N.J. Admin. Code § 7:1F-2.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 7:1F-2.2 - Design and construction

(a) Prior to construction of any underground storage cavern system and as part of any application for an approval to construct pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1F-4, the owner and operator shall submit, to the Department, design specifications and construction plans for the system, including:

1. A paper copy, together with a digital version as specified at (b) below, of an accurate map to scale showing the location, dimensions, and depth of any proposed underground storage cavern and of all shafts and wells drilled or proposed to be drilled;

2. Any engineering design drawing(s) of the system;

3. Any construction and engineering calculations associated with the underground storage cavern system, including any supporting documentation;

4. The specifications of the equipment and material to be installed or otherwise used during construction;

5. A description of the methods of construction to be utilized, including, but not limited to, methods of excavation and shaft construction and grouting;

6. The maximum allowable operating pressure, maximum and minimum design pressures, and maximum and minimum design temperatures of the system;

7. The maximum and minimum operating pressures and temperatures of the system, based on the regulated substance;

8. The codes and standards upon which the design specifications are based;

9. Corrosion control measures; and

10. A dust management plan that sets forth measures to control particulate dust from construction activities and sources that include, but are not limited to, muck piles, loading and haulage, material transfer points, crushers, face drilling, blasting, roof bolting, skip loading, dumping, surface work areas, and roadways.

(b) The map specified at (a)1 above must meet the following requirements:

1. The map must be prepared in a digital environment that is compatible with the Department's Geographic Information System. Compatible digital formats include AutoCAD and Arc GIS;

2. The map must be projected in New Jersey State Plane feet (North American Datum 1983); and

3. The map must contain a legend block stating the name and affiliation of the preparer of the map, the preparer's signature and seal, the name and location of the facility, the scale or scales employed, the sources of the data used, and the date of preparation of the map.

(c) The owner and operator of the system shall comply with the following construction requirements:

1. Construction of the system and storage of materials related to construction, including any excavated materials, must be completed in accordance with the Mine Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 34:6-98.1 et seq., the Radiation Protection Act, N.J.S.A. 26:2D-1 et seq., and the Explosives Act, N.J.S.A. 21:1A-128 et seq., as applicable, and all other applicable local, State, and Federal laws.

2. A system must be constructed in adherence with the design specifications submitted to the Department pursuant to (a) above. If during construction, the owner or operator deviates from the Department-approved design specifications, the owner and operator shall notify the Department, in writing, and provide updated design specifications certified by a licensed professional engineer for approval by the Department.

i. For purposes of this section, a deviation that affects the regulated substance or the maximum and/or minimum operating temperatures and/or pressures shall be considered a major modification and require additional evaluation and approval, including approval pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1F-5.2.

3. In addition to the requirements for well construction at N.J.A.C. 7:9D, any well or shaft must be constructed with casing of appropriate depth, cementing, tubing, pipes, and other equipment to ensure and maintain mechanical integrity.

4. The separation between any individual underground storage caverns within a new or expanded facility shall be a distance sufficient to ensure that the caverns are able to maintain mechanical integrity and can be safely operated, and that the migration of the regulated substance(s) between caverns is prevented.

5. Corrosion control measures must be implemented during construction.

6. Instrumentation to measure the pressure, level, flow rate, and temperature of any regulated substance that is injected or with drawn from the cavern must be installed and calibrated.

7. A ground water detection monitoring system must be installed, at appropriate locations and depths, to detect any releases from the system to ground water.

8. A ground water level (high and low) monitoring system must be installed at appropriate locations and depths.

9. A dust control plan must be implemented during all construction activities.

10. An atmospheric detection system for accidental releases must be installed.

11. A soil vapor monitoring system designed to detect any migration of the regulated substance in the soil above the cavern area must be installed.

12. The system must include a first emergency shutdown valve (first ESV) on any penetration shaft used to inject or withdraw the regulated substance into the cavern, except the vapor pressure relief line. The first ESV must be, at a minimum:

i. Fail-safe;

ii. Fire-safe;

iii. Part of an emergency shutdown system that will close the valve upon detection of excess flow or pressure, gas leak detection, or fire;

iv. Capable of being activated locally at the cavern area and remotely; and

v. Incapable of being opened remotely.

(d) The owner shall maintain, and control, all of the surface and mineral rights of all privately owned land within 300 feet of the surface footprint of the cavern.

(e) All information required pursuant to this section shall be completed, in accordance with accepted industry standards and certified by a licensed professional engineer.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:1F-2.2

Adopted by 55 N.J.R. 905(a), effective 5/1/2023