HB2901 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 26825 CPF 53189 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB2901

Introduced 2/16/2023, by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

415 ILCS 5/58.2
415 ILCS 5/58.7

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency may require an RA for a site to make an advance partial payment of $2,500 (rather than an advance partial payment not exceeding $5,000 or one-half the total anticipated costs of the Agency, whichever sum is less). Makes changes concerning the persons who must review and approve site remediation plans. Allows reviews undertaken by the Agency or a RELPEG to be completed and the decisions communicated to the RA within 90 days after the request for review or approval if 2 or more plans or reports are submitted concurrently. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision, the Agency is not required to take action on any submission from or on behalf of an RA if the RA has failed to pay all fees due. Requires any deadline for Agency action on such a submission to be tolled until the fees are paid in full. Makes other changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Environmental Protection Act is amended by changing Sections 58.2 and 58.7 as follows:

(415 ILCS 5/58.2)

Sec. 58.2. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this Title shall have the meanings given to them in this Section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Agrichemical facility" means a site on which agricultural pesticides are stored or handled, or both, in preparation for end use, or distributed. The term does not include basic manufacturing facility sites.

"ASTM" means the American Society for Testing and Materials.

"Area background" means concentrations of regulated substances that are consistently present in the environment in the vicinity of a site that are the result of natural conditions or human activities, and not the result solely of releases at the site.

"Brownfields site" or "brownfields" means a parcel of real property, or a portion of the parcel, that has actual or perceived contamination and an active potential for redevelopment.

"Class I groundwater" means groundwater that meets the Class I Potable Resource groundwater criteria set forth in the Board rules adopted under the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act.

"Class III groundwater" means groundwater that meets the Class III Special Resource Groundwater criteria set forth in the Board rules adopted under the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act.

"Carcinogen" means a contaminant that is classified as a Category A1 or A2 Carcinogen by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists; or a Category 1 or 2A/2B Carcinogen by the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer; or a "Human Carcinogen" or "Anticipated Human Carcinogen" by the United States Department of Health and Human Service National Toxicological Program; or a Category A or B1/B2 Carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Integrated Risk Information System or a Final Rule issued in a Federal Register notice by the USEPA as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1995.

"Licensed Professional Engineer" (LPE) means a person, corporation, or partnership licensed under the laws of this State to practice professional engineering.

"Licensed Professional Geologist" means a person licensed under the laws of the State of Illinois to practice as a professional geologist.

"RELPEG" means a Licensed Professional Engineer or a Licensed Professional Geologist engaged in review and evaluation under this Title.

"Man-made pathway" means constructed routes that may allow for the transport of regulated substances including, but not limited to, sewers, utility lines, utility vaults, building foundations, basements, crawl spaces, drainage ditches, or previously excavated and filled areas.

"Municipality" means an incorporated city, village, or town in this State. "Municipality" does not mean a township, town when that term is used as the equivalent of a township, incorporated town that has superseded a civil township, county, or school district, park district, sanitary district, or similar governmental district.

"Natural pathway" means natural routes for the transport of regulated substances including, but not limited to, soil, groundwater, sand seams and lenses, and gravel seams and lenses.

"Person" means individual, trust, firm, joint stock company, joint venture, consortium, commercial entity, corporation (including a government corporation), partnership, association, State, municipality, commission, political subdivision of a State, or any interstate body including the United States Government and each department, agency, and instrumentality of the United States.

"Regulated substance" means any hazardous substance as defined under Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-510) and petroleum products including crude oil or any fraction thereof, natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel (or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas).

"Remedial action" means activities associated with compliance with the provisions of Sections 58.6 and 58.7.

"Remediation Applicant" (RA) means any person seeking to perform or performing investigative or remedial activities under this Title, including an the owner or operator of the site or a person persons authorized by law or consent to act on behalf of or in lieu of an the owner or operator of the site.

"Remediation costs" means reasonable costs paid for investigating and remediating regulated substances of concern consistent with the remedy selected for a site.

For purposes of Section 58.14, "remediation costs" shall not include costs incurred prior to January 1, 1998, costs incurred after the issuance of a No Further Remediation Letter under Section 58.10 of this Act, or costs incurred more than 12 months prior to acceptance into the Site Remediation Program.

For the purpose of Section 58.14a, "remediation costs" do not include any costs incurred before January 1, 2007, any costs incurred after the issuance of a No Further Remediation Letter under Section 58.10, or any costs incurred more than 12 months before acceptance into the Site Remediation Program.

"Residential property" means any real property that is used for habitation by individuals and other property uses defined by Board rules such as education, health care, child care and related uses.

"River Edge Redevelopment Zone" has the meaning set forth under the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act.

"Site" means any single location, place, tract of land or parcel of property, or portion thereof, including contiguous property separated by a public right-of-way.

"Regulated substance of concern" means any contaminant that is expected to be present at the site based upon past and current land uses and associated releases that are known to the Remediation Applicant based upon reasonable inquiry.

(Source: P.A. 95-454, eff. 8-27-07.)

(415 ILCS 5/58.7)

Sec. 58.7. Review and approvals.

(a) Requirements. All plans and reports that are submitted pursuant to this Title shall be submitted for review or approval in accordance with this Section.

(b) Review and evaluation by the Agency.

(1) Except for sites excluded under subdivision (a) (2) of Section 58.1, the Agency shall, subject to available resources, agree to provide review and evaluation services for activities carried out pursuant to this Title for which the RA requested the services in writing. As a condition for providing such services, the Agency may require that the RA for a site:

(A) Conform with the procedures of this Title;

(B) Allow for or otherwise arrange site visits or other site evaluation by the Agency when so requested;

(C) Agree to perform the Remedial Action Plan as approved under this Title;

(D) Agree to pay any reasonable costs incurred and documented by the Agency in providing such services;

(E) Make an advance partial payment to the Agency for such anticipated services in the an amount of $2,500 , acceptable to the Agency, but not to exceed $5,000 or one-half of the total anticipated costs of the Agency, whichever sum is less; and

(F) Demonstrate, if necessary, authority to act on behalf of or in lieu of the owner or operator.

(2) Any moneys received by the State for costs incurred by the Agency in performing review or evaluation services for actions conducted pursuant to this Title shall be deposited in the Hazardous Waste Fund.

(3) An RA requesting services under subdivision (b) (1) of this Section may, at any time, notify the Agency, in writing, that Agency services previously requested are no longer wanted. Within 180 days after receipt of the notice, the Agency shall provide the RA with a final invoice for services provided until the date of such notifications.

(4) The Agency may invoice or otherwise request or demand payment from a RA for costs incurred by the Agency in performing review or evaluation services for actions by the RA at sites only if:

(A) The Agency has incurred costs in performing response actions, other than review or evaluation services, due to the failure of the RA to take response action in accordance with a notice issued pursuant to this Act;

(B) The RA has agreed in writing to the payment of such costs;

(C) The RA has been ordered to pay such costs by the Board or a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to this Act; or

(D) The RA has requested or has consented to Agency review or evaluation services under subdivision (b) (1) of this Section.

(5) The Agency may, subject to available resources, agree to provide review and evaluation services for response actions if there is a written agreement among parties to a legal action or if a notice to perform a response action has been issued by the Agency.

(c) Review and evaluation by a RELPEG Licensed Professional Engineer or Licensed Professional Geologist. A RA may elect to contract with a Licensed Professional Engineer or, in the case of a site investigation report only, a Licensed Professional Geologist, who will perform review and evaluation services on behalf of and under the direction of the Agency relative to the site activities.

(1) Prior to entering into the contract with the RELPEG, the RA shall notify the Agency of the RELPEG to be selected. The Agency and the RA shall discuss the potential terms of the contract.

(2) At a minimum, the contract with the RELPEG shall provide that the RELPEG will submit any reports directly to the Agency, will take his or her directions for work assignments from the Agency, and will perform the assigned work on behalf of the Agency.

(3) Reasonable costs incurred by the Agency shall be paid by the RA directly to the Agency in accordance with the terms of the review and evaluation services agreement entered into under subdivision (b) (1) of Section 58.7.

(4) In no event shall the RELPEG acting on behalf of the Agency be an employee of the RA or the owner or operator of the site or be an employee of any other person the RA has contracted to provide services relative to the site.

(d) Review and approval. All reviews required under this Title shall be carried out by the Agency or a RELPEG contracted by the RA pursuant to subsection (c) , both under the direction of a Licensed Professional Engineer or, in the case of the review of a site investigation only, a Licensed Professional Geologist.

(1) All review activities conducted by the Agency or a RELPEG shall be carried out in conformance with this Title and rules promulgated under Section 58.11.

(2) Subject to the limitations in subsection (c) and this subsection (d), the specific plans, reports, and activities that the Agency or a RELPEG may review include:

(A) Site Investigation Reports and related activities;

(B) Remediation Objectives Reports;

(C) Remedial Action Plans and related activities; and

(D) Remedial Action Completion Reports and related activities.

(3) Only the Agency shall have the authority to approve, disapprove, or approve with conditions a plan or report as a result of the review process including those plans and reports reviewed by a RELPEG. If the Agency disapproves a plan or report or approves a plan or report with conditions, the written notification required by subdivision (d) (4) of this Section shall contain the following information, as applicable:

(A) An explanation of the Sections of this Title that may be violated if the plan or report was approved;

(B) An explanation of the provisions of the rules promulgated under this Title that may be violated if the plan or report was approved;

(C) An explanation of the specific type of information, if any, that the Agency deems the applicant did not provide the Agency;

(D) A statement of specific reasons why the Title and regulations might not be met if the plan or report were approved; and

(E) An explanation of the reasons for conditions if conditions are required.

(4) Upon approving, disapproving, or approving with conditions a plan or report, the Agency shall notify the RA in writing of its decision. In the case of approval or approval with conditions of a Remedial Action Completion Report, the Agency shall prepare a No Further Remediation Letter that meets the requirements of Section 58.10 and send a copy of the letter to the RA.

(5) All reviews undertaken by the Agency or a RELPEG shall be completed and the decisions communicated to the RA within 60 days of the request for review or approval of a single plan or report and within 90 days after the request for review or approval of 2 or more plans or reports submitted concurrently. The RA may waive the deadline upon a request from the Agency. If the Agency disapproves or approves with conditions a plan or report or fails to issue a final decision within the applicable 60-day or 90-day 60 day period and the RA has not agreed to a waiver of the deadline, the RA may, within 35 days, file an appeal to the Board. Appeals to the Board shall be in the manner provided for the review of permit decisions in Section 40 of this Act.

(e) Standard of review. In making determinations, the following factors, and additional factors as may be adopted by the Board in accordance with Section 58.11, shall be considered by the Agency when reviewing or approving plans, reports, and related activities, or the RELPEG, when reviewing plans, reports, and related activities:

(1) Site Investigation Reports and related activities: Whether investigations have been conducted and the results compiled in accordance with the appropriate procedures and whether the interpretations and conclusions reached are supported by the information gathered. In making the determination, the following factors shall be considered:

(A) The adequacy of the description of the site and site characteristics that were used to evaluate the site;

(B) The adequacy of the investigation of potential pathways and risks to receptors identified at the site; and

(C) The appropriateness of the sampling and analysis used.

(2) Remediation Objectives Reports: Whether the remediation objectives are consistent with the requirements of the applicable method for selecting or determining remediation objectives under Section 58.5. In making the determination, the following factors shall be considered:

(A) If the objectives were based on the determination of area background levels under subsection (b) of Section 58.5, whether the review of current and historic conditions at or in the immediate vicinity of the site has been thorough and whether the site sampling and analysis has been performed in a manner resulting in accurate determinations;

(B) If the objectives were calculated on the basis of predetermined equations using site specific data, whether the calculations were accurately performed and whether the site specific data reflect actual site conditions; and

(C) If the objectives were determined using a site specific risk assessment procedure, whether the procedure used is nationally recognized and accepted, whether the calculations were accurately performed, and whether the site specific data reflect actual site conditions.

(3) Remedial Action Plans and related activities: Whether the plan will result in compliance with this Title, and rules adopted under it and attainment of the applicable remediation objectives. In making the determination, the following factors shall be considered:

(A) The likelihood that the plan will result in the attainment of the applicable remediation objectives;

(B) Whether the activities proposed are consistent with generally accepted engineering practices; and

(C) The management of risk relative to any remaining contamination, including but not limited to, provisions for the long-term enforcement, operation, and maintenance of institutional and engineering controls, if relied on.

(4) Remedial Action Completion Reports and related activities: Whether the remedial activities have been completed in accordance with the approved Remedial Action Plan and whether the applicable remediation objectives have been attained.

(f) All plans and reports submitted for review shall include a Licensed Professional Engineer's certification that all investigations and remedial activities were carried out under his or her direction and, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, the work described in the plan or report has been completed in accordance with generally accepted engineering practices, and the information presented is accurate and complete. In the case of a site investigation report prepared or supervised by a Licensed Professional Geologist, the required certification may be made by the Licensed Professional Geologist (rather than a Licensed Professional Engineer) and based upon generally accepted principles of professional geology.

(g) In accordance with Section 58.11, the Agency shall propose and the Board shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this Section. At a minimum, the rules shall detail the types of services the Agency may provide in response to requests under subdivision (b) (1) of this Section and the recordkeeping it will utilize in documenting to the RA the costs incurred by the Agency in providing such services.

(h) Public participation.

(1) The Agency shall develop guidance to assist RA's in the implementation of a community relations plan to address activity at sites undergoing remedial action pursuant to this Title.

(2) The RA may elect to enter into a services agreement with the Agency for Agency assistance in community outreach efforts.

(3) The Agency shall maintain a registry listing those sites undergoing remedial action pursuant to this Title.

(4) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Section, the RA of a site undergoing remedial activity pursuant to this Title may elect to initiate a community outreach effort for the site.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, the Agency is not required to take action on any submission under this Title from or on behalf of an RA if the RA has failed to pay all fees due pursuant to an invoice or other request or demand for payment under this Title. Any deadline for Agency action on such a submission shall be tolled until the fees due are paid in full.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)