RULES AND STANDARDS

(a) The commission by rule shall adopt safety standards and practices for the salt dome storage of hazardous liquids and the facilities used for that purpose. Safety standards and practices adopted by the commission for a storage facility that is part of an intrastate pipeline facility, as defined by the federal Department of Transportation under 49 U.S.C. Section 60101 et seq. and its subsequent amendments or a succeeding law, must be compatible with federal minimum standards. The rules shall require: (1) the installation and periodic testing of safety devices at a salt dome storage facility; (2) the establishment of emergency notification procedures for the operator of a facility in the event of a release of a hazardous substance that poses a substantial risk to the public; (3) fire prevention and response procedures; (4) employee and third-party contractor safety training with respect to the operation of the facility; and (5) other requirements that the commission finds necessary and reasonable for the safe construction, operation, and maintenance of salt dome storage facilities. (b) The commission may grant exceptions to its rules or impose additional requirements in any permit or amended permit issued to a facility if the facility, as permitted, will not cause an unreasonable danger to the public.