HB97 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Barbara DrummondRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Oil and Gas Board, underground gas storage facilities, regulation, gas further defined to include abandonment of underground storage facilities, performance bonds, fees by board, Secs. 9-17-150, 9-17-151 am'd.
Summary: The bill broadens the gases regulated in underground storage and gives the State Oil and Gas Board new powers to require bonds and set fees for storage facilities.
What This Bill Does
It expands the definition of gas to include carbon oxides, ammonia, hydrogen, nitrogen, and noble gases ( LPG is excluded) for underground storage regulation. It authorizes the board to regulate the operation and abandonment of underground storage facilities and to require bonds or other financial security to ensure compliance. It allows the board to adopt rules that establish fees to cover regulatory expenses. It states that underground storage of these gases is in the public interest and gives the board jurisdiction to enforce regulations, including hearings and orders.

Who It Affects
Storage facility operators and owners: must comply with regulation of operation and abandonment, may be required to provide bonds or financial security, and could face board-imposed fees.
General public / energy consumers: will benefit from expanded regulatory oversight and financial assurances, potentially improving safety and reliability of underground gas storage.

Key Provisions
GAS definition expanded to include carbon oxides, ammonia, hydrogen, nitrogen, and noble gases; LPG remains excluded.
Board gains authority to regulate the operation and abandonment of underground storage facilities and may require bonds or other financial security.
Board may adopt rules to establish fees and charges to defray regulatory expenses for underground storage facilities.
Underground storage of the added gases is recognized as being in the public interest, with the board empowered to enforce regulations, including hearings and orders.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Oil and Gas Board, State