On Monday, the House Assembly deliberated over a bill that would protect energy infrastructure and pipelines from people who would tamper with or damage critical assets that provide power to our homes and state economy. Senator Janne Myrdal (R-Edinburg) introduced SB2044 in response to a 2016 incident where an environmental activist trespassed into a secure gated area with warning signs posted in order to turn an emergency valve on an oil pipeline in northeast North Dakota.
The legislation includes Lignite Energy Council supported provisions to protect an electrical power generating facility, substation, switching station, electrical control or electric power line and associated equipment infrastructure from tampering and damage from individuals or organizations.
The bill makes it a Class C felony to intentionally damage, destroy, vandalize or tamper with a critical infrastructure facility. That felony conviction carries a max penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 fine. It also includes a penalty up to $100,000 for an organization that is found guilty of conspiring with an individual who tampers with or damages critical infrastructure.
The House passed the bill 76-14 and the Senate passed the bill 42-3 in February. The bill now goes back to the Senate for either a concurrence to the House amendment or to a conference committee for further consideration.