SB 1549 Summary

• Requires persons conducting survey work for proposed pipelines to notify affected property owners in writing before survey crews enter their property.

• Mandates that easement offers to landowners for pipeline construction on agricultural property include information on anticipated physical impacts, drainage tile repair assurances, topsoil replacement assurances, property appraisal methods, crop productivity loss estimates, and post-construction damage payments.

• Requires the Michigan Public Service Commission to ensure pipeline siting will not adversely impact public health, safety, welfare, or the environment, and establishes approval criteria for construction and operating permits based on compliance with the act and absence of threats to public health and environment.

• Requires pipeline companies to make good-faith efforts to minimize physical impact and economic damage from pipeline construction and repair.

• Bill effectiveness is conditioned on the enactment of nine companion bills (SB 1541-1548 and SB 1550).