reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-2. Declaration of Policy

(a) It is declared to be the public policy of the State of West Virginia to maintain reasonable standards of purity and quality of the water of the state consistent with: (1) Public health and public enjoyment thereof; (2) the propagation and protection of animal, bird, fish, aquatic and plant life; and (3) the expansion of employment opportunities, maintenance and expansion of agriculture and the provision of a permanent foundation for healthy industrial development.
(b) It is also the public policy of the State of West Virginia that the water resources of this state with respect to the quantity thereof be available for reasonable use by all of the citizens of this state.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-5. Water Areas Beautification; Investigations; Law Enforcement

The division shall maintain a program and practices in the husbandry of waters of the state and the lands immediately adjacent thereto. The director shall make such investigations and surveys, conduct such schools and public meetings and take such other steps as may be expedient in the conservation, beautification, improvement and use of all such water areas of the state. The director shall cooperate with the Division of Natural Resources' chief law-enforcement officer in enforcing the provisions of law prohibiting the disposal of litter in, along and near such water areas.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-7. Cooperation With Other Governments and Agencies

The office of water resources is hereby designated as the water pollution control agency for this state for all purposes of federal legislation and is hereby authorized to take all action necessary or appropriate to secure to this state the benefits of said legislation. In carrying out the purposes of this section, the chief is hereby authorized to cooperate with the United States environmental protection agency and other agencies of the federal government, other states, interstate agencies and other interested parties in all matters relating to water pollution, including the development of programs for controlling and reducing water pollution and improving the sanitary conditions of the waters of the state; to apply for and receive, on behalf of this state, funds made available under the aforesaid federal legislation on condition that all moneys received from any federal agency as herein provided shall be paid into the state Treasury and shall be expended, under the direction of the director, solely for purposes for which the grants are made; to approve projects for which applications for loans or grants under the federal legislation are made by any municipality (including any city, town, district or other public body created by or pursuant to the laws of this state and having jurisdiction over the disposal of sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes) or agency of this state or by any interstate agency; and to participate through authorized representatives in proceedings under the federal legislation to recommend measures for the abatement of water pollution originating in this state. The Governor may give consent on behalf of this state to requests by the administrator of the United States environmental protection agency to the Attorney General of the United States for the bringing of actions for the abatement of such pollution. Whenever a federal law requires the approval or recommendation of a state agency or any political subdivision of the state in any matter relating to the water resources of the state, the director, subject to approval of the Legislature, is hereby designated as the sole person to give the approval or recommendation required by the federal law, unless the federal law specifically requires the approval or recommendation of some other state agency or political subdivision of the state.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-7a. Certification Agreements; Required Provisions

(a) Any applicant for the water quality certification that seeks certification of activities covered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers permits issued in accordance with 33 U.S.C. §1344 and 33 C.F.R. Parts 323 or 330 may be issued a certification in accordance with the legislative rules entitled Rules for Individual State Certification of Activities Requiring a Federal Permit, 47 C.S.R. 5A.
(1) The proposed activity shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
(2) The secretary shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this section which rules shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Establishing all necessary operational and performance requirements for a person undertaking activities covered by this section;
(B) Modifying the provisions of this section, when necessary and appropriate to bring the provisions of this section into compliance with state or federal law or regulation; and
(C) Establishing the specific operational requirements for the activity consistent with this section appropriate to protect the waters of this state during and following the activity.
(b) The Joint Committee on Government and Finance may undertake or facilitate a study of the impact of mountaintop mining and valley fills upon the State of West Virginia.
(1) To facilitate the study, the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is further authorized to coordinate with and seek funding from appropriate federal agencies to facilitate the study including, but not limited to: The federal Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corps of Engineers, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and Fish and Wildlife Service.
(2) In order to facilitate the research, the Joint Committee on Government and Finance shall appoint a council to coordinate and direct the research. The composition of the council shall be determined by the joint committee, but shall include representatives from the various interested parties as determined solely by the joint committee.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-9. Form of Application for Permit; Information Required

The chief shall prescribe a form of application for all permits for any activity specified in section eight of this article and, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no other discharge permit or discharge authorization from any other state department, agency, commission, board or officer is required for such activity except that which is required from the office of miners' health, safety and training pursuant to section seventy-six, article two, chapter twenty-two-a of this code. All applications must be submitted on a form as prescribed above. An applicant shall furnish all information reasonably required by any such form, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a plan of maintenance and proposed method of operation of the activity or activities. Until all such required information is furnished, an application is not a complete application. The division shall protect any information (other than effluent data) contained in such permit application form, or other records, reports or plans as confidential upon a showing by any person that such information, if made public, would divulge methods or processes entitled to protection as trade secrets of such person. If, however, the information being considered for confidential treatment is contained in a national pollutant discharge elimination form, the chief or board shall forward such information to the regional administrator of the United States environmental protection agency for concurrence in any determination of confidentiality.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-12. Inspections; Orders to Compel Compliance With Permits; Service of Orders

After issuance of the division's permit for any activity the director may make field inspections of the work on the activity, and, after completion thereof, may inspect the completed activity, and, from time to time, may inspect the maintenance and operation of the activity.
To compel compliance with the terms and conditions of the division's permit for any activity, the director is hereby authorized, after at least twenty days' notice, to make and enter an order revoking, suspending or modifying, in whole or in part, such permit for cause including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Violation of any term or condition of the permit;
(2) Obtaining a permit by misrepresentation, or failure to disclose fully all relevant facts; or
(3) Change in any condition that requires either a temporary or permanent reduction or elimination of the permitted discharge, release, escape, deposit or disposition.
The director shall cause a copy of any such order to be served by registered or certified mail or by a law-enforcement officer upon the person to whom any such permit was issued. The director shall also cause a notice to be served with a copy of such order, which notice shall advise such person of the right to appeal to the board by filing a notice of appeal on the form prescribed by the board for such purpose, with the board, in accordance with the provisions of, and within the time specified in, section seven, article one, chapter twenty-two-b of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-13. Voluntary Water Quality Monitors; Appointment; Duties; Compensation

The director is hereby authorized to appoint voluntary water quality monitors to serve at the will and pleasure of the director. All such monitors appointed pursuant hereto shall be eighteen years of age or over and shall be bona fide residents of this state.
Such monitors are authorized to take water samples of the waters of this state at such times and at such places as the director shall direct and to forward such water samples to the director for analysis.
The director is authorized to provide such monitors with such sampling materials and equipment as he or she deems necessary: Provided, That such equipment and materials shall at all times remain the property of the state and shall be immediately returned to the director upon his or her direction.
Such monitors shall not be construed to be employees of this state for any purpose except that the director is hereby authorized to pay such monitors a fee not to exceed 50¢ for each sample properly taken and forwarded to the director as hereinabove provided.
The director shall conduct schools to instruct said monitors in the methods and techniques of water sample taking and issue to said monitors an identification card or certificate showing their appointment and training.
Upon a showing that any water sample as herein provided was taken and analyzed in conformity with standard and recognized procedures, such sample and analysis is admissible in any court of this state for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this article.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-14. Information to Be Filed by Certain Persons With Division; Tests

Any and all persons directly or indirectly discharging or depositing treated or untreated sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes, or the effluent therefrom, into or near any waters of the state shall file with the director such information as the director may reasonably require on forms prescribed for such purpose, including, but not limited to, data as to the kind, characteristics, amount and rate of flow of such discharge or deposit. If the director has reasonable cause to believe that any establishment is, or may be, polluting the waters of the state, the director may require any person owning, operating or maintaining such establishment to furnish such information as may reasonably be required to ascertain whether such establishment is, or may be causing such pollution, and the director may conduct any test or tests that he or she may deem necessary or useful in making his or her investigation and determination.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-15. Orders of Director to Stop or Prevent Discharges or Deposits or Take Remedial Action; Service of Orders

If the director, on the basis of investigations, inspections and inquiries, determines that any person who does not have a valid permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this article is causing the pollution of any of the waters of the state, or does on occasions cause pollution or is violating any rule or effluent limitation of the board or the director, he or she shall either make and enter an order directing such person to stop such pollution or the violation of the rule or effluent limitation of the board or director, or make and enter an order directing such person to take corrective or remedial action. Such order shall contain findings of fact upon which the director based the determination to make and enter such order. Such order shall also direct such person to apply forthwith for a permit in accordance with the provisions of sections eight, nine and eleven of this article. The director shall fix a time limit for the completion of such action. Whether the director shall make and enter an order to stop such pollution or shall make and enter an order to take remedial action, in either case the person so ordered may elect to cease operations of the establishment deemed to be the source of such discharge or deposits causing pollution, if the pollution referred to in the director's order shall be stopped thereby.
The director shall cause a copy of any such order to be served by registered or certified mail or by a law-enforcement officer upon such person. The director shall also cause a notice to be served with the copy of such order, which notice shall advise such person of the right to appeal to the board by filing a notice of appeal, on the form prescribed by the board for such purpose, with the board, in accordance with the provisions of article one, chapter twenty-two-b of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-16. Compliance With Orders of Director

Any person upon whom any order of the director or any order of the board in accordance with the provisions of section fifteen of this article, or article one, chapter twenty-two-b of this code has been served shall fully comply therewith.
When such person is ordered to take remedial action and does not elect to cease operation of the establishment deemed to be the source of such pollution, or when such ceasing does not stop the pollution, he or she shall forthwith apply for a permit under and in accordance with the provisions of sections eight, nine and eleven of this article. No such remedial action shall be taken until a permit therefor has been issued; however, receipt of a permit does not in and of itself constitute remedial action.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-17. Power of Eminent Domain; Procedures; Legislative Finding

(a) When any person who is owner of an establishment is ordered by the director to stop or prevent pollution or the violation of the rules of the board or director or to take corrective or remedial action, compliance with which order will require the acquisition, construction or installation of a new treatment works or the extension or modification of or an addition to an existing treatment works, (which acquisition, construction, installation, extension, modification or addition of or to a treatment works pursuant to such order is referred to in this section as "such compliance") such person may exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided in chapter fifty-four of this code, to acquire such real property or interests in real property as may be determined by the director to be reasonably necessary for such compliance.
(b) Upon application by such person and after twenty days' written notice to all persons whose property may be affected, the director shall make and enter an order determining the specific real property or interests in real property, if any, which are reasonably necessary for such compliance. In any proceeding under this section, the person seeking to exercise the right of eminent domain herein conferred shall establish the need for the amount of land sought to be condemned and that such land is reasonably necessary for the most practical method for such compliance.
(c) The right of eminent domain herein conferred does not apply to the taking of any dwelling house or for the taking of any land within five hundred feet of any such dwelling house.
(d) The Legislature hereby declares and finds that the taking and use of real property and interests in real property determined to be reasonably necessary for such compliance promotes the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of this state by reducing and abating pollution in the waters of this state in which the public at large has an interest and otherwise; that such taking and use are necessary to provide and protect a safe, pure and adequate water supply to the municipalities and citizens of the state; that because of topography, patterns of land development and ownership and other factors it is impossible in many cases to effect such compliance without the exercise of the power of eminent domain and that the use of real property or interests in real property to effect such compliance is a public use for which private property may be taken or destroyed.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-19. Emergency Orders

Whenever the director finds that any discharge, release, escape, deposit or disposition of treated or untreated sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes into any waters within this state, when considered alone or in conjunction with other discharges, releases, escapes, deposits or dispositions, constitutes a clear, present and immediate danger to the health of the public, or to the fitness of a private or public water supply for drinking purposes, the director may, with the concurrence in writing of the commissioner of the bureau of public health, without notice or hearing, issue an order or orders requiring the immediate cessation or abatement of any such discharge, release, escape, deposit or disposition, and the cessation of any drilling, redrilling, deepening, casing, fracturing, pressuring, operating, plugging, abandoning, converting or combining of any well, or requiring such other action to be taken as the director, with the concurrence aforesaid, deems necessary to abate such danger.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other section of this article, any order issued under the provisions of this section is effective immediately and may be served in the same manner as a notice may be served under the provisions of section two, article seven, chapter twenty-nine-a of the code. Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately, but on notice of appeal to the board shall be afforded a hearing as promptly as possible, and not later than ten days after the board receives such notice of appeal. On the basis of such hearing, and within five days thereafter, the board shall make and enter an order continuing the order of the director in effect, revoking it, or modifying it. For the purpose of such appeal and judicial review of the order entered following an appeal hearing, all pertinent provisions of article one, chapter twenty-two-b of this code shall govern.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-20. Control by State as to Pollution; Continuing Jurisdiction

No right to violate the rules of the board or director or to continue existing pollution of any of the waters of the state exists nor may such right be acquired by virtue of past or future pollution by any person. The right and control of the state in and over the quality of all waters of the state are hereby expressly reserved and reaffirmed. It is recognized that with the passage of time, additional efforts may have to be made by all persons toward control and reduction of the pollution of the waters of the state, irrespective of the fact that such persons may have previously complied with all orders of the director or board. It is also recognized that there should be continuity and stability respecting pollution control measures taken in cooperation with, and with the approval of, the director, or pursuant to orders of the director or board. When a person is complying with the terms and conditions of a permit granted pursuant to the provisions of section eleven of this article or when a person has completed remedial action pursuant to an order of the director or board, additional efforts may be required wherever and whenever the rules of the board or director or effluent limitations are violated or the waters of the state are polluted by such person.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-21. Appeal to Environmental Quality Board

Any person adversely affected by an order made and entered by the director in accordance with the provisions of this article, or aggrieved by failure or refusal of the chief to act within the specified time as provided in subsection (e) of section eleven of this article on an application for a permit or aggrieved by the terms and conditions of a permit granted under the provisions of this article, may appeal to the environmental quality board, pursuant to the provisions of article one, chapter twenty-two-b of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-23. Priority of Actions

All applications under section twenty-two of this article and all proceedings for judicial review under article one, chapter twenty-two-b of this code shall take priority on the docket of the circuit court in which pending, and shall take precedence over all other civil cases. Where such applications and proceedings for judicial review are pending in the same court at the same time, such applications shall take priority on the docket and shall take precedence over proceedings for judicial review.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-25. Civil Liability; Natural Resources Game Fish and Aquatic Life Fund; Use of Funds

If any loss of game fish or aquatic life results from a person or persons' failure or refusal to discharge any duty imposed upon such person by this article, section seven, article six of this chapter or article eleven-a of this chapter, either the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources or the Division of Environmental Protection, or both jointly may initiate a civil action on behalf of the State of West Virginia to recover from such person or persons causing such loss a sum equal to the cost of replacing such game fish or aquatic life. Any moneys so collected shall be deposited in a special revenue fund entitled "Natural Resources Game Fish and Aquatic Life Fund" and shall be expended as hereinafter provided. The fund shall be expended to stock waters of this state with game fish and aquatic life. Where feasible, the Director of the Division of Natural Resources shall use any sum collected in accordance with the provisions of this section to stock waters in the area in which the loss resulting in the collection of such sum occurred. Any balance of such sum shall remain in said fund and be expended to stock state-owned and -operated fishing lakes and ponds, wherever located in this state, with game fish and aquatic life.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-26. Exceptions as to Criminal Liabilities

The criminal liabilities may not be imposed pursuant to section twenty-four of this article for violations resulting from accident or caused by an act of God, war, strike, riot or other catastrophe as to which negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such person was not the proximate cause.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-27. Existing Rights and Remedies Preserved; Article for Benefit of State Only

It is the purpose of this article to provide additional and cumulative remedies to abate the pollution of the waters of the state and nothing herein contained shall abridge or alter rights of action or remedies now or hereafter existing, nor shall any provisions in this article, or any act done by virtue of this article, be construed as estopping the state, municipalities, public health officers, or persons as riparian owners or otherwise, in the exercise of their rights to suppress nuisances or to abate any pollution now or hereafter existing, or to recover damages.
The provisions of this article inure solely to and are for the benefit of the people generally of the State of West Virginia, and this article is not intended to in any way create new, or enlarge existing rights of riparian owners or others. An order of the director or of the board, the effect of which is to find that pollution exists, or that any person is causing pollution, or any other order, or any violation of any of the provisions of this article shall give rise to no presumptions of law or findings of fact inuring to or for the benefit of persons other than the State of West Virginia.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-28. Functions, Services and Reports of Director of the Division; Obtaining Information From Others

The director shall make surveys and investigations of the water resources of the state and shall maintain an inventory of the water resources of the state and to the extent practicable shall divide the state into watershed drainage areas in making this inventory. The director shall investigate and study the problems of agriculture, industry, conservation, health, water pollution, domestic and commercial uses and allied matters as they relate to the water resources of the state, and shall make and formulate comprehensive plans and recommendations for the further development, improvement, protection, preservation, regulation and use of such water resources, giving proper consideration to the hydrologic cycle in which water moves. The director shall provide to the Legislature a biennial report on the quality of the state's waters, including an evaluation of the information which has been obtained in accordance with the requirements of this section and shall include in this report the plans and recommendations which have been formulated pursuant to the requirements of this section. Where possible the timing and content of this report shall be structured so that it may also be used to fulfill any federal program reporting requirements. The report shall include reasons for such plans and recommendations, as well as any changes in the law which are deemed desirable to effectuate such plans and recommendations. Such report shall be made available to the public at a reasonable price to be determined by the director.
The director may request, and, upon request, is entitled to receive from any agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof, or from any other person who engages in a commercial use or controls any of the water resources of the state, such necessary information and data as will assist in obtaining a complete picture of the water resources of the state and the existing control and commercial use thereof. The director shall reimburse such agencies, political subdivisions and other persons for any expenses, which would not otherwise have been incurred, in making such information and data available.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act › §22-11-29. Reimbursement of Response Costs

(a) The secretary may recover through civil action or cooperative agreements with responsible persons, the actual, reasonable and necessary amounts expended by the department for the purpose of responding to, evaluating or overseeing a response to a spill or accidental discharge of any pollutant that enters the waters of the state, or taking measures required to prevent a spill or accidental discharge of any pollutant from entering the waters of the state. The department shall provide the responsible party an itemized invoice of the expenditures that the department seeks to recover.
(b) All moneys recovered by the secretary shall be deposited into the water quality management fund created in section ten of this article and shall be used for future responses to, evaluation or oversight of a response to a spill or accidental discharge of any pollutant that enters the waters of the state, or measures required to be taken to prevent a spill or accidental discharge of any pollutant from entering the waters of the state.
(c) The amounts that may be collected by the secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may include any reasonable and necessary costs incurred by a third party who is not a responsible party and who, with the prior authorization of the secretary or the chief inspector, responds to a spill or accidental discharge that enters or threatens to enter the waters of the state. The department is not responsible for or may not be held liable for costs incurred by the third party responder.
(d) Any civil action instituted pursuant to this section may be brought in the county in which the spill or accidental discharge occurred or the county in which the response occurred.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11A. Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Pilot Program › §22-11A-2. Definitions

Unless the context in which used clearly requires a different meaning, as used in this article:
(a) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection;
(b) "Carbon dioxide sequestration" means the injection of carbon dioxide and associated constituents into subsurface geologic formations intended to prevent its release into the atmosphere;
(c) "Carbon dioxide sequestration facilities" means the surface equipment used for transport, storage and injection of carbon dioxide, excluding pipelines used to transport carbon dioxide from one or more capture facilities to the sequestration injection site or sites.
(d) "Carbon dioxide sequestration site" means the underground carbon dioxide formations where the carbon dioxide is stored or is intended to be stored;
(e) "Excursion" means the migrating of carbon dioxide at or beyond the boundary of a carbon dioxide sequestration site; and
(f) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11A. Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Pilot Program › §22-11A-3. Prohibition of Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Without a Permit; Injection of Carbon Dioxide for the Purpose of Enhancing the Recovery of Oil or Other Minerals Not Subject to the Provisions of This Article, Application to Existing Sequestration Sites

(a) The provisions of 22-11-1
et seq
. of this code apply to all permits issued pursuant to this article except, where the express provisions of this article conflict with the provisions of 22-11-1
et seq
. of this code, the express provisions of this article control.
(b) Except as set forth in subsection (c) of this section, no person shall engage in underground carbon dioxide sequestration in this state unless authorized by a permit issued by the department in accordance with 22-11-1
et seq
. or 22-11B-1
et seq
. of this code.
(c) The injection of carbon dioxide for purposes of enhancing the recovery of oil or other minerals pursuant to a project approved by the department shall not be subject to the provisions of this article.
(d) The provisions of this article apply to all permits issued and to all applications for permits submitted prior to the effective date of 22-11B-1
et seq
. of this code. If the permit holder for an underground carbon dioxide sequestration facility that was granted a permit prior to the effective date of 22-11B-1
et seq
. of this code seeks a modification of that permit after that article became effective, then the permit holder shall have the option to proceed either pursuant to the provisions of this article or the provisions of 22-11B-1
et seq
. of this code.
(e) Any entity owning or operating an underground carbon dioxide sequestration facility which has commenced construction on or before the effective date of this article is hereby authorized to continue operating until such time as the secretary has established operational and procedural requirements applicable to such existing facilities and the entity owning or operating such facility has had a reasonable opportunity to comply with those requirements.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11A. Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Pilot Program › §22-11A-4. General Powers and Duties of the Secretary With Respect to Carbon Dioxide Sequestration

(a) The secretary, after receiving public comment and after consultation with the state geologist and the working group established in section six of this article, shall promulgate legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this article, including without limitation:
(1) The requirements for issuance of permits for carbon dioxide sequestration;
(2) The requirements for carbon dioxide sequestration permit applications;
(3) The issuance of notice following the approval of a permit application, which shall identify the location at which the public may examine the permit, describe the nature of the public's opportunity to comment, and list any public hearing that may be held in connection with the permit. The secretary shall allow no less than thirty days for public comment on the draft permit and may for good cause extend the comment period up to an additional thirty days. Notice of any public hearing shall be given no less than thirty days prior to its conduct; and
(4) The creation of subclasses of wells within the existing Underground Injection Control (UIC) program administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Part C of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. §300h, et seq., to protect human health, safety and the environment and to allow for the permitting of the sequestration of carbon dioxide;
(5) The appropriate bonding or other financial assurance procedures necessary to ensure that carbon dioxide sequestration sites and facilities will be constructed, operated and closed in accordance with the purposes and provisions of this article; and
(6) The proper duration of the post-closure care period for carbon dioxide sequestration sites.
(b) The secretary shall propose amendments to the rules promulgated under this section and take such action as may be required in order to fulfill the state's primary responsibility for assuring compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, including any amendments thereto.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11A. Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Pilot Program › §22-11A-7. Reporting and Accountability

The department shall include within the reports to the Legislature required by section six, article twelve of this chapter its observations concerning all aspects of compliance with this article, including without limitation the promulgation of rules, the formation of the carbon dioxide sequestration working group, the permitting process and any pertinent changes to federal rules or regulations.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11A. Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Pilot Program › §22-11A-8. Oil, Natural Gas and Coalbed Methane Activities at Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Sites; Extraction of Sequestered Carbon Dioxide

(a) Nothing in this article shall be deemed to affect the otherwise lawful right of a mineral owner to drill or bore through a carbon dioxide sequestration site, if done in accordance with the rules promulgated under this article for protecting the carbon dioxide sequestration site against the escape of carbon dioxide.
(b) Nothing in this article is intended to impede or impair the ability of an oil, natural gas or coalbed methane operator to inject carbon dioxide through an approved enhanced oil, natural gas or coalbed methane recovery project and to establish, verify, register and sell emission reduction credits associated with the project.
(c) The Office of Oil and Gas shall have jurisdiction over any subsequent extraction of sequestered carbon dioxide that is intended for commercial or industrial purposes.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11B. Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Storage › §22-11B-1. Statement of Purpose

It is the purpose of this article to:
(1) Foster, encourage, promote, and establish a legal and regulatory framework for the development and approval of underground carbon dioxide sequestration facilities;
(2) Designate a state agency responsible for establishing standards and rules for the development and approval of underground carbon dioxide sequestration and storage facilities; and
(3) Safeguard, protect and enforce the correlative rights of operators, mineral owners, pore space owners, and surface owners in that each may obtain just and reasonable compensation for their respective contribution for underground carbon dioxide sequestration facilities.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11B. Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Storage › §22-11B-3. Prohibition of Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Without a Permit; Injection of Carbon Dioxide for the Purpose of Enhancing the Recovery of Oil or Other Minerals Not Subject to the Provisions of This Article

(a) It is unlawful for any person to commence work on, or to operate, a carbon dioxide sequestration facility or storage site without first securing a Class VI underground injection control permit from the secretary or from the US EPA.
(b) The injection of carbon dioxide for purposes of enhancing the recovery of oil or other minerals pursuant to a project approved by the secretary shall not be subject to the provisions of this article.
(c) If an oil, natural gas or coalbed methane well operator proposes to convert its operations to carbon dioxide sequestration, then the underground carbon dioxide sequestration facility shall be regulated pursuant to this article and 22-11-1
et seq
. of this code.
(d) All applications for permits submitted after the effective date of this article shall be governed by the provisions of this article. Permits issued and applications submitted prior to the effective date of this article shall be governed by the provisions of 22-11-1
et seq
. and 22-11A-1
et seq
. of this code. If the holder of a Class VI underground injection control permit or other carbon dioxide sequestration permit, granted prior to the effective date of this article, seeks a modification of that permit after this article becomes effective, then the permit holder shall have the option to proceed either according to the provisions of this article or the provisions of 22-11A-1
et seq
. of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11B. Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Storage › §22-11B-5. Public Participation in Permit Process, Notices, Public Hearing

(a) Public notice of an application for a permit required under this article shall allow at least 30 days for public comment. The secretary shall specify the required contents of the public notice.
(b) The secretary shall send the public notice to the applicant, who shall be responsible for publication of a Class 1 legal advertisement of the notice by a date and in a paper specified by the secretary. Upon publication, the applicant shall send the secretary a copy of the certificate of publication. The costs of publication shall be borne by the applicant.
(c) Notice of an application for a permit shall be served to each mineral lessee, mineral owner, and pore space owner with a legal interest that involves the storage reservoir.
(d) Notice of an application for a permit shall be served to each surface owner of land overlying the storage reservoir.
(e) Notice of an application for a permit shall be served to any additional persons that the secretary requires.
(f) Service of individual notices required by this section shall be through personal service, by registered mail, or by any method of delivery that requires a receipt or signature confirmation.
(g) The secretary and/or the commission shall hold a public hearing whenever he or she finds, on the basis of requests, a significant degree of public interest of issues relevant to the draft permit. The secretary and/or the commission may also hold a public hearing at his or her discretion if a hearing may assist in clarifying one or more issues involved in the permit decision. Should a public hearing be held, notice of the hearing shall be provided in the same manner as set forth above with respect to public notice of the preparation of a draft permit.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11B. Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Storage › §22-11B-6. Permit and Order Provisions; Identification of Agent

(a) The secretary may include in any permit or order all things necessary to carry out this articles objectives and to protect and adjust the respective rights and obligations of persons affected by a carbon dioxide sequestration facility.
(b) Every well operator required to designate an agent under this article shall, within five days after the termination of the designation, notify the secretary of the termination and designate a new agent.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11B. Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Storage › §22-11B-7. Additional Rulemaking Authority

In addition to the rules specified in 22-11B-4 of this code, the secretary and the commission may promulgate such emergency, interpretive, legislative, and procedural rules, pursuant to the provisions of 29A-3-1
et seq
. of this code, useful or necessary to carry out the requirements of this article, including, but not limited to:
(1) The issuance of Underground Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Completion Certificates;
(2) The administration of the Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Administrative Fund and the Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Trust Fund;
(3) The issuance of determinations of the amounts of carbon dioxide stored pursuant to individual underground injection control permits issued for that purpose, based upon requests for storage determination;
(4) The issuance of orders allowing for seismic studies and other steps to explore for suitable locations of carbon dioxide geologic storage; and
(5) The issuance of collective storage orders as a part of the development of a proposed carbon dioxide sequestration project.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11B. Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Storage › §22-11B-8. Environmental Protection, Other Law

(a) For the purposes of this article and in all other respects, any carbon dioxide injected and sequestered in accordance with an underground injection control permit issued by the secretary shall not be considered a pollutant and the operation and existence of such a carbon dioxide sequestration facility shall not be considered a public nuisance.
(b) The secretarys and the commissions authority as set forth in this article shall not otherwise limit the authority or jurisdiction of the secretary and the commission in any manner.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11B. Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Storage › §22-11B-9. Oil, Natural Gas and Coalbed Methane Activities at Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Sites; Extraction of Sequestered Carbon Dioxide

(a) Nothing in this article shall be deemed to affect the otherwise lawful right of a mineral owner to drill or bore through a carbon dioxide storage facility if done in accordance with the secretarys underground injection control permit rules or any other applicable legal requirements which are intended to protect the carbon dioxide storage facility against the escape of carbon dioxide.
(b) Nothing in this article is intended to impede or impair the ability of an oil, natural gas, or coalbed methane operator to inject carbon dioxide through an approved enhanced oil, natural gas, or coalbed methane recovery project and to establish, verify, register, and sell emission reduction credits associated with the project.
(c) Subject to compliance with any applicable underground injection control regulations or permit, the Office of Oil and Gas shall have jurisdiction to review and approve of any subsequent extraction of sequestered carbon dioxide from a permitted underground carbon dioxide storage facility that is intended for commercial or industrial purposes.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 11B. Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Storage › §22-11B-11. Ownership of Carbon Dioxide

The storage operator shall be the owner of the carbon dioxide injected into and stored in a storage reservoir approved under this article and shall maintain ownership and control until the secretary issues a Certificate of Underground Carbon Dioxide Storage Project Completion. While the storage operator has ownership, the operator is liable for any damage the carbon dioxide may cause, including damage caused by carbon dioxide that escapes from the storage facility.