Hazardous waste facility: permitting: interim status.

Existing law requires the facilities handling hazardous waste to obtain a permit from the Department of Toxic Substances Control. Existing law authorizes a hazardous waste facility in existence on a specified date or on the effective date of any statute or regulation that subjects the facility to the hazardous waste permitting requirements to continue to operate under a grant of interim status pending the review and decision of the department on the permit application. This bill would require the department, on or before December 31, 2015, to issue a final permit decision on an application for a hazardous waste facilities permit that is submitted by a facility operating under a grant of interim status on or before January 1, 1986, by either issuing a final permit or a final denial of the application. The bill would, except as specified, terminate the grant of interim status for such a facility on December 31, 2015, or on the date on which the department issues a final permit decision on the application, whichever is earlier. For other facilities granted interim status, the bill would terminate that status, at times determined based on specified factors. Existing law authorizes the department to temporarily suspend a permit, registration, or certificate before a hearing if the department determines that the action is necessary to prevent or mitigate an imminent and substantial danger to the public health and the environment. This bill would authorize the temporary suspension of a facility operating under an expired permit that has been extended because of a pending renewal application or under an interim status if the department determines that the action is necessary to prevent or mitigate a risk to the public health and the environment.