2016 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 27A. Environment and Natural Resources
§27A-2-7-116. Permits - Application - Liability insurance - Bond - Financial responsibility - Operation of facility - Insolvency - Liability of guarantors.

A. Except for emergency permits issued in accordance with Section 2-7-113.1 of this title, no permit shall be issued except upon proper application, proof of sufficient liability insurance and financial responsibility, formal public meeting, if requested, and such other requirements as provided by the Oklahoma Hazardous Waste Management Act and the Environmental Quality Code.

B. Liability insurance shall be provided by the applicant and shall apply to sudden and nonsudden bodily injury or property damage on, below or above the surface, as required by the rules of the Board. Additional insurance shall be required as deemed necessary by the Department to protect the property rights of owners or leaseholders of underground resources such as oil, gas, water or other mineral substances. Such insurance shall be maintained for the period of operation of the facility and shall provide coverage for damages resulting from operation of the facility during operation and after closing. In lieu of liability insurance required by this or any other section of the Oklahoma Hazardous Waste Management Act, an equivalent amount of cash, securities or alternate financial assurance of a type and in an amount acceptable to the Department, may be substituted; provided, that such deposit shall be maintained for a period of five (5) years after the date of last operation of the facility.

C. Prior to the issuance of any permit, the applicant shall post a bond or acceptable alternate financial assurance guaranteeing proper closure and guaranteeing the performance of the maintenance and monitoring functions set out in Section 2-7-124 of this title.

D. The Department shall require additional insurance and security by the permittee upon an application for expansion of the facility. Such increase in insurance and security shall be in a sufficient amount to provide adequate coverage for damages resulting from such expansion during operation of the facility and after closing.

E. Prior to the issuance of any permit, the applicant shall, upon request of the Department, produce evidence of the applicant's financial status indicating that the applicant is financially able to operate and maintain a hazardous waste facility as required by the Oklahoma Hazardous Waste Management Act. If the applicant is not financially able to operate and maintain a hazardous waste facility, as required by the Oklahoma Hazardous Waste Management Act, a permit shall be denied.

F. The operation of a hazardous waste facility shall be under the supervision of a person meeting qualifications set by the Board appropriate to the type of facility.

G. The Department is authorized and shall require the construction of monitoring wells, pond liners, fencing, signs or other equipment deemed necessary by the Department to ensure the suitable operation of the facility.

H. Hazardous waste undergoing analysis to determine if it is acceptable for disposal that is temporarily staged within the confines of a permitted hazardous waste unit in a manner that will prevent the waste, or any constituent thereof, from entering the environment during such temporary staging shall not constitute disposal of the hazardous waste.

I. 1. In any case where the owner or operator of a hazardous waste facility is in bankruptcy, reorganization, or arrangement pursuant to the Federal Bankruptcy Code or if jurisdiction in any state court or any federal court cannot be obtained over an owner or operator likely to be solvent at the time of judgment, any claim arising from conduct for which evidence of financial responsibility is required pursuant to the Oklahoma Hazardous Waste Management Act may be asserted directly against the guarantor providing such evidence of financial responsibility. In the case of any action taken pursuant to this section, such guarantor shall be entitled to claim all rights and defenses which would have been available to the owner or operator if any action had been brought against the owner or operator by the claimant and which would have been available to the guarantor if any action had been brought against the guarantor by the owner or operator.

2. The total liability of any guarantor shall be limited to the aggregate amount which the guarantor has provided as evidence of financial responsibility for the owner or operator pursuant to the Oklahoma Hazardous Waste Management Act. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit any other state or federal statutory, contractual or common law liability of a guarantor to its owner or operator including, but not limited to, the liability of such guarantor for bad faith either in negotiating or failing to negotiate the settlement of any claim. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to diminish the liability of any person under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 or other applicable law.

Added by Laws 1976, c. 251, § 9. Amended by Laws 1978, c. 260, § 8, emerg. eff. May 10, 1978; Laws 1981, c. 322, § 9, eff. July 1, 1981. Renumbered from Title 63, § 2759 by Laws 1981, c. 322, § 18, eff. July 1, 1981. Amended by Laws 1986, c. 140, § 1, emerg. eff. April 21, 1986; Laws 1990, c. 196, § 5, emerg. eff. May 10, 1990; Laws 1992, c. 403, § 22, eff. Sept. 1, 1992; Laws 1993, c. 145, § 99, eff. July 1, 1993. Renumbered from Title 63, § 1-2008 by Laws 1993, c. 145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993. Amended by Laws 1994, c. 373, § 22, eff. July 1, 1994; Laws 1995, c. 285, § 5, eff. July 1, 1995; Laws 2015, c. 202, § 1, emerg. eff. April 28, 2015.