Current through Register Vol. 54, No.43, October 26, 2024
Section 265a.168 - Bond forfeiture(a) The Department will forfeit the bond for a hazardous waste storage, treatment or disposal facility when it determines that any of the following occur: (1) The owner or operator fails and continues to fail to conduct the hazardous waste storage, treatment or disposal activities in accordance with this article, the act, the statutes in section 505(a) of the act (35 P. S. § 6018.505(a)), the terms and conditions of the permit or orders of the Department.(2) The owner or operator abandons the facility without providing closure or postclosure care, or otherwise fails to properly close the facility in accordance with this article, the act, the statutes in section 505(a) of the act, the terms and conditions of the permit or orders of the Department.(3) The owner or operator fails, and continues to fail to take those measures determined necessary by the Department to prevent effects upon the environment before, during and after closure and postclosure care.(4) The owner or operator or financial institution becomes insolvent, fails in business, is adjudicated bankrupt, a delinquency proceeding is initiated under Article V of The Insurance Department Act of 1921 (40 P. S. §§ 221.1-221.63), files a petition in bankruptcy, in liquidation, for dissolution or for a receiver, or has a receiver appointed by the court, or had action initiated to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the license or certificate of authority of the financial institution, or a creditor of the owner or operator attaches or executes a judgment against the owner's or operator's equipment, materials or facilities at the permit area or on the collateral pledged to the Department; and the owner or operator or financial institution cannot demonstrate or prove the ability to continue to operate in compliance with this article, the act, the statutes in section 505(a) of the act, the terms and conditions of the permit and orders of the Department.(b) If the Department determines that bond forfeiture is appropriate, the Department will do the following: (1) Send written notification by mail to the owner or operator, the host municipality and the surety on the bond, if any, of the Department's determination to forfeit the bond and the reasons for the forfeiture.(2) Advise the owner or operator and surety, if any, of their right to appeal to the EHB under section 1921-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 510-21).(3) Proceed to collect on the bond as provided by applicable statutes for the collection of defaulted bonds or other debts.(4) Deposit all money collected from defaulted bonds into the Solid Waste Abatement Fund. Use moneys received from the forfeiture of bonds, and interest accrued, first to accomplish final closure of, and to take steps necessary and proper to remedy and prevent adverse environmental effects from the facility upon which liability was charged on the bonds. Excess moneys may be used for other purposes consistent with the Solid Waste Abatement Fund and the act.(5) Forfeit all bond deposited for the facility, including all additional amounts of bond posted for the facility.The provisions of this §265a.168 amended January 9, 2009, effective 1/10/2009, 39 Pa.B. 201.The provisions of this §265a.168 amended under sections 105, 402 and 501 of the Solid Waste Management Act (35 P. S. §§ 6018.105, 6018.402 and 6018.501); sections 303 and 305(e)(2) of the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (35 P. S. §§ 6020.303 and 6020.305(e)(2)); section 5, 402 and 501 of The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. §§ 691.5, 691.402 and 691.501); and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. §§ 510-20).
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 265a.155 (relating to special terms and conditions for surety bonds); 25 Pa. Code § 265a.156 (relating to special terms and conditions for collateral bonds and bonds pledging corporate guarantee for closure); and 25 Pa. Code § 265a.166 (relating to closure and postclosure certification).