Maine Revised Statutes Title 35-A. Public Utilities § 4506. Construction requirements

1. Soil requirements. A natural gas pipeline must be laid at least 24 inches below the surface of the soil. The soil above the pipeline must be graded to the level of the adjacent land and left in good working condition unless otherwise agreed to by the natural gas pipeline utility and the property owner.

2. Damage to growing crops. The natural gas pipeline utility shall pay for any damage to growing crops caused by the construction, operation, maintenance, repair or reconstruction of a natural gas pipeline.

3. Driveways, drains, pipes and wires left in good condition. Driveways, drains, water pipes and other service pipes or wires located on land on which a natural gas pipeline is constructed shall be left in as good condition as they were prior to the construction, maintenance, repair or reconstruction of the pipeline, except when the natural gas pipeline utility and the owner of the property or right-of-way agree otherwise.

4. Closing right-of-way prohibited. No driveway or right-of-way over the land on which a natural gas pipeline is located may, except during the construction, maintenance, repair or reconstruction of the pipeline, be closed for passage, except by agreement between the natural gas pipeline utility and the owner of the property or right-of-way.

5. Buildings. A building erected by a natural gas pipeline utility shall conform in its method of construction with the building laws or regulations in force in the location in which it is erected, and the exterior design of the building shall conform to the extent possible with the general architectural standards of buildings in the locality.