CO SB108

Expands Public Utilities Commission authority to adopt and enforce gas pipeline safety rules covering all intrastate pipeline operators, including public utilities, municipalities, master meter systems, and liquefied natural gas facilities.

Requires Commission to incorporate current federal pipeline safety standards (49 CFR 191, 192, 193, 199) and may establish more stringent state requirements for personnel qualifications, abandoned pipeline risk reduction, pipeline mapping, inspection frequency, leak detection technology, reporting, and damage investigation.

Increases civil penalties for pipeline safety violations from $100,000 to $200,000 per violation, with aggregate cap of $2 million, and establishes objective metrics for penalty reduction based on violation severity, remediation efforts, and safety improvement spending.

Appropriates $423,448 for fiscal year 2021-22 to the Department of Regulatory Agencies for Public Utilities Commission staffing (3.7 FTE), operating expenses, and legal services to implement enhanced gas pipeline safety oversight.

Addresses Colorado-specific safety concerns including proximity of new gas infrastructure to residential areas, aging pipelines under increased demand, and methane emissions from pipeline leaks.