Protection of natural gas storage facilities; remedies.

(1) The department may not authorize the drilling of any well into or through a permitted natural gas storage reservoir or reservoir protective area, except upon conditions deemed by the department to be sufficient to prevent the loss, migration, or escape of gas from the natural gas storage reservoir. The department shall provide written notice to the natural gas storage facility operator of any application filed with the department and any agency action taken related to drilling a well into or through a permitted natural gas storage facility boundary or reservoir protective area.

(2) As a condition for the issuance of a permit by the department, an applicant seeking to drill a well into or through a permitted natural gas storage facility boundary or reservoir protective area must provide the affected natural gas storage facility operator a reasonable right of entry to observe and monitor all drilling activities.

(3) The department shall require by permit condition that any well drilled into or through a permitted natural gas storage reservoir or reservoir protective area is cased and cemented in a manner sufficient to protect the integrity of the natural gas storage reservoir.