department of Conservation designated by him, and appropriate records thereof shall be kept.
B. All hearings, investigations, and proceedings under this Part shall be governed by rules of practice and procedure to be adopted by the commissioner, and in the conduct thereof the technical rules of evidence need not be applied. No informality in any hearing, investigation, or proceeding or in the manner of taking testimony shall invalidate any order, decision, rule or regulation issued under the authority of this Part.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:605. Administrative powers of commissioner; rules, regulations, and orders

RS 30:605 - Administrative powers of commissioner; rules, regulations, and orders
The commissioner shall have power to perform any and all acts, and to prescribe, issue, make, amend and rescind such orders, rules and regulations as he may find necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Part. Among other things, such rules and regulations may define accounting, technical, and trade terms used in this Part; and may prescribe the form or forms of all statements, declarations, applications, and reports to be filed with the commissioner, the information which they shall contain, and the time within which they shall be filed. Unless a different date is specified therein, rules and regulations of the commissioner shall be effective thirty days after publication in the manner which the commissioner shall prescribe. Orders of the commissioner shall be effective on the date and in the manner which the commissioner shall prescribe. For the purposes of its rules and regulations, the commissioner may classify persons and matters within his jurisdiction and prescribe different requirements for different classes of persons or matters. All rules and regulations of the commissioner shall be filed at the office of the commissioner and shall be kept open in convenient form for public inspection and examination during reasonable business hours.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:681.1. Legislative findings

RS 30:681.1 - Legislative findings
The Legislature of Louisiana hereby finds that:
(1) The state of Louisiana and the nation are rapidly depleting their reserves of oil and natural gas upon which the United States as a whole is heavily dependent for its energy requirements.
(2) States and the federal government are beginning to study the feasibility of alternative energy supplies to supplement the declining oil and gas reserves.
(3) Preliminary studies by professional staffs at Louisiana universities and by private firms within the state indicate that Louisiana may have within its borders uniquely large reservoirs of superheated, highly pressurized water which may also be saturated with natural gas in solution.
(4) These reservoirs can be a potential source of commercial quantities of energy in the form of steam, hot water, and natural gas.
(5) Professional staffs at Louisiana State University have obtained a small grant from the federal Energy Research and Development Administration to begin studies to determine the location of commercial size reservoirs by utilizing the services of state geologists in the State Department of Conservation to examine and chart the massive numbers of well logs available.
(6) Parallel research efforts should be instituted simultaneously with the above mentioned study to tap known reservoirs to determine pressures, temperatures, and extent of gas saturation as well as numerous other scientific experiments necessary to provide an adequate basis from which to draw conclusions.
(7) Additionally, this potential energy resource opens a new area of legal consequences which must be examined and a determination made of the ramifications and effects of the development of this resource on private and public rights.
(8) By Act 16 of the 1973 Extraordinary Session,1 the Louisiana Legislature created the Louisiana Energy Commission and included in its duties the authorization to undertake or contract for studies and research regarding alternate fuel resources for the state; that the commissioner of conservation, by Act 16, is authorized to prepare all necessary studies on the sources of energy available to Louisiana and to conduct appropriate research in connection therewith; and that the State Department of Conservation is staffed and administratively capable of exercising this authority.
(9) This Act is intended to provide the framework and guidelines for the state, through the State Department of Conservation, to begin a concerted effort to exploit this potential geothermal and geopressure energy resource.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 735, §1.
1R.S. 30:681.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:681.2. Definitions

RS 30:681.2 - Definitions
For the purpose of this Subpart:
(1) "Geothermal resources" means:
(a) all products of geothermal processes, embracing indigenous steam, hot water, and hot brines;
(b) steam and other gases, hot water, and hot brines resulting from water, gas, or other fluids artificially introduced into geothermal formations;
(c) heat, dissolved natural gas, or other associated energy found in geothermal formations; and
(d) any byproduct derived from them.
(2) the term "department" means the State Department of Conservation of the state of Louisiana; and
(3) the term "commissioner" means the commissioner of conservation.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 735, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:681.3. State Department of Conservation; powers, duties

RS 30:681.3 - State Department of Conservation; powers, duties
A. The State Department of Conservation shall be responsible for the effective management and coordination of a state geothermal and geopressure energy research and development program.
B. Such program shall include:
(1) the determination and evaluation of the resource base;
(2) research and development with respect to exploration, extraction, and utilization technologies, which shall include research toward development of reliable predictive methods and control techniques for the production of geothermal and geopressure resources from reservoirs or aquifers;
(3) determination of the environmental ramifications of the production of this energy resource; and
(4) examination of the legal, social, and economic consequences of development of this resource for the purpose of developing policy and providing a framework of policy alternatives for the commercial utilization of this resource.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 735, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:681.4. Participation by state, federal and private agencies; funds

RS 30:681.4 - Participation by state, federal and private agencies; funds
A. The department is authorized to utilize the expertise, knowledge, equipment, and personnel available from other state agencies, from the federal government, or from the private sector in carrying out its responsibilities under this Subpart, either from a voluntary standpoint or under contract from funds made available therefor, and to that extent the commissioner is authorized to enter into contracts for services to be provided in connection with the goals of this program.
B. In addition to funds made available by the legislature the department is authorized to accept gifts, grants, and donations from whatever source available.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 735, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:681.5. Reports to legislature

RS 30:681.5 - Reports to legislature
The department shall maintain accurate records of the progress of this program and shall make annual reports to the governor and the Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources as to such progress, discoveries, and needed legislation.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 735, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:691. Liquefied petroleum gas; defined

RS 30:691 - Liquefied petroleum gas; defined
"Intrastate liquefied petroleum gas" is defined as those gases derived from petroleum or natural gas which are in a gaseous state at normal temperature and pressure and those maintained in the liquid state at normal atmospheric temperature by means of suitable pressure, exclusive of anhydrous ammonia, when such gas is produced, transported and utilized wholly within the state of Louisiana where the transportation thereof is exempt from federal regulation.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:692. Application of Chapter

RS 30:692 - Application of Chapter
Except as may otherwise specifically be provided in the constitution of this state, the provisions of this Chapter, including the powers, duties and functions of the commissioner and the Louisiana Energy Commission, shall apply to intrastate liquefied petroleum gas.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:702. Definitions

RS 30:702 - Definitions
As used in this Part, the following words and phrases have the meanings hereinafter ascribed to them:
(1) "Assistant secretary" means the assistant secretary of the office of conservation of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources.
(2) "Hazardous liquid" means:
(a) Petroleum or any petroleum product, except as specifically excluded in this Paragraph, and
(b) Any substance or material which is in liquid state, excluding liquefied natural gas and hydro-carbons incidental thereto, when transported by pipeline facilities and which, as determined by the assistant secretary by rule or regulation in accordance with R.S. 49:950 et seq., may pose an unreasonable risk to life or property when transported by pipeline facilities.
(3) "Intrastate pipeline facility" means pipeline facilities situated wholly within the boundaries of this state and which are used in the transportation of hazardous liquids in intrastate commerce.
(4) "Person" means any individual, firm, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association, any political subdivision of this state, municipality, cooperative association, or joint stock association, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or personal representative thereof.
(5) "Pipeline facility" means and shall include, without limitation, new and existing pipe, right of way, and any equipment, facility, or building used or intended for use in the transportation of hazardous liquids; but, rights of way as used in this Chapter does not authorize the assistant secretary to prescribe the location or the routing of any pipeline facility.
(6) "Transportation of hazardous liquids" means the movement of hazardous liquids by pipeline, or their storage incidental to such movement, in or affecting intrastate commerce; however, it shall not include any such movement through gathering lines in rural locations, onshore production, refining, or manufacturing facilities, or storage or in-plant piping systems associated with any of such facilities.
Acts 1987, No. 794, §1; Acts 2023, No. 150, §5, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:703. Regulatory designation

RS 30:703 - Regulatory designation
A. The assistant secretary shall be the authority to regulate persons engaged in the transportation of hazardous liquids or who own or operate intrastate pipeline facilities for the transportation of hazardous liquids. The assistant secretary shall establish by regulation minimum safety standards for pipeline facilities and the transportation of hazardous liquids and shall be consistent with those rules and regulations authorized by 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq.
B. The assistant secretary, as permitted by 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq., may certify annually to the secretary of the United States Department of Transportation that the state, through the office of conservation, has regulatory jurisdiction over the safety standards and practice of intrastate pipeline facilities and the transportation of hazardous liquids associated with those facilities. The assistant secretary, as permitted by 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq., may enter into an agency relationship with the United States Department of Transportation to enforce compliance with safety standards with respect to interstate pipeline facilities or the transportation of hazardous liquids associated with those facilities.
Acts 1987, No. 794, §1; Acts 2015, No. 332, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:704. Administration and enforcement

RS 30:704 - Administration and enforcement
A. Except as otherwise provided in this Part, the provisions of R.S. 30:6, 30:8, 30:13, 30:15 and 30:21 shall apply to the administration and enforcement of this Part.
B. The assistant secretary may employ such officers, agents, employees, and professional personnel, including legal counsel, as he deems necessary for the performance of his powers and duties and prescribe the powers and duties and fix the compensation of such officers, employees, and professional personnel.
C. The legal counsel employed or retained by the assistant secretary, when authorized by the assistant secretary, shall be entitled to represent the state and the assistant secretary and to appear in the courts and before agencies of this state, the United States, and other states in order to carry out the purposes of this Part.
D. Whenever it appears to the assistant secretary that any person has engaged, is engaged, or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of this Part or of any regulation, rule, or order issued hereunder, the assistant secretary may bring an action in the court having jurisdiction, to enjoin such acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this Part or any rule, regulation, or order issued thereunder. Upon a proper showing a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction shall be granted without bond. The relief sought may include a mandatory injunction commanding any person to comply with this Part or any such regulation, rule, or order issued hereunder, and to make restitution of money received in violation of any such regulation, rule, or order. The assistant secretary may transmit such evidence as may be available concerning such acts or practice or concerning apparent violations to the district attorney having jurisdiction over same who, in his discretion, may institute appropriate criminal proceedings.
E. Upon application by any person engaged in the transportation of hazardous liquids or the operation of intrastate pipeline facilities, the assistant secretary shall, by order, after notice and opportunity for hearing and under such terms and conditions and to such extent as the assistant secretary may deem reasonable and proper, waive in whole or in part compliance with any standard established under this Part, if he determines that compliance with such standard works a substantial hardship on an owner or operator of pipeline facilities or is not in the public interest and a waiver of compliance with such standard is not inconsistent with pipeline safety, provided that such waiver shall not be effective until the requirements of 49 U.S.C.A. Section 2001 et seq. relative to such a waiver have first been satisfied.
Acts 1987, No. 794, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:705. Violation; penalties, civil and criminal

RS 30:705 - Violation; penalties, civil and criminal
A.(1) Any person who shall be determined by the assistant secretary, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, to have violated any provision of this Part or any final rule, final regulation promulgated or order issued under this Part shall be liable to the office of conservation for a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars for each violation for each day that the violation persists except that the maximum civil penalty shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars for any related series of violations.
(2) The amount of the penalty shall be assessed by the assistant secretary by written notice.
(3) In determining the amount of the penalty, the assistant secretary shall consider the nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation; and, with respect to the person found to have committed the violation, the degree of culpability, any history of prior violations, the effect on ability to continue to do business, any good faith in attempting to achieve compliance, ability to pay the penalty, and such other matters as justice may require.
B. The legal counsel employed or retained by the assistant secretary may recover the assessed civil penalty by bringing action against the person so assessed in the court having jurisdiction. The assistant secretary may compromise the civil penalty.
C. Any person who willfully and knowingly violates this Part or any rule, regulation, or order issued under this Part shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor; and, upon conviction, shall be subject for each offense to a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
Acts 1987, No. 794, §1; Acts 1990, No. 599, §1, eff. July 19, 1990.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:706. Fees

RS 30:706 - Fees
In order to implement this Part, every person engaged in the transportation of hazardous liquids or who owns or operates intrastate pipeline facilities for the transportation of hazardous liquids shall be assessed an annual fee which shall not exceed forty-four dollars and eighty cents for each mile or fraction thereof of pipeline operated or eight hundred dollars per pipeline facility, whichever is greater. The commissioner shall annually review the fee amount and may revise it not to exceed forty-four dollars and eighty cents per mile in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. All fees collected by the commissioner shall be reasonably related to the services provided and shall be used by the office of conservation solely for the purposes of that program.
Acts 1987, No. 794, §1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 86, §1; Acts 2003, No. 711, §1, eff. June 27, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 222, §1; Acts 2016, No. 435, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:707. Collection of fees

RS 30:707 - Collection of fees
A. The annual fees imposed by R.S. 30:706 shall be paid to the office of conservation no later than January fifteenth of each year on forms to be prescribed by the commissioner of conservation. If any person fails to pay the fees imposed by this Part, the commissioner of conservation may proceed to enforce the collection thereof by utilizing the remedies and procedures set forth in Chapter 1 of this Title, specifically including any authority to obtain and audit information and authority to impose interest and penalties.
B. All money received or collected by the commissioner of conservation under R.S. 30:706 and this Section shall be deposited immediately upon receipt in the state treasury and shall be credited to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Dedicated Fund Account.
Acts 1987, No. 794, §1; Acts 1992, No. 984, §9; Acts 1997, No. 658, §2; Acts 2003, No. 711, §1, eff. June 27, 2003; Acts 2021, No. 114, §18, eff. July 1, 2022.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:721. Definitions

RS 30:721 - Definitions
"Coal or lignite slurry transportation" is defined as the transportation through a pipeline in the state of Louisiana of coal, lignite or any mixture of substances which includes coal or lignite, in any form.
Added by Acts 1977, No. 561, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:722. Application

RS 30:722 - Application
A. Except as may otherwise be specifically provided by the constitution of this state, the provisions of Parts I, II and III of this Chapter, including the powers, duties and functions of the assistant secretary, shall apply to coal or lignite slurry transportation.
B. The assistant secretary shall promulgate regulations governing the licensing and operation of slurry pipelines in this state and shall implement procedures necessary for the orderly and efficient administration of this Part, including assessment of reasonable fees to cover the costs of administration.
Added by Acts 1977, No. 561, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:724. Number of pipelines

RS 30:724 - Number of pipelines
Unless otherwise specified in the original right of way agreement, only one pipeline shall be located on the right of way. Additional pipelines may be located thereon only with the written permission of the landowner.
Added by Acts 1977, No. 561, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:731. Definitions

RS 30:731 - Definitions
As used in this Part, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings hereinafter ascribed to them:
(1) "Assistant secretary" means the assistant secretary of the office of conservation of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources.
(2) "Compressed natural gas" means natural gas designated for vehicular use that is under pressures exceeding twenty-four hundred pounds per square inch.
(3) "Compression and conversion equipment" means all equipment used in the compression, storage, transmission, and decompression of natural gas for the purpose of powering motor vehicles.
Acts 1990, No. 927, §1; Acts 2023, No. 150, §5, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.
{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1990, NO. 927, §3.}}
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:732. Regulation of compressed natural gas

RS 30:732 - Regulation of compressed natural gas
The assistant secretary shall have the authority to regulate all activities related to the safety of compressed natural gas and shall establish by regulation minimum safety standards for compressed natural gas compression and conversion equipment including the installation and operation of such equipment. For vehicles equipped for and capable of using liquefied petroleum gas, each vehicle shall first be inspected for safety of operation by an inspector of the Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission.
Acts 1990, No. 927, §1.
{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1990, NO. 927, §3.}}
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:800. Policy

RS 30:800 - Policy
It is declared to be the policy of Louisiana that:
(1) The rapid and orderly development of geothermal resources within the state of Louisiana is in the interest of the people of the state of Louisiana;
(2) In developing the state's geothermal resources, the primary purpose is to provide a dependable supply of electrical energy and process heat at reasonable rates for the people of the state of Louisiana;
(3) Maximum possible consideration shall be afforded to protection of the environment and to conservation of natural resources by all agencies and officials of the state of Louisiana involved in prescribing rules and regulations governing the development, production and distribution of geothermal energy in Louisiana.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:801. Definitions

RS 30:801 - Definitions
(1) "Geothermal resources" means:
(a) All products of geothermal processes, including both "hydropressured" reservoirs (normal or below normal pressure) and "geopressured" reservoirs (above normal), embracing indigenous steam, hot water, hot brines and hydropressured or geopressured waters or both excepting, however, waters produced incidental to oil or gas exploration or production, and potable water produced from residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other wells where the heat pressure, or dissolved natural gas, or any combination thereof, are not extracted or used for energy purposes.
(b) Steam and other gasses, hot water, and hot brines resulting from water, gas or other fluids artificially introduced into geothermal, hydropressured or geopressured water formations, or any combination thereof.
(c) Heat, natural gas dissolved in formation water or which was dissolved in formation water and is produced at the geothermal, hydropressured or geopressured well bore, or any combination thereof, or other associated energy found in geothermal, hydropressured or geopressured water formations, or any combination thereof.
(d) Any by-product derived therefrom.
(2) "By-product" means any mineral or minerals, excluding oil and natural gas, which are found in solution or in association with a geothermal resource and which (a) have a value less than seventy-five percent of the value of the total geothermal resource, if utilized or not, because of quantity, quality, or technical difficulties in extraction and production or (b) are not of sufficient value to warrant extraction and production by themselves or (c) the production of which will waste the geothermal resource.
(3) "Geothermal lease" is a contract by which the lessee is granted the right for exploration, drilling, development, production and distribution of geothermal resources and byproducts.
(4) "Geothermal operation" includes the exploration for, drilling for, development of, production of and distribution of geothermal resources as defined in this Chapter.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1; Acts 1980, No. 742, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:802. Regulation of exploration, drilling, production and subsurface disposal

RS 30:802 - Regulation of exploration, drilling, production and subsurface disposal
Full regulatory authority over all geothermal exploration, drilling, development, and production as well as subsurface disposal of geothermal waters and/or waste is hereby vested in the state Department of Conservation. The provisions of the Louisiana Conservation Act R.S. 30:1, et seq., including particularly, but without limitation, R.S. 30:5 and R.S. 30:9 thereof, are hereby extended to all geothermal operations. The commissioner of conservation is further authorized to promulgate such additional rules and regulations relating specifically to geothermal operations that are deemed by him to be needed in the interest of conservation if they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter. All geothermal operations shall be exempt from the provisions of R.S. 38:3091 et seq.
Any disposal of any kind or nature made pursuant to this Chapter into any navigable or nonnavigable streams or waters shall be done under the supervision of the Stream Control Commission of the state.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:803. Conservation and environmental protection

RS 30:803 - Conservation and environmental protection
In all cases, a lessee under a geothermal lease or an owner shall conduct his exploration, drilling, development, production operations and disposal methods using all reasonable precautions to protect the environment and to prevent pollution of state waters, other environmental damages, or waste of geothermal resources.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:804. Jurisdiction over state geothermal resources and products

RS 30:804 - Jurisdiction over state geothermal resources and products
The State Mineral and Energy Board is hereby vested with exclusive authority to lease for the exploration, development, production and distribution of geothermal resources and the byproducts thereof any lands belonging to the state, or the title to which is in the public domain, including road beds, water bottoms, and lands adjudicated to the state at tax sale. To the extent applicable, the mineral board is also vested with the same powers of supervision and management of all geothermal leases granted by the state that are vested in the board under R.S. 30:129 with respect to leases granted for minerals, oil, and gas.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1; Acts 2009, No. 196, §2, eff. July 1, 2009.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:805. Leasing procedures

RS 30:805 - Leasing procedures
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, applications for state geothermal leases, the inspection of the lands, the quantity of land to be obtained in a single lease, the advertisement for bids, the bidding procedures and the board's authority to accept or reject bids all shall be governed by the provisions of R.S. 30:125 through R.S. 30:129 both inclusive.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:806. Terms; rentals; royalties

RS 30:806 - Terms; rentals; royalties
A. All state geothermal leases shall be granted for a maximum primary term of ten years and so long thereafter as geothermal operations are being conducted or geothermal resources are being produced or utilized in commercial quantities.
B. Where a state geothermal lease provides for delay rentals, the annual rental shall be for not less than one dollar per acre or one-half the cash bonus, whichever is greater.
C. Royalties on production obtained from a state geothermal lease shall be not less than the following:
(1) A royalty of not less than ten percent of the price received for all geothermal resources produced and saved or utilized.
(2) A royalty of not less than five percent of the value of any byproduct produced and saved or utilized.
D. The term rental or royalty obtained by the state from a geothermal lease shall not affect or limit the compensation negotiated by the owners of adjoining or nearby property which may be affected or exploited by the lessee.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:807. Regulations of board

RS 30:807 - Regulations of board
The mineral board is hereby authorized to incorporate such additional customary provisions in a state geothermal lease and to adopt such additional regulations governing the administration and management of such leases that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:808. Records; execution of documents; disposition and appropriation of funds

RS 30:808 - Records; execution of documents; disposition and appropriation of funds
A. The maintenance of records, the execution of division orders and other documents and the handling and distribution of all bonuses, rentals, royalties, shut-in payments or other sums payable to the state under a geothermal lease shall be handled as provided for in R.S. 30:130 as now enacted or hereafter amended.
B. The allocations of all proceeds described in Subsection A of this Section shall be made as provided for in R.S. 30:136(B) as now enacted, or hereafter amended, and to the extent necessary, all remaining funds, after making appropriate deductions, are hereby dedicated and allocated in the same manner as provided by existing law for the dedication and allocation of oil and gas revenues.
Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:809. Preservation of rights

RS 30:809 - Preservation of rights
A. The respective rights of the lessees under oil, gas, and mineral leases and of the lessees under geothermal leases are intended to be compatible and to be exercised reasonably by one with due regard to the other. However, in the event of conflict, the rights of the lessee under any oil, gas, or mineral lease heretofore issued on lands as set forth in Section 804 hereof and in effect on September 12, 1975, shall not be diminished or limited by virtue of this Chapter or any provisions hereof.
B. With respect to those leases executed on and after January 1, 1991, the rights of the lessee under any oil, gas, or mineral lease shall govern the production of any oil, gas, or mineral which may be considered a geothermal resource; and, unless specifically excluded in the lease, the lessee shall not be required to obtain a geothermal lease.
C. The provisions of this Chapter are not intended and should not be construed to deny the legal right or remedy of any owner for the protection of his property interests that is otherwise available to such owner under the law.
Acts 1990, No. 684, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality › §30:902. Declaration of policy

RS 30:902 - Declaration of policy
The legislature finds and declares that:
A. The extraction of lignite and other forms of coal by surface mining operations is a basic and essential activity making an important contribution to the economic wellbeing of the state and nation.
B. Proper reclamation of surface mined lands is necessary to prevent unreasonable degradation of land and water resources that would be detrimental to the general welfare, health, safety, and property rights of the citizens of this state.
C. Surface mining takes place in diverse areas where the geologic, topographic, climatic, biological, and social conditions are significantly different and that reclamation operations and the specifications therefor must vary accordingly.
D. Regulation of surface mining is in the public interest and will benefit the public health, safety, welfare and economy of the state of Louisiana and will prevent the destruction or diminishing of the utility of land for commercial, industrial, residential, recreational, agricultural, and forestry purposes by preventing unreasonable erosion, landslides, floods, water pollution, destruction of fish and wildlife habitat and impairment of natural beauty, and will benefit governmental programs and efforts to conserve soil, water, and other natural resources.
E. Reclamation of surface mined land as provided by this Act will allow the mining of valuable lignite and other forms of coal in a manner designed for the protection and subsequent beneficial use of these lands.
F. The Congress of the United States has enacted Public Law 95-87,1 the "Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977", which provides for the establishment of a nationwide program to regulate surface coal mining and reclamation and which vests exclusive authority in the Department of the Interior over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation within the United States.
G. Section 503 of Public Law 95-872 provides that each state may assume and retain exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations within such state by obtaining approval of a state program of regulation which demonstrates that the state has the capability of carrying out the provisions and meeting the purposes of Public Law 95-87.
H. Section 503 of Public Law 95-87 further provides that a state wishing to assume exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations within the state must have a state law which provides for the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in accordance with the requirements of Public Law 95-87.
I. The State of Louisiana, to accomplish the purposes for which the Louisiana Surface Mining and Reclamation Act was adopted, wishes to assume exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations within the state pursuant to Public Law 95-87.
Added by Acts 1976, No. 141, §1. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 406, §1.
130 U.S.C.A. §1201 et seq.
230 U.S.C.A. §1253.