Section 23-1703. Legislative findings

The  legislature  finds that it is necessary for the protection of the
  public health, the environment and the economic welfare of the people of
  this state to regulate and control the siting of liquefied  natural  and
  petroleum  gas  facilities in this state because of the hazards posed by
  liquefied  natural  and  petroleum  gas  storage   and   transportation,
  particularly  in  populated  areas. The legislature finds that liquefied
  natural and petroleum gas is an extremely volatile, highly flammable and
  dangerous substance which if released into the  air  is  capable,  under
  unfavorable  atmospheric  conditions,  of  causing severe damage even in
  areas distant from the point of release. The legislature  further  finds
  that  the  use  of imported and domestic liquefied natural and petroleum
  gas  is  increasing,  making  its  regulation  in  the  public  interest
  essential;   and   requiring   particular   caution   in   its  storage,
  transportation,  and  conversion,  to  be  carried  out  other  than  in
  residential  areas  or  in dangerous proximity to contiguous population,
  with the imposition of strict liability in the handling thereof.
    It is the purpose of the legislature, subject  to  the  provisions  of
  this  act,  that  liquefied  natural  or petroleum gas facilities not be
  sited in residential areas, or  in  dangerous  proximity  to  contiguous
  populations,  and  that transportation of liquefied natural or petroleum
  gas be effected under maximum  safeguards  to  protect  such  areas  and
  populations  against  possible catastrophic danger in the mishandling or
  possible escape thereof. Natural gas stored  or  transported  at  normal
  temperatures,  whether  under  pressure  or  otherwise, after conversion
  thereof from its super-cooled or cryogenic state as  liquefied  gas  and
  liquefied  petroleum  gases in the form of butane, bottled gas, propane,
  propylene  and  butylene  gas  when  stored  or  transported  at   their
  respective  normal  temperatures are not subject to regulation under the
  provisions of this act.