§ 27A-3-5-104. Memorandum of understanding - Permits - Rules - Notice requirements - Powers and duties.

A.  The Corporation Commission and the Department of Environmental Quality shall execute a Memorandum of Understanding to address areas in which the implementation of this act will require interagency cooperation or interaction, including procedures for directing applicants through the application process.

B.  The operator of a CO2 sequestration facility shall obtain a permit pursuant to this act from the Agency having jurisdiction prior to the operation of a CO2 sequestration facility, after the Operator provides notice of the application for such permit pursuant to subsection D of this section, and the Agency has a hearing thereon upon request; provided that no permit pursuant to this act is required if the facility operator obtains permission, by permit or order, by the Agency pursuant to the rules and regulations of the state’s federally approved Underground Injection Control Program and such permission authorizes carbon sequestration or injection of carbon dioxide underground and incorporates any additional requirements adopted pursuant to subsection C of this section.

C.  To the extent not already authorized by laws governing the state’s federally approved Underground Injection Control Program, the Agency having jurisdiction may issue and enforce such orders, and may adopt, modify, repeal and enforce such rules, including establishment of appropriate and sufficient fees, financial sureties or bonds, and monitoring at CO2 sequestration facilities, as may be necessary, for the purpose of regulating the drilling of CO2 injection wells related to a CO2 sequestration facility, the injection and withdrawal of carbon dioxide, the operation of the CO2 sequestration facility, CO2 injection well plugging and abandonment, removal of surface buildings and equipment of the CO2 sequestration facility and for any other purpose necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

D.  The applicant for any permit to be issued pursuant to this act shall give all surface owners and mineral owners, including working interest and royalty owners, of the land to be encompassed within the defined geographic boundary of the CO2 sequestration facility as established by the Agency, and whose addresses are known or could be known through the exercise of due diligence, at least fifteen (15) days’ notice of the hearing by mail, return receipt requested.  The applicant shall also give notice by one publication, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing, in some newspaper of general circulation published in Oklahoma County, and by one publication, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the hearing, in some newspaper published in the county, or in each county, if there be more than one, in which the defined geographic boundary of the CO2 sequestration facility, as established by the Agency, is situated.  The applicant shall file proof of publication and an affidavit of mailing with the Agency prior to the hearing.

E.  In addition to all other powers and duties prescribed in this act or otherwise by law, and unless otherwise specifically set forth in this act, the Agency having jurisdiction shall have the authority to perform any and all acts necessary to carry out the purposes and requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, relating to this state’s participation in the federal Underground Injection Control Program established under that act with respect to the storage and/or sequestration of carbon dioxide.

Added by Laws 2009, c. 429, § 4, emerg. eff. June 1, 2009.