§22-11A-4. General powers and duties of the secretary with respect to carbon dioxide sequestration.

(a) The secretary, after receiving public comment and after consultation with the state geologist and the working group established in section six of this article, shall promulgate legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this article, including without limitation:

(1) The requirements for issuance of permits for carbon dioxide sequestration;

(2) The requirements for carbon dioxide sequestration permit applications;

(3) The issuance of notice following the approval of a permit application, which shall identify the location at which the public may examine the permit, describe the nature of the public's opportunity to comment, and list any public hearing that may be held in connection with the permit. The secretary shall allow no less than thirty days for public comment on the draft permit and may for good cause extend the comment period up to an additional thirty days. Notice of any public hearing shall be given no less than thirty days prior to its conduct; and

(4) The creation of subclasses of wells within the existing Underground Injection Control (UIC) program administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Part C of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. §300h, et seq., to protect human health, safety and the environment and to allow for the permitting of the sequestration of carbon dioxide;

(5) The appropriate bonding or other financial assurance procedures necessary to ensure that carbon dioxide sequestration sites and facilities will be constructed, operated and closed in accordance with the purposes and provisions of this article; and

(6) The proper duration of the post-closure care period for carbon dioxide sequestration sites.

(b) The secretary shall propose amendments to the rules promulgated under this section and take such action as may be required in order to fulfill the state's primary responsibility for assuring compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, including any amendments thereto.