The New York Senate has unanimously approved legislation that requires the disclosure of insurance information on permit applications for the construction of pipelines traversing any freshwater wetlands in the state.
The necessary information includes the name of the insurance company covering the construction project, the amount of coverage, and what is covered under the policy. The information will be shared with municipalities
“The construction and placement of pipelines across the state’s freshwater wetlands are not without potential risks, and this legislation simply offers transparency in regard to liability,” said Senator Pete Harckham, the chief sponsor of the bill (S.3365) “Having insurance information readily available, in case of an accident or an emergency, will give community members who are worried about the environment and public safety some deserved peace of mind.”
The bill must still pass the Assembly and receive the assent of the governor.
Harckham said the measure lets municipalities make sure accidents and contamination are covered for liability and that all pipeline activities being conducted on wetlands are properly insured.
“The expense of cleaning up fragile wetlands can be particularly onerous,” said Tim Guinee of the Climate Reality Project Chapter Coalition. He said assuring financial ability to pay for industrial accidents is good environmental policy.
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