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BILL # SB 1494 |
TITLE: environmental; underground injection control program |
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SPONSOR: Griffin |
STATUS: Senate Engrossed |
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PREPARED BY: Josh Hope |
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This bill would require the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to establish an Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permit Program for injection wells. This program would have "primacy" over the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) UIC Permit Program. The bill also outlines permissions, exemptions, and prohibitions relating to underground injection.
Estimated Impact
ADEQ estimates that this program would cost $330,000 annually when fully implemented. According to ADEQ, these costs will be partially offset by the additional federal grant money ADEQ receives after taking "primacy" over the UIC Permit Program. ADEQ estimates it will cost $20,000 to implement the program prior to receiving fees and grants.
We do not have a means of being able to verify the ADEQ estimates.
ADEQ is responsible for coordinating the protection and enhancement of the quality of water resources in Arizona. Current statute requires the ADEQ Director to adopt in rule the permit program for underground injection described by the EPA through the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). An injection well is used to place fluid underground into porous geologic formations. These underground formations may range from deep sandstone to limestone to a shallow soil layer. Injection wells have a range of uses including storing carbon dioxide, disposing of waste, enhancing soil production, mining, and preventing salt water intrusion.
The federal SDWA establishes the federal UIC Program and creates standards and regulations for underground injection. Current Arizona statute requires any individual who discharges or owns a facility that discharges to obtain a permit. Under the federal program, permit applicants must also undergo a federal review process. Under state "primacy", permit applicants would only need a state UIC permit. State programs must meet minimum federal UIC requirements to gain primacy. If a state does not obtain "primacy," the EPA implements the program directly through one of its regional offices as it does currently in Arizona. The EPA has delegated primacy for all well classes to 33 states, shares responsibility in 7 states, and implements the program for all well classes in 10 states, including Arizona.
ADEQ estimates that this program would cost $330,000 annually when fully implemented. According to the bill, the state program would be funded by ADEQ's Water Qualify Fee Fund, which receives permit fees. The program would also be funded by additional federal grant money ADEQ receives after taking "primacy" over the UIC Permit Program. ADEQ estimates it would cost $20,000 to implement the program prior to receiving fees and grants. The program could take several years to implement and would be funded out of ADEQ's existing budget.
We do not have a means of being able to verify the ADEQ estimates.
Local Government Impact
None
3/14/18