New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 1F - UNDERGROUND STORAGE CAVERNS
Appendix - FINANCIAL FORMS

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024

Adopted:

Effective:

A.1

Letter from chief financial officer:

To demonstrate that it meets the financial test under N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2(f) 1 or 2, the chief financial officer of the system or guarantor shall prepare and sign a letter worded exactly as follows, except that the instructions in brackets are to be replaced by the relevant information and the brackets deleted.

LETTER FROM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I am the chief financial officer of [insert: name and address of the owner or operator, or guarantor]. This letter is in support of the use of [insert: "the financial test of self-insurance" and/or "guarantee"] to demonstrate financial responsibility for activities arising from decommissioning [insert: name(s) and address(es) of facility(ies)] in the amount of at least [insert: dollar amount].

A [insert: "financial test" and/or "guarantee"] is also used by this [insert: "owner or operator" or "guarantor"] to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in the following amounts under the following State rules or regulations (i.e. RCRA, ECRA, UST, etc.):

[insert: applicable rules or regulations and amounts, if none so state]

This [insert: "owner or operator" or "guarantor"] has not received an adverse opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or a "going concern" qualification from an independent auditor on his or her financial statements for the latest completed fiscal year.

[Fill in the information for Alternative I if the criteria of N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2(f) 1 based on tangible net worth are being used to demonstrate compliance with the financial test requirements. Fill in the information for Alternative II if the criteria based on bond rating or net working capital of N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2(f) 2 are being used to demonstrate compliance with the financial test requirements.]

ALTERNATIVE I

ALTERNATIVE II

[For both Alternative I and Alternative II complete the certification with this statement.]

I hereby certify that the wording of this letter is identical to the wording specified in Appendix of N.J.A.C. 7:1F, as such rules were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

[Signature]

[Name]

[Title]

[Date]

A.2 Guarantee:

The guarantee must be worded as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:

GUARANTEE

Guarantee made this [insert: date] by [insert: name of guaranteeing entity], a business entity organized under the laws of the State of [insert: name of state], herein referred to as guarantor, to the Department and to any and all third parties, and obligees, on behalf of [insert: name of owner or operator] of [insert: business address of owner or operator].

(1) Guarantor meets or exceeds the financial test criteria of N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2(f) and agrees to comply with the requirements for guarantors as specified in N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2(g) through (j).

(2) [Insert: name of owner or operator] owns or operates the following underground storage cavern system covered by this guarantee: [Insert: name(s) and address(es) of the facility(ies)] This guarantee satisfies the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2 for assuring funding in the amount of [insert: dollar amount] for activities arising from the decommissioning of the above identified facility(ies).

(3) [Insert appropriate phrase: "On behalf of our subsidiary" (if guarantor is corporate parent of the owner or operator); "On behalf of our affiliate" (if guarantor is a related firm of the owner or substantial business relationship with owner or operator); "Incident to our business relationship with" (if guarantor is providing the guarantee as an incident to a substantial business relationship with owner or operator)] [insert: name of owner or operator], guarantor guarantees to the Department and to any and all third parties that:

In the event that [insert: name of owner or operator] fails to provide alternate coverage within 30 days after receipt of a notice of cancellation of this guarantee, the guarantor, upon instructions from the Department, shall fund a standby trust fund in an amount sufficient to cover decommissioning activities, in the minimum amount specified in N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2(a).

In the event that the Department determines that [insert: name of owner or operator] has failed to perform decommissioning activities for an above-identified facility, the guarantor, upon written instructions from the Department, shall fund a standby trust in an amount sufficient to cover decommissioning activities, in the minimum amount specified in N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2(a).

(4) Guarantor agrees that if, at the end of any fiscal year before cancellation of this guarantee, the guarantor fails to meet the financial test criteria of N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2(f), guarantor shall send within 120 days of such failure, by certified mail, notice to [insert: name of owner or operator] and the Department. The guarantee will terminate 120 days from the date of receipt of the notice by [insert: name of owner or operator] or 120 days from the date of receipt of the notice by the Department, whichever is later, as evidenced by the return receipt.

(5) Guarantor agrees to notify [insert: name of owner or operator] by certified mail of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming guarantor as debtor, within 10 days after commencement of the proceeding.

(6) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee notwithstanding any modification or alternation of any obligation of [insert: name of owner or operator] pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1F.

(7) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee for so long as [insert: name of owner or operator] must comply with the applicable financial responsibility requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2 for the above-identified facility, except that guarantor may cancel this guarantee by sending notice by certified mail to [insert: name of owner or operator] and the Department, such cancellation to become effective no earlier than 120 days after receipt of such notice by [insert: name of owner or operator], as evidenced by the return receipt.

(8) The guarantor's obligation does not apply to any of the following:

(a) Any obligation of [insert: name of owner or operator] under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;

(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert: name of owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [insert: name of owner or operator];

(c) Bodily injury or property damage not related to a discharge arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;

(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaned to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert: name of owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a discharge from the facility;

(e) Bodily damage or property damage for which [insert: name of owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:1E-6.2.

(9) Guarantor expressly waives notice of acceptance of this guarantee by the Department or by [insert: name of owner or operator].

I hereby certify that the wording of this guarantee is identical to the wording specified in Appendix of N.J.A.C. 7:1F as such rules were constituted on the effective date shown immediately below.

Effective date: ___________________________________

[Name of guarantor]

[Authorized signature for guarantor]

[Name of person signing]

[Title of person signing]

Signature of witness or notary: ______________________

A.3 Insurance or risk retention group:

Each insurance policy must be amended by an endorsement worded as specified in paragraph (1) or evidenced by a certificate of insurance worded as specified in paragraph (2), except that instructions in brackets must be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:

(1) ENDORSEMENT

NAME: __[name of each covered location]_______

ADDRESS: _[address of each covered location]______

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

POLICY NUMBER: ______________________________

PERIOD OF COVERAGE __[current policy period]_____

NAME OF [INSURER OR RISK RETENTION GROUP]:

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

ADDRESS OF [INSURER OR RISK RETENTION GROUP]:

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

NAME OF INSURED: ____________________________

ADDRESS OF INSURED: ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

Endorsement:

1. This endorsement certifies that the policy to which the endorsement is attached provides liability insurance, subject to public policy considerations, covering the following facility(ies): [insert: location name(s) and address(es) of each covered facility] for decommissioning activities.

The limits of liability are [insert the dollar amount of the Insurer's or Group's liability for each facility covered], exclusive of legal defense costs. This coverage is provided under [insert: policy number]. The effective date of said policy is [date].

2. The insurance afforded with respect to such decommissioning activities is subject to all of the terms and conditions of the policy; provided, however, that any provisions inconsistent with subsections (a) through (e) of this Paragraph 2 are hereby amended to conform with subsections (a) through (e):

a. Bankruptcy or insolvency of the insured shall not relieve the [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] of its obligations under the policy to which this endorsement is attached.

b. The [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] is liable for the payment of amounts within any deductible applicable to the policy to the provider of decommissioning activities, with a right of reimbursement by the insured for any such payment made by the [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"]. This provision does not apply with respect to that amount of any deductible for which coverage is demonstrated under another mechanism or combination of mechanisms.

c. Whenever requested by the Department, [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] agrees to furnish to the Department a signed duplicate original of the policy and all endorsements.

d. Cancellation or any other termination of the insurance by the [insert: "Insurer" or Group"], except for nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation by the insured, will be effective only upon written notice and only after the expiration of 60 days after the date on which the insured receives the written notice or 60 days after the date on which the Department receives the written notice, whichever is later. Cancellation for nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation by the insured will be effective only upon written notice and only after the expiration of a minimum of 10 days after the date on which the insured receives the written notice or 10 days after the date on which the Department receives the written notice, whichever is later.

[Insert for claims-made policies:

e. The insurance covers claims otherwise covered by the policy that are reported to the [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] within six months of the effective date of the cancellation or nonrenewal of the policy, except where the new or renewed policy has the same retroactive date or a retroactive date earlier than that of the prior policy, and that arise out of any cleanout and removal activities that commenced after the policy retroactive date, if applicable, and prior to such policy renewal or termination date.]

I hereby certify that the wording of this instrument is identical to the wording in Appendix of N.J.A.C. 7:1F and that the [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] is [Insert appropriate phrase: "licensed to transact the business of insurance" or "eligible to provide insurance as an excess or surplus lines insurer in New Jersey".]

[Signature of authorized representative of Insurer or Risk Retention Group]

[Name of person signing]

[Title of person signing], Authorized Representative of [name of Insurer or Risk Retention Group]

[Address of Representative]

(2) CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE

NAME: _[name of each covered location]________

ADDRESS: __[address of each covered location]_____

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

POLICY NUMBER: _____________________________

ENDORSEMENT (if applicable): ___________________

PERIOD OF COVERAGE __[current policy period]_____

NAME OF [INSURER OR RISK RETENTION GROUP]:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

ADDRESS OF [INSURER OR RISK RETENTION GROUP]:

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

NAME OF INSURED: ____________________________

ADDRESS OF INSURED: ___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Certification:

1. [insert: Name of Insurer or Risk Retention Group], the [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"], as identified above, hereby certifies that it has issued liability insurance, subject to public policy considerations, covering the following facility(ies): [List the name(s) and address(es) of each covered facility] for decommissioning activities arising from operating the facility(ies) identified above.

The limits of liability are [insert the dollar amount of the "each occurrence" and "annual aggregate" limits of the Insurer's or Group's liability for each covered facility], exclusive of legal defense costs. This coverage is provided under [insert: policy number]. The effective date of said policy is [insert: date].

2. The [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] further certifies the following with respect to the insurance described in Paragraph 1:

a. Bankruptcy or insolvency of the insured shall not relieve the [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] of its obligations under the policy to which this certificate applies.

b. The [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] is liable for the payment of amounts within any deductible applicable to the policy to the provider of decommissioning activities, with a right of reimbursement by the insured for any such payment made by the [insert: "Insurer" or Group"]. This provision does not apply with respect to that amount of any deductible for which coverage is demonstrated under another mechanism or combination of mechanisms.

c. Whenever requested by the Department, the [insert: Insurer" or "Group"] agrees to furnish to the Department a signed duplicate original of the policy and all endorsements.

d. Cancellation or any other termination of the insurance by the [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"], except for nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation by the insured, will be effective only upon written notice and only after the expiration of 60 days after the date on which the insured receives the written notice or 60 days after the date on which the Department receives the written notice, whichever is later. Cancellation for nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation by the insured will be effective only upon written notice and only after the expiration of a minimum of 10 days after the date on which the insured receives the written notice or 10 days after the date on which the Department receives the written notice, whichever is later.

[Insert for claims-made policies:

e. The insurance covers claims otherwise covered by the policy that are reported to the [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] within six months of the effective date of the cancellation or nonrenewal of the policy, except where the new or renewed policy has the same retroactive date or a retroactive date earlier than that of the prior policy, and that arise out of any cleanout and removal activities that commenced after the policy retroactive date, if applicable, and prior to such policy renewal or termination date.]

I hereby certify that the wording of this instrument is identical to the wording in Appendix of N.J.A.C. 7:1F and that the [insert: "Insurer" or "Group"] is [Insert appropriate phrase: "licensed to transact the business of insurance" or "eligible to provide insurance as an excess or surplus lines insurer in the State"].

[Signature of authorized representative of Insurer or Risk Retention Group]

[Type name]

[Title], Authorized Representative of [name Insurer or Risk Retention Group]

[Address of Representative]

A.4 Surety Bond:

The surety bond must be worded as follows, except that instructions in brackets must be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:

PERFORMANCE BOND

DATE BOND EXECUTED: ________________________

PERIOD OF COVERAGE: _________________________

PRINCIPAL: [legal name and business address of owner or operator]

TYPE OF ORGANIZATION: [insert "individual," "joint venture," "partnership," or "corporation"]__________

STATE OF INCORPORATION (If Applicable): _______

SURETY(IES): __[names(s) and business address(es)]___

SCOPE OF COVERAGE: [List the name(s) and address(es) of the facility(ies). List the coverage guaranteed by the bond: cleanout, removal, and decommissioning activities.]

PENAL SUMS OF BOND: $_____________________ [insert: "per facility", if appropriate]

SURETY'S BOND NUMBER: _____________________

Know all Persons by These Presents, that we, the Principal and Surety(ies), hereto are firmly bound to the Department, in the above penal sums for the payment of which we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns jointly and severally; provided that, where the Surety(ies) are corporations acting as co-sureties, we the Sureties, bind ourselves in such sums jointly and severally only for the purpose of allowing a joint action or actions against any or all of us, and for all other purposes each Surety binds itself, jointly and severally with the Principal, for the payment of such sums only as is set forth opposite the name of such Surety, but if no limit of liability is indicated, the limit of liability shall be the full amount of the penal sums.

Whereas said Principal is required under N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11 to provide financial assurance for decommissioning activities arising from operating the facility(ies) identified above, and

Whereas said Principal shall establish a standby trust fund as is required when a surety bond is used to provide such financial assurance;

Now, therefore, the conditions of the obligation are such that if the Principal shall faithfully perform cleanout and decommissioning activities arising from operating the facility(ies) identified above, or if the Principal shall provide alternate financial assurance within 120 days after the date the notice of cancellation is received by the Principal from the Surety(ies), then this obligation shall be null and void; otherwise, it is to remain in full force and effect.

Such obligation does not apply to any of the following:

(a) Any obligation of [owner or operator] under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;

(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [owner or operator];

(c) Bodily injury or property damage not related to a discharge arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;

(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaned to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a discharge from the facility;

(e) Bodily injury or property damage for which [owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2.

Upon notification by the Department that the Principal has failed to perform decommissioning activities in accordance with the Department's instructions, as guaranteed by this bond, the Surety(ies) shall either perform cleanout and/or decommissioning activities in accordance with the Department's instructions, or place funds in an amount up to the penal sum into the standby trust fund as directed by the Department.

Upon notification by the Department that the Principal has failed to provide alternate financial assurance within 60 days after the date the notice of cancellation is received by the Principal from the Surety(ies) and that the Department has determined or suspects that a discharge has occurred, the Surety(ies) shall place funds in an amount not exceeding the penal sum into the standby trust fund as directed by the Department.

The Surety(ies) shall become liable on this bond obligation only when the Principal has failed to fulfill the conditions described above.

The Surety(ies) hereby waive(s) notification of amendments to applicable laws, statutes, rules, and regulations and agrees that no such amendment shall in any way alleviate its (their) obligation on this bond.

The liability of the Surety(ies) shall not be discharged by any payment or succession of payments hereunder, unless and until such payment or payments shall amount in the penal sum shown on the face of the bond, but in no event shall the obligation of the Surety(ies) hereunder exceed the amount of said penal sum.

The Surety(ies) may cancel the bond by sending notice of cancellation by certified mail to the Principal and the Department, provided, however, that cancellation shall not occur during the 120 days beginning on the date of receipt of the notice of cancellation by the Principal or the date of receipt of the notice of cancellation by the Department, whichever is later, as evidenced by the return receipt.

The Principal may terminate this bond by sending written notice to the Surety(ies).

In Witness Thereof, the Principal and Surety(ies) have executed this Bond and have affixed their seals on the date set forth above.

The persons whose signatures appear below hereby certify that they are authorized to execute this surety bond on behalf of the Principal and Surety(ies) and that the wording of this surety bond is identical to the wording specified in Appendix of N.J.A.C. 7:1F as such rules were constituted on the date this bond was executed.

[Signature(s)]

[Name(s)]

[Title(s)]

[Corporate seal]

[Name and address]

State of Incorporation: ____________________________

Liability limit: $ _____________________________

[Signature(s)]

[Name(s) and title(s)]

[Corporate seal]

[For every co-surety, provide signature(s), corporate seal, and other information in the same manner as for Surety above.]

Bond premium: $ ____________________________

A.5 Letter of Credit:

The letter of credit must be worded as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:

IRREVOCABLE STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT

[Name and address of issuing institution]

[Name and address of the Department]

Dear Sir or Madam: We hereby establish our Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit No. ____ in your favor, at the request and for the account of [insert: name of owner or operator name] of [insert: address] up to the amount of [in words] U.S. dollars ($ [dollar amount]), available upon presentation of:

(1) your sight draft, bearing reference to this letter of credit, No. ____, and

(2) your signed statement reading as follows: "I certify that the amount of the draft is payable pursuant to rules issued under authority of the N.J.S.A. 58:10-35.1 through 35.4, and that this letter of credit is not being drawn on to cover any of the following:

(a) Any obligation of [insert: name of owner or operator] under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;

(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert: name of owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [insert: name of owner or operator];

(c) Bodily injury or property damage not related to a discharge arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;

(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaned to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert: name of owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a discharge from the facility;

(e) Bodily injury or property damage for which [insert: name of owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:1F-6.2"

This letter of credit may be drawn on to cover decommissioning activities arising from operating the facility(ies) identified below in the amount of [in words] $ [dollar amount].

[name(s) and address(es) of facility(ies)]

This letter of credit is effective as of [insert: date] and shall expire on [insert: date], but such expiration date shall be automatically extended for a period of [insert: at least the length of the original term] on [insert: expiration date] and on each successive expiration date, unless, at least 120 days before the current expiration date, we notify [insert: name of owner or operator] and the Department by certified mail that we have decided not to extend this letter of credit beyond the current expiration date. In the event that [insert: name of owner or operator] is so notified, any unused portion of the credit shall be available upon presentation of your sight draft for 120 days after the date of receipt by [insert: name of owner or operator] or for 120 days after the date of receipt by the Department, as shown on the signed return receipt.

Whenever this letter of credit is drawn on under and in compliance with the terms of this credit, we shall duly honor such draft upon presentation to us, and we shall deposit the amount of the draft directly into the standby trust fund of [insert: name of owner or operator] in accordance with your instructions.

We certify that the wording of this letter of credit is identical to the wording specified in Appendix of N.J.A.C. 7:1F, as such rules were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

[Signature(s) and title(s) of official(s) of issuing institution]

[Date]

This credit is subject to [insert the appropriate phrase: "the most recent edition of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, published by the International Chamber of Commerce," or "the Uniform Commercial Code"].