(a) After the period of postclosure, the commissioner shall determine by a procedure established under the provisions of regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of section 22a-116, if the hazardous waste facility has a reasonable alternative use. If the commissioner determines that the hazardous waste facility has a reasonable alternative use, he shall so certify. If the commissioner determines that the hazardous waste facility has no reasonable alternative use, the owner may transfer ownership of such facility to the state without compensation. After transfer the hazardous waste facility shall be under the jurisdiction of the commissioner who shall provide for its monitoring, maintenance and care. All claims for injuries incurred after transfer of ownership shall be against the state. The state shall not be liable for injuries incurred prior to the transfer of ownership.

(b) A Disposal Facility Trust Fund shall be established and financed by annual assessments levied on the owners or operators of all hazardous waste land disposal facilities and by the owners or operators of hazardous waste nonland disposal facilities in amounts to be determined by the commissioner. Each owner or operator of an assessed facility shall pay an amount fixed by the commissioner based on the volume, type, or weight of hazardous waste processed at such facility. The aggregate paid yearly by all those assessed shall not be more than one million dollars. The assessment imposed on any owner or operator of a hazardous waste facility shall be limited to one per cent of the gross revenues of each facility owned or operated. The method and amount of payment shall be fixed by the commissioner under the provisions of regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54. When the fund balance exceeds ten million dollars, upon determination by the commissioner, no further assessments shall be made. When the balance of the fund is less than ten million dollars, the commissioner may reinstitute imposition and collection of the assessment. The fund shall be used for costs incurred by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for monitoring and maintenance of any hazardous waste facility and for any liability of the state pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. The fund shall also be used to cover any liability incurred during the hazardous waste facility operation, closure and postclosure period not covered by the operator's financial responsibility requirements under subsection (d) of section 22a-122. The fund shall be used only if costs are not paid from funds established in accordance with the provisions of the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-510). In determining assessments for the Disposal Facility Trust Fund, the commissioner shall consider assessments levied pursuant to said act and assessments levied pursuant to this section shall be limited to an amount required to meet costs not paid from funds established pursuant to said act. Payments from the fund shall be made by the Treasurer upon authorization of the commissioner.

(P.A. 81-369, S. 11, 20; P.A. 82-472, S. 156, 183; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 82-472 provided in Subsec. (a) that the regulations be adopted in accordance with Sec. 22a-116(d), rather than Ch. 54 of the general statutes; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Department of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 2011.

Cited. 207 C. 706.