reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 2 - Prince George's County Underground Storage Act › Section 14-204 - Rights of Landowners

(a)    In any eminent domain proceedings under § 14–202(a) and (b) of this subtitle, the owner of the land shall be compensated for the right to utilize geological strata being taken by eminent domain for the underground storage of gas, and for any commercially recoverable oil or gas not owned by the gas storage company in the strata.
(b)    In any eminent domain proceedings under § 14–202(a) of this subtitle, the owner or owners in fee of the land have the right by unanimous election in their answer to have the jury make, after evidence is presented, alternate inquisitions assessing the fair value of the underground storage rights, and the fair value of the fee–simple ownership, including all improvements. On the tenth day following the date of the verdicts, the court shall enter a judgment of condemnation on the inquisition for the fair value of the underground storage rights, unless on or before the tenth day every owner shall join in an irrevocable election, filed in writing in the case, to have a judgment of condemnation entered on the inquisition for the fee–simple title to the property including all improvements, in which case the court shall enter a judgment of condemnation for the fee–simple title to the property. Unless all persons having an interest in the fee–simple title join in the election provided for, the court shall enter judgment of condemnation on the inquisition for the underground storage rights. In the event the property owner elects to have a judgment of condemnation entered on the inquisition for the fee–simple title to the property, he shall be entitled to defer final settlement for a period of time not exceeding six months from the date of the election. However, nothing in this subtitle shall prevent the gas storage company from utilizing underground storage rights during this time, subsequent to the inquisition. The property owner has the duty, during the period prior to final settlement, to maintain the property in reasonable condition, normal wear and tear excepted.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 2 - Prince George's County Underground Storage Act › Section 14-205 - Right of Gas Storage Companies to Use Strata Subject to Landowner's Right to Penetrate

The right to utilize geological strata for the underground storage of gas, acquired by any gas storage company by eminent domain under § 14–202(a) and (b) of this subtitle, is subject to the right of the owner of the land or of other rights or interests, to penetrate the strata for the purpose of exploring or recovering gas not owned by the company or water, oil, or other minerals from other strata. If the owner desires to penetrate the underground gas storage reservoir in order to recover the gas, water, oil, or other minerals from a lower stratum, he may do so provided he gives the company sufficient written notice to permit proper precautions to be taken. The company, after receiving notice, at its expense and responsibility, shall supervise the penetration to assure that it is made in a manner which will not hamper or impair the operation of the underground storage reservoir, result in the pollution of gas stored there, or permit the escape of any gas.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 2 - Prince George's County Underground Storage Act › Section 14-206 - Property Rights in Gas Injected Into Underground Storage; Capture of Such Gas in Other Counties

Gas injected into underground storage in Prince George’s County which remains under the surface of land in the county, unless and until it is disposed of with the consent of the gas storage company, shall remain the personal property of the company. It is not subject to production, taking, reduction to possession, waste, or interference by the owner of the surface of the land or by any other person except the company or its authorized agents. Gas injected into underground storage in Prince George’s County and which is found under the surface of any land in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties other than in gas mains is subject to the property rights of the captor of the gas or the owner of the land, in all respects as though the gas occurred there naturally. In such a case, the owner of the land may alternatively elect to proceed against the gas storage company for his damages.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 2 - Prince George's County Underground Storage Act › Section 14-207 - Underground Storage Use Fee

For the privilege of using geological strata beneath the surface of the earth in Prince George’s County or underground storage of gas in volumes greater than the minimum volume specified, a gas storage company shall pay the county an annual underground storage use fee. The fee applies annually to all gas in storage, except the specified minimum volume, on the last day of each calendar year. It is computed at the following annual rates on the commodity charge paid for the gas by the gas storage company, as evidenced by the tariff under which the gas was purchased:
Rate                 Cubic feet of gas in storage
No fee              On the first 5 billion
2 percent             On all over 5 billion but not over 10 billion
4 percent             On all over 10 billion but not over 15 billion
6 percent             On all over 15 billion but not over 20 billion
8 percent             On all over 20 billion but not over 25 billion
10 percent             On all over 25 billion.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 3 - Storage of Natural or Artificial Gas and Petroleum Products in Prince George's County › Section 14-303 - Rules and Regulations; Protection of Waters

The Department shall prescribe rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this subtitle, and any permit to drill, bore, drive, dig, or otherwise conduct any operation for the storage of natural or artificial gas or petroleum products and their derivatives may contain the restrictions the Department determines necessary in the public interest to protect the waters of the State, including subsurface and percolating waters.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 3 - Storage of Natural or Artificial Gas and Petroleum Products in Prince George's County › Section 14-304 - Regulations in Addition to Rules of Department

The following regulations are additional to the regulations prescribed by the Department and do not limit the regulatory authority of the Department granted under § 14-303 of this subtitle:
(1)    Every applicant for a storage permit shall, at the time of application, file with the Department a surety bond in the amount of $1,000, payable to the Comptroller of the State on a form approved by the Department and executed by a responsible surety company authorized to do business in the State. The bond is intended to assure that necessary safety measures are maintained, and that any well or other opening used in connection with the storage project is properly sealed after abandonment of the project if this action is considered necessary by the Department to protect one or more of the natural resources of the State. Any transferee shall file a similar bond.
(2)    A permeable sand or stratum containing gas, or into which gas or a liquefied petroleum derivative has been forced under pressure, may not be drilled or left open in a manner permitting an avoidable escape of gas to occur. A well connected with a storage reservoir containing either natural gas or a petroleum derivative stored under pressure, may not be situated within 50 yards of any existing building used as a residence or office.
(3)    All freshwater sands penetrated in drilling to a storage reservoir shall be fully protected by cement grout placed to provide an effective seal to the nearest thick clay bed above the gas storage stratum having a thickness of at least 25 feet. In order to provide an effective seal in the nearest thick clay bed above the gas storage stratum, the clay bed shall have a thickness and other geologic properties adequate, in the opinion of the Department, to constitute sufficient protection to the potable freshwater supplies existing in any aquifers.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 3 - Storage of Natural or Artificial Gas and Petroleum Products in Prince George's County › Section 14-305 - Permit for Drilling, Digging, etc., for Underground Storage Area -- Required

A person may not drill, bore, drive, dig, or otherwise conduct any operation for the purpose of obtaining access to a pocket or other underground area for the purpose of storing natural or artificial gas or petroleum products and their derivatives, unless a permit for the operation, construction, and storage has been first obtained from the Department. Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to apply to the installation or maintenance of underground tanks or vessels commonly used to store these products.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 3 - Storage of Natural or Artificial Gas and Petroleum Products in Prince George's County › Section 14-306 - Permit for Drilling, Digging, etc., for Underground Storage Area -- Map of Engineer or Geologist to Show Location; Review of Permit Application by Department; Grant or Denial

Every application for a permit shall be accompanied by at least two copies of an accurate map prepared by a competent engineer or geologist showing the location, extent, and depth of the proposed storage place and of all wells drilled or proposed to be drilled to the storage place. A copy of the map shall be sent to the Department and it shall review the application and map to determine the presence or absence of the danger of pollution, contamination, diversion, or depletion of subsurface and percolating waters. The Department may take the testimony of any other person. It shall decide whether the granting of any application would likely endanger the public safety, health and welfare, and in accordance with its determination, grant or deny the application.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 4 - Interstate Oil and Gas Compact › Section 14-401 - Governor Directed to Join in Name of State

The Governor, for and in the name of the State of Maryland, shall join with other states in the interstate compact to conserve oil and gas, which was executed in Dallas, Texas, on February 16, 1935, and is now deposited with the Department of State of the United States, and which has been extended with the consent of Congress.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 4 - Interstate Oil and Gas Compact › Section 14-402 - Extensions and Withdrawal Authorized

The Governor, for and in the name of the State, may execute agreements for the further extension of the expiration date of the compact and to determine if, and when, it is in the best interest of the State to withdraw from the compact, upon 60 days’ notice as provided by its terms. If the Governor determines that the State should withdraw from the compact, the Governor may give the necessary notice and take all steps necessary to effect the withdrawal of the State from the compact.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 4 - Interstate Oil and Gas Compact › Section 14-403 - Governor Official Representative; Assistant Representative

The Governor is the official representative of the State on the Interstate Oil Compact Commission. The Governor shall exercise and perform for the State every power and duty as a member of the Commission. The Governor may appoint an assistant representative to act in the Governor’s stead as the official representative of the State as a member of the Commission. The assistant representative provided for in the compact shall take the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution. The oath shall be filed with the office of the Secretary of State. State members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred while actually engaged in the performance of their duties, in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 5 - Coastal Facilities Review Act › Section 14-501 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Coastal area” means all that land and water area lying within Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, the Chesapeake Bay, and lying seaward to the State’s territorial jurisdiction.
(c)    “Construction” means any clearing, grading, excavation, building or other action that would affect the natural environment of the coastal area, or the commencement of any of these activities. This does not include any activity for the sole purpose of securing biological or geological data or other data for an economic or environmental analysis.
(d)    “Department” means the Department of the Environment.
(e)    “Facility” means:
(1)    Any pipeline carrying crude oil or natural gas ashore from offshore sources;
(2)    Any intermediate production terminal or refinery which is designed to process at least ten thousand barrels of crude oil per calendar day;
(3)    Any crude oil storage facility:
(i)    Whose total design capacity is at least 100,000 barrels;
(ii)    Which occupies at least fifty acres; or
(iii)    Whose average throughput is at least ten thousand barrels per calendar day;
(4)    Any facility for the processing, transmission, or storage of natural gas with a total design capacity for at least one billion cubic feet of gas for storage or two hundred million cubic feet for processing;
(5)    Any operations base which:
(i)    Includes port and harbor facilities;
(ii)    Occupies at least twenty–five acres; and
(iii)    Is designed, constructed and operated as an assembly area for the storage, handling, and transport of supplies whose next and final destination is any oil and/or gas exploration, development, or production–related operation conducted in the territorial sea, contiguous zone or high seas area; or
(6)    Any fabrication yard which is an assembly operation used for the construction or preparation of petroleum drilling rigs, jackets or platforms, or wellhead installations, whose final destination is installation or operation in the territorial sea, contiguous zone, or high seas area.
(f)    “Government agencies” means the government of the United States, the State of Maryland, or any other state, their political subdivisions, units, or instrumentalities thereof, and interstate units.
(g)    “Person” includes corporations, companies, associations, firms, partnerships, and joint stock companies, as well as individuals and government agencies.
(h)    “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Environment.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 5 - Coastal Facilities Review Act › Section 14-503 - Permit for Construction of Facility -- Required; Exemption as to Facilities Begun or in Existence Prior to July 1, 1975; Rules and Regulations

(a)    A person may not construct, or cause to be constructed, a facility in the coastal area unless he first obtains a permit pursuant to this subtitle. However, facilities for which on-site construction, excluding site preparation, has legally begun prior to July 1, 1975 are exempt from the provisions of this subtitle.
(b)    The Secretary after receiving the advisory comments of the Secretaries of Natural Resources, Business and Economic Development, and Transportation and the Secretary of the Department of Planning may adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 5 - Coastal Facilities Review Act › Section 14-504 - Permit for Construction of Facility -- Application Generally; Information to Accompany Application; Fees; Cooperation of State Units and Departments

(a)    Any person proposing to construct a facility in the coastal area shall file an application with the Department in the form the Secretary prescribes. The application shall be accompanied by the information the Secretary requires and shall include the following information:
(1)    A project description specifying:
(i)    What is planned to be constructed, its purpose, use, location, cost, and size; and
(ii)    The methods of construction, construction schedule, and operation procedure.
(2)    A list of all licenses, permits or other approvals required by any government unit.
(3)    All information necessary or required for any application to the State or any of its units or departments, for any other permit, license or approval required for or in connection with the facility.
(4)    Detailed information as to the need for the facility and facts concerning alternate site locations as may be requested by the Secretary.
(b)    The Department shall establish a reasonable fee schedule to reimburse the Department for the costs of filing and processing of an application required by this subtitle. The fee shall include at least the cost of the statement required by § 14–506 of this subtitle, payable in advance of any required State expenditure.
(c)    All units and departments of the State shall, to the fullest extent possible, cooperate with any person proposing to construct a facility in the coastal area by supplying the person with information and assistance as he may request.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 5 - Coastal Facilities Review Act › Section 14-505 - Permit for Construction of Facility -- Effect of Application and Action Taken Thereon

Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this article, an application for a permit required by this subtitle shall be considered an application for all other permits or licenses required under this article for the facility and the action taken by the Secretary on the application shall be deemed to be action taken on all other permits and licenses, including wetlands licenses.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 5 - Coastal Facilities Review Act › Section 14-506 - Permit for Construction of Facility -- Impact Statement Required; Advisory Comments From Certain State Departments; County Action Prerequisite to Processing Application, Etc

(a)    Upon the filing of an application and prior to deciding whether or not to grant the permit, a statement of the economic, fiscal, and environmental impact of the proposed facility shall be prepared by one or more appropriate parties selected by the Secretary after receiving the advisory comments of the Secretaries of Natural Resources, Commerce, and Transportation and the Secretary of Planning. The statement shall be prepared and filed within six months after selection of the appropriate party or parties. The statement, with written background and supporting material, shall be available to the public. The time for filing the statement may be extended by the Secretary for up to but not more than an additional 12 months for good cause.
(b)    The statement shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1)    An inventory of existing economic and environmental conditions at the project site and in the immediate area;
(2)    A project description of what is to be constructed, and the manner and construction schedule and the method of construction;
(3)    A complete description of the proposed facility including at least its anticipated size, effluent load, and production levels;
(4)    An assessment of the probable economic, fiscal, and environmental impact of the project upon the natural environment of the project site coastal area and the immediate area;
(5)    Recommendations for minimizing any adverse economic, fiscal, or environmental impacts;
(6)    An evaluation of the need for the facility and the relative merit of other possible sites; and
(7)    In the case of a refinery, a description of the manner of transportation of the feed stock and the product of the crude oil.
(c)    The application shall not be processed further nor shall the analysis required be undertaken until the county government wherein the facility is proposed to be located or wherein the pipeline will terminate, has certified to the Department that all local land use classifications, including zoning, special exceptions, variances or conditional uses, necessary for the location and operation of the proposed facility have been or will be granted. If the county government in its discretion stays the certification and so notifies the Department that it will continue its stay until the analysis is completed then, and only in that event may the application be processed and the analysis prepared as set forth under this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 5 - Coastal Facilities Review Act › Section 14-507 - Permit for Construction of Facility -- Prerequisites to Further Action by Secretary; Public Hearing Required; Information to Be Made Available to Public; Notice of Hearing

(a)    Further action may not be taken by the Secretary under this subtitle without completion of the statement required under § 14-506 of this subtitle, and its being made available to the public, and until the county government, where the proposed facility is to be located has certified to the Department that all necessary local approval has been or is reasonably expected to be extended for commencement of construction.
(b)    Not more than 60 days after the statement is completed, the Department shall hold at least one public hearing in the county in which the facility or any part of it is situated to solicit the views of the public about the permit application. Prior to the public hearing the Department shall make the statement available to the public. In addition, any comments on the statement prepared by the Department or any other State department, any proposed permits to be issued by any State agency to the applicant, any conditions proposed by the Department prior to granting a permit, and any other pertinent information shall be made available to the public prior to the hearing.
(c)    The Department shall give notice of the public hearing by furnishing the same to the appropriate State and local government units as well as publishing notice in a newspaper of statewide circulation and in a newspaper published in or having general circulation in each affected county.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 5 - Coastal Facilities Review Act › Section 14-509 - Permit for Construction of Facility -- Judicial Review of Action on Application

(a)    A request for judicial review of the Secretary’s action on any application shall be made within 30 days after the decision has been rendered. Proceedings shall be filed in the circuit court of any county having jurisdiction in which the facility or any part of it is to be situated.
(b)    A request for judicial review may be made only by an aggrieved party, by a properly designated official of the county government where the proposed facility is to be located, or by the Department of Planning pursuant to § 5-611 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(c)    In order to expedite judicial review, any court of the State, either at the trial or appellate level, which acquires jurisdiction over any legal challenge to the Secretary’s action on any application shall give highest priority to such proceeding in the scheduling of appropriate hearings and trials and in the respective court’s deliberations.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 5 - Coastal Facilities Review Act › Section 14-510 - Violations; Injunctions; Penalty

(a)    Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle may be enjoined by a court of competent jurisdiction upon application of the Department acting through the Attorney General.
(b)    Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle or any regulation, permit, or order issued thereunder, is liable to a penalty not exceeding $10,000, as well as being subject to being enjoined as provided in subsection (a) of this section. The monetary penalty thus provided may be recovered in a civil action by the Department through the Attorney General.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 14 - Gas and Oil › Subtitle 5 - Coastal Facilities Review Act › Section 14-511 - Construction of Subtitle

(a)    This subtitle shall be liberally construed to effectuate its intents and purposes.
(b)    Nothing in this subtitle may be construed to be in derogation of any powers or State laws in existence on July 1, 1975, but shall be regarded as supplemental and in addition to powers conferred by other laws.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 15 - Mines and Mining › Subtitle 2 - Powers, Authority, and Organization of Units Pertaining to Mines and Mining -- in General › Section 15-201 - Bureau of Mines Established; Location of Main Office of Bureau

(a)    There is a Bureau of Mines, established as part of the Department.
(b)    The main office of the Bureau shall be located in either Garrett County or Allegany County. The Director of the Bureau, with the approval of the Secretary, shall select the location.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 15 - Mines and Mining › Subtitle 2 - Powers, Authority, and Organization of Units Pertaining to Mines and Mining -- in General › Section 15-202 - Director of Bureau

The Secretary shall appoint the Director of the Bureau of Mines who shall serve at the Secretary’s pleasure. The Director shall have executive ability and either a degree in mining engineering from an accredited institution of higher education or comparable knowledge in the principles and practices of mining, planning, design, conservation, and research, and experience in reclamation, abandoned mine restoration, drainage abatement, and administration. The Director shall devote full time to the duties of the Director’s office, and may not directly or indirectly have a financial interest in any way in any coal mine, mining operation, or mining investment in this or any contiguous state. The Director is responsible for the exercise of every power and duty conferred on the Department by the provisions of this title and delegated to the Director by the Secretary.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 15 - Mines and Mining › Subtitle 2 - Powers, Authority, and Organization of Units Pertaining to Mines and Mining -- in General › Section 15-203 - Duties of Bureau and Director Generally

(a)    The Bureau shall supervise the execution and enforcement of any law enacted for the health and safety of persons and protection and conservation of property within, about, or related to bituminous coal mines in the State. To this end, it shall adopt and enforce necessary rules and regulations after giving due notice.
(b)    The Bureau shall compile, publish, and distribute to interested persons, the mining laws and rules and regulations. The publication shall be made at reasonable times to keep the laws and rules and regulations current. The Bureau shall keep a record of any inspection or investigation and a copy of any official communication or record of work to be done. It shall preserve any report, statistics, and information received relating to the development of coal or other mining, or the enforcement of the provisions of this title.
(c)    The Bureau shall encourage and assist reasonable efforts to improve mining methods and conditions to discover better ways to protect life and health, extend the serviceable use of instrumentalities, and promote the prosperity of the industry by reducing waste of natural resources and fostering economy in mining. It shall compile, statistically analyze, and compare available data regarding coal or other mining processes and operations, and advise any person engaged in that industry.
(d)    The Director may institute proceedings in the name of the State by an action at law, suit in equity, or prosecution to enforce any provision of this title or any rule or regulation. This power does not exclude any right of an interested person to invoke the usual and ordinary process of a court against a violator of the mining laws.
(e)    The Bureau may enter and inspect any mine in order to determine its safety condition. If the inspected mine is found unsafe or is operated in an unsafe manner, the Bureau shall order the immediate correction of the unsafe condition. If the unsafe condition is not corrected in the time prescribed, the Bureau shall order the mine closed until the owner or operator makes the necessary correction.
(f)    The Bureau shall collect information in regard to mineral production and mine output.
(g)    The Department shall report annually concerning the following information for each major watershed in Allegany and Garrett counties, on a cumulative and annual basis:
(1)    The total number of acres for which new or amended permits have been issued;
(2)    The total number of acres which have been stripped;
(3)    The total number of acres which have been planted; and
(4)    The total number of acres for which the Bureau has released the revegetation bond.
(h)    The Department may apply for, accept, administer, and expend funds from any source for the administration and implementation of this title, including the reclamation and revegetation of any land or water area affected by the mining of bituminous coal.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 15 - Mines and Mining › Subtitle 2 - Powers, Authority, and Organization of Units Pertaining to Mines and Mining -- in General › Section 15-205 - Reclamation Plans

(a)    (1)    Before any person conducts surface coal mining and reclamation operations, the person shall obtain the Committee’s approval of the reclamation plan for the site.
(2)    Notwithstanding any provision of the State Government Article, public notice on pending applications provided in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle shall be the only notice required by law.
(3)    The Committee shall publish a public notice that it has received a proposed reclamation plan from the applicant.
(i)    The public notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of the proposed mining and reclamation operation.
(ii)    The public notice shall include the name of the applicant, the ownership of the land to be affected, a description of the location of the proposed operation, the location where the application is available for public inspection, and notice that written comments and requests for a public informational hearing will be received by the Committee for at least 30 days after the newspaper publication.
(4)    If a hearing is requested, the Committee shall hold a public informational hearing on the proposed reclamation plan. The Committee shall notify the applicant and any person who requests a hearing of the date, time, and location of the hearing and shall publish the date, time, and location of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the proposed operation.
(5)    Any public informational hearing shall be at least 15 but not more than 60 days after the Committee provides public notice of the hearing. Members of the public shall be provided an opportunity to comment on the proposed reclamation plan, in writing, until the date of any hearing.
(6)    The Committee shall approve or reject the proposed reclamation plan. If a public informational hearing is requested, the Committee shall approve or reject the proposed reclamation plan after the hearing. If the proposed reclamation plan is rejected, the applicant shall be notified in writing of the reason for rejection or the Committee’s suggested modifications. The applicant may resubmit the plan with corrections or the Committee’s suggested modifications. If the changes are made, the Committee may approve the reclamation plan.
(7)    The Committee shall notify the applicant, the Department, and any participants to a hearing, of its decision.
(b)    The Committee shall determine that revegetation of reclaimed surface coal mined land meets the revegetation standards of the regulatory program before the Department may release any bond held to assure revegetation of the land.
(c)    If the Committee has reason to believe that a violation of the subtitle, regulations, or permit conditions exists, the Committee shall notify the Department. The Department shall provide the Committee with a report that indicates the results of an inspection, or the reason why no action was taken.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 15 - Mines and Mining › Subtitle 3 - Examination, Licensing, Inspection, and Supervision of Mining Activity › Section 15-301 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Examining authority” means the Director of the Bureau or the Director’s designee when referring to the procedure for grant or suspension of a permit of competence or grant or suspension of a first–class mine foreman certificate of competence or a fire–boss certificate of competence.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 15 - Mines and Mining › Subtitle 3 - Examination, Licensing, Inspection, and Supervision of Mining Activity › Section 15-302 - Examining Authority to Test Applicants for Different Types of Certificates and Permits

The examining authority shall inquire into the background and qualifications of each applicant for any certificate or permit of competence. It shall prepare, correct, and grade the individual examinations for the various certificates of competency.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 15 - Mines and Mining › Subtitle 3 - Examination, Licensing, Inspection, and Supervision of Mining Activity › Section 15-303 - Particular Qualifications for Different Kinds of Certificates and Permits

(a)    An applicant for a first-class mine foreman certificate of competence shall produce evidence satisfactory to the examining authority that he is at least 18 years of age and a citizen of the State or of another state that accords similar privileges to a citizen of Maryland. He shall furnish a verified history of his experience in mining employment, showing in detail the several mines in which he has worked, their location, the particular occupation followed during a period of at least five years, and in particular his knowledge of and extent of experience with gaseous mines. Each applicant shall pay an examination fee of $5 to the State.
(b)    An applicant for a “permit of competence” shall produce evidence satisfactory to the examining authority that he is qualified by experience to take the examination for the permit.
(c)    An applicant for a fire-boss certificate of competence shall produce evidence satisfactory to the examining authority that he is a resident of the State, or of another state that accords similar privileges to a resident of Maryland, and at least 18 years of age. He shall furnish a verified history of his experience in mining employment, showing in detail the several mines in which he has worked, their location, the particular employment followed during a period of at least 3 years, and, in particular, his knowledge of and extent of experience with gaseous mines. Each applicant shall pay an examination fee of $3 to the State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 15 - Mines and Mining › Subtitle 3 - Examination, Licensing, Inspection, and Supervision of Mining Activity › Section 15-304 - Bureau May Instruct Applicants for Certificates and Permits

The Bureau may establish a place within the mining area of the State to give instruction to an applicant for a “first-class mine foreman’s certificate”, a “fire-boss certificate”, or a “permit of competence”, and other instruction required under this subtitle or any rule and regulation made under it. The Bureau may conduct courses in order to qualify properly any person who makes application for the various types of certificates.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 15 - Mines and Mining › Subtitle 3 - Examination, Licensing, Inspection, and Supervision of Mining Activity › Section 15-307 - Appeal of Aggrieved Applicants

An applicant who is aggrieved by the examining authority’s refusal to grant a first–class mine foreman certificate or permit of competence may apply to the Secretary of Budget and Management who shall review the examination. If the Secretary of Budget and Management finds the refusal unwarranted, the Secretary shall direct that the applicant be awarded the certificate or permit. If the Secretary upholds the decision of the examining authority, the applicant may appeal to the circuit court for the county in which the applicant resides. The court may hear and determine the matter, issuing any order as may be just.