Chapter NR 665

NR 665.0145(3)(i) (i) Following a determination by the department that the owner or operator has failed to perform long-term care in accordance with the approved long-term care plan and other license requirements, the department may draw on the letter of credit.

NR 665.0145(3)(j) (j) If the owner or operator does not establish alternate financial assurance as specified in this section and obtain written approval of the alternate assurance from the department within 90 days after receipt by both the owner or operator and the department of a notice from the issuing institution that it has decided not to extend the letter of credit beyond the current expiration date, the department will draw on the letter of credit. The department may delay the drawing if the issuing institution grants an extension of the term of the credit. During the last 30 days of any extension the department will draw on the letter of credit if the owner or operator has failed to provide alternate financial assurance as specified in this section and obtain written approval of the assurance from the department.

NR 665.0145(3)(L) (L) The department will authorize the release of the letter of credit when any of the following apply:

NR 665.0145(3)(L)1. 1. An owner or operator substitutes alternate financial assurance as specified in this section.

NR 665.0145(3)(L)2. 2. The department releases the owner or operator from the requirements of this section in accordance with sub. (10).

NR 665.0145(4) (4) Long-term care insurance.

NR 665.0145(4)(a) (a) An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of this section by obtaining long-term care insurance which conforms to the requirements of this subsection and submitting a certificate of the insurance to the department. By June 1, 1984 the owner or operator shall submit to the department a letter from an insurer stating that the insurer is considering issuance of long-term care insurance conforming to the requirements of this subsection to the owner or operator. By August 30, 1984, the owner or operator shall submit the certificate of insurance to the department or establish other financial assurance as specified in this section. At a minimum, the insurer shall be licensed to transact the business of insurance, or eligible to provide insurance as an excess or surplus lines insurer, in one or more States. The department, after conferring with the Wisconsin insurance commissioner, shall determine the acceptability of a surplus lines or captive insurance company to provide coverage for proof of financial responsibility. The department shall ask the insurance commissioner to provide a financial analysis of the insurer including a recommendation as to the insurer’s ability to provide the required coverage. The department may require a periodic review of the acceptability of a surplus lines or captive insurance company.

NR 665.0145(4)(b) (b) The wording of the certificate of insurance shall be identical to the wording on the department form specified in s. NR 664.0151 (5).

NR 665.0145(4)(c) (c) The long-term care insurance policy shall be issued for a face amount at least equal to the current long-term care cost estimate, except as provided in sub. (8). The term “face amount” means the total amount the insurer is obligated to pay under the policy. Actual payments by the insurer will not change the face amount, although the insurer’s future liability will be lowered by the amount of the payments.

NR 665.0145(4)(d) (d) The long-term care insurance policy shall guarantee that funds will be available to provide long-term care of the facility whenever the long-term care period begins. The policy shall also guarantee that once long-term care begins the insurer will be responsible for paying out funds, up to an amount equal to the face amount of the policy, upon the direction of the department, to the party or parties as the department specifies.

NR 665.0145(4)(e) (e) An owner or operator or any other person authorized to perform long-term care may request reimbursement for long-term care expenditures by submitting itemized bills to the department. Within 60 days after receiving bills for long-term care activities, the department will instruct the insurer to make reimbursements in those amounts as the department specifies in writing, if the department determines that the long-term care expenditures are in accordance with the approved long-term care plan or otherwise justified. If the department does not instruct the insurer to make the reimbursements, the department will provide a detailed written statement of reasons.

NR 665.0145(4)(f) (f) The owner or operator shall maintain the policy in full force and effect until the department consents to termination of the policy by the owner or operator as specified in par. (k). Failure to pay the premium, without substitution of alternate financial assurance as specified in the section, will constitute a significant violation of this chapter, warranting a remedy as the department deems necessary. The violation will be deemed to begin upon receipt by the department of a notice of future cancellation, termination or failure to renew due to nonpayment of the premium, rather than upon the date of expiration.

NR 665.0145(4)(g) (g) Each policy shall contain a provision allowing assignment of the policy to a successor owner or operator. The assignment may be conditional upon consent of the insurer, provided the consent is not unreasonably refused.

NR 665.0145(4)(h) (h) The policy shall provide that the insurer may not cancel, terminate or fail to renew the policy unless a replacement insurance policy or other proof of financial responsibility under this section is provided to the department by the owner or operator. The automatic renewal of the policy shall, at a minimum, provide the insured with the option of renewal at the face amount of the expiring policy. If the insurer elects to cancel, terminate or fail to renew the policy, the insurer shall provide notice by certified mail to the owner or operator and the department not less than 120 days prior to the proposed cancellation date. Cancellation, termination or failure to renew may not occur, however, during the 120 days beginning with the date of receipt of the notice by both the department and the owner or operator, as evidenced by the return receipts. Cancellation, termination or failure to renew may not occur and the policy will remain in full force and effect in the event that on or before the date of expiration any of the following apply:

NR 665.0145(4)(h)1. 1. The department deems the facility abandoned.

NR 665.0145(4)(h)2. 2. Interim license is denied, suspended or revoked.

NR 665.0145(4)(h)3. 3. Closure is ordered by the department or a U.S. district court or other court of competent jurisdiction.

NR 665.0145(4)(h)4. 4. The owner or operator is named as debtor in a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding under 11 USC.

NR 665.0145(4)(h)5. 5. The premium due is paid.

NR 665.0145(4)(i) (i) Whenever the current long-term care cost estimate increases to an amount greater than the face amount of the policy during the operating life of the facility, the owner or operator, within 60 days after the increase, shall either cause the face amount to be increased to an amount at least equal to the current long-term care cost estimate and submit evidence of the increase to the department, or obtain other financial assurance as specified in this section to cover the increase. Whenever the current long-term care cost estimate decreases during the operating life of the facility, the face amount may be reduced to the amount of the current long-term care cost estimate following written approval by the department.

NR 665.0145(4)(j) (j) Commencing on the date that liability to make payments pursuant to the policy accrues, the insurer will thereafter annually increase the face amount of the policy. The increase shall be equivalent to the face amounts of the policy, less any payments made, multiplied by an amount equivalent to 85 percent of the most recent investment rate or of the equivalent coupon-issue yield announced by the U.S. treasury for 26-week treasury securities.

NR 665.0145(4)(k) (k) The department will give written consent to the owner or operator that the department may terminate the insurance policy when any of the following apply:

NR 665.0145(4)(k)1. 1. An owner or operator substitutes alternate financial assurance as specified in this section.

NR 665.0145(4)(k)2. 2. The department releases the owner or operator from the requirements of this section in accordance with sub. (10).

NR 665.0145(5) (5) Net Worth Test for long-term care.

NR 665.0145(5)(a) (a) An owner or operator of a disposal facility may use the net worth test to provide financial responsibility if all of the following are met:

NR 665.0145(5)(a)1. 1. Only a company that meets the definition in s. 289.41 (1) (b), Stats., may use the net worth method of providing proof of financial responsibility.

NR 665.0145(5)(a)2. 2. The owner shall comply with the net worth test requirements of s. 289.41 (4), (6), and (7), Stats., and the minimum security requirements of s. 289.41 (9), Stats., whichever are applicable. The updated net worth test information required under s. 289.41 (4), Stats., shall be submitted annually to the department within 90 days after the close of the company’s fiscal year.

NR 665.0145(5)(b) (b) For companies with more than one facility, the total cost of compliance for all facilities shall be used to determine the net worth to closure and long-term care cost ratio.

NR 665.0145(6) (6) Long term care deposit with the department. An owner may deposit cash, certificates of deposit or U.S. government securities with the department. The deposit must be accompanied by a signed duplicate original of Form 4430-028 as specified in s. NR 664.0151 (14). The amount of the deposit shall be determined according to s. NR 665.0144 and shall be submitted as part of an interim license application. Cash deposits placed with the department shall be segregated and invested in an interest bearing account. All interest payments shall be accumulated in the account. The department shall have the right to use part or all of the funds to carry out the long-term care requirements of the written long-term care plan or the applicable requirements in s. NR 665.0118 if the owner fails to do so.

NR 665.0145(7) (7) Escrow account.

NR 665.0145(7)(a) (a) An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of this section by establishing a long-term care escrow account which conforms to the requirements of this subsection and submitting an originally signed duplicate of the escrow agreement to the department. An owner or operator of a new facility shall submit the originally signed duplicate of the escrow agreement to the department at least 60 days before the date on which hazardous waste is first received for disposal. The escrow agent shall be an entity which has the authority to act as an escrow agent and the escrow account shall be established with a bank or financial institution which is regulated and examined by a federal or state agency.

NR 665.0145(7)(b) (b) The wording of the escrow agreement shall be identical to the wording on the department form specified in s. NR 664.0151 (6) (a), and the escrow agreement shall be accompanied by a formal certification of acknowledgment as specified in s. NR 664.0151 (6) (b). Schedule A of the escrow agreement shall be updated within 60 days after a change in the amount of the current long-term care cost estimate covered by the agreement.

NR 665.0145(7)(c) (c) Payments into the escrow account shall be made annually by the owner or operator over the term of the interim license and over the remaining operating life of the facility as estimated in the closure plan. For the purposes of this section, this period is referred to as the “pay-in period.” The payments into the long-term care escrow account shall be made as follows:

NR 665.0145(7)(c)1. 1. For a new facility, the first payment shall be made before the initial receipt of hazardous waste for disposal. A receipt from the escrow agent for this payment shall be submitted by the owner or operator to the department before this initial receipt of hazardous waste. The first payment shall be at least equal to the current long-term care cost estimate, except as provided in sub. (8), divided by the number of years in the pay-in period. Subsequent payments shall be made no later than 30 days after each anniversary date of the first payment. The amount of each subsequent payment shall be determined by this formula:

-

=

where CE is the current long-term care cost estimate, CV is the current value of the escrow account and Y is the number of years remaining in the pay-in period.

NR 665.0145(7)(c)2. 2. If an owner or operator establishes a escrow account as specified in this subsection, and the value of that escrow account is less than the current long-term care cost estimate when an interim license is awarded for the facility, the amount of the current long-term care cost estimate still to be paid into the account shall be paid in over the pay-in period as defined in the introduction to this paragraph. Payments shall continue to be made no later than 30 days after each anniversary date of the first payment. The amount of each payment shall be determined by this formula:

-

=

where CE is the current long-term care cost estimate, CV is the current value of the escrow account and Y is the number of years remaining in the pay-in period.

NR 665.0145(7)(d) (d) The owner or operator may accelerate payments into the escrow account or may deposit the full amount of the current long-term care cost estimate at the time the account is established. However, the owner or operator shall maintain the value of the account at no less than the value that the account would have if annual payments were made as specified in par. (c).

NR 665.0145(7)(e) (e) If the owner or operator establishes a long-term care escrow account after having used one or more alternate mechanisms specified in this section, the first payment shall be in at least the amount that the account would contain if the escrow account were established initially and annual payments made as specified in par. (c).

NR 665.0145(7)(f) (f) After the pay-in period is completed, whenever the current long-term care cost estimate changes during the operating life of the facility, the owner or operator shall compare the new estimate with the escrow agent’s most recent annual valuation of the escrow account. If the value of the account is less than the amount of the new estimate, the owner or operator, within 60 days after the change in the cost estimate, shall either deposit an amount into the account so that its value after this deposit at least equals the amount of the current long-term care cost estimate, or obtain other financial assurance as specified in this section to cover the difference.

NR 665.0145(7)(g) (g) During the operating life of the facility, if the value of the escrow account is greater than the total amount of the current long-term care cost estimate, the owner or operator may submit a written request to the department for release of the amount in excess of the current long-term care cost estimate.

NR 665.0145(7)(h) (h) If an owner or operator substitutes other financial assurance as specified in this section for all or part of the escrow account, the owner or operator may submit a written request to the department for release of the amount in excess of the current long-term care cost estimate covered by the escrow account.

NR 665.0145(7)(i) (i) Within 60 days after receiving a request from the owner or operator for release of funds as specified in par. (g) or (h), the department will instruct the escrow agent to release to the owner or operator funds as the department specifies in writing.

NR 665.0145(7)(j) (j) During the period of long-term care, the department may approve a release of funds if the owner or operator demonstrates to the department that the value of the escrow account exceeds the remaining cost of long-term care.

NR 665.0145(7)(k) (k) An owner or operator or any other person authorized to conduct long-term care may request reimbursements for long-term care expenditures by submitting itemized bills to the department. Within 60 days after receiving bills for long-term care activities, the department will instruct the escrow agent to make reimbursements in those amounts as the department specifies in writing, if the department determines that the long-term care expenditures are in accordance with the approved long-term care plan or otherwise justified. If the department does not instruct the escrow agent to make the reimbursements, the department will provide the owner or operator with a detailed written statement of reasons.

NR 665.0145(7)(L) (L) The department will agree to termination of the escrow account when one of the following applies:

NR 665.0145(7)(L)1. 1. An owner or operator substitutes alternate financial assurance as specified in this section.

NR 665.0145(7)(L)2. 2. The department releases the owner or operator from the requirements of this section in accordance with sub. (10).

NR 665.0145(8) (8) Use of multiple financial mechanisms. An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of this section by establishing more than one financial mechanism per facility. These mechanisms are limited to trust funds, surety bonds guaranteeing payment, deposits with the department, escrow accounts, letters of credit and insurance. The mechanisms shall be as specified in subs. (1) to (4), (6) and (7) except that it is the combination of mechanisms, rather than the single mechanism, which shall provide financial assurance for an amount at least equal to the current long-term care cost estimate. The department may use any or all of the mechanisms to provide for long-term care of the facility.

NR 665.0145(9) (9) Use of a financial mechanism for multiple facilities. An owner or operator may use a financial assurance mechanism specified in this section to meet the requirements of this section for more than one facility. Evidence of financial assurance submitted to the department shall include a list showing, for each facility, the EPA identification number, name, address and the amount of funds for long-term care assured by the mechanism. If the facilities covered by the mechanism are in more than one state, identical evidence of financial assurance shall be submitted to and maintained with the state agency regulating hazardous waste or with the appropriate EPA regional administrator if the facilities are located in unauthorized states. The amount of funds available through the mechanism shall be no less than the sum of funds that would be available if a separate mechanism had been established and maintained for each facility. In directing funds available through the mechanism for long-term care of any of the facilities covered by the mechanism, the department may direct only the amount of funds designated for that facility, unless the owner or operator agrees to the use of additional funds available under the mechanism.

NR 665.0145(10) (10) Release of the owner or operator from the requirements of this section. Within 60 days after receiving certifications from the owner or operator and a qualified professional engineer that the long-term care period has been completed in accordance with the approved long-term care plan, the department will notify the owner or operator in writing that the owner or operator is no longer required by this section to maintain financial assurance for long-term care of that unit, unless the department has reason to believe that long-term care has not been in accordance with the approved long-term care plan. The department will provide the owner or operator a detailed written statement of any reason to believe that long-term care has not been in accordance with the approved long-term care plan.

NR 665.0145 Note Note: The department may consider other financial commitments as allowed by s. 289.41 (3) (a) 5., Stats.

NR 665.0145 History History: CR 05-032: cr. Register July 2006 No. 607, eff. 8-1-06; CR 16-007: am. (5) (a) 2., (10) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17.

NR 665.0146 NR 665.0146 Use of a mechanism for financial assurance of both closure and long-term care. An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements for financial assurance for both closure and long-term care for one or more facilities by using a trust fund, surety payment bond, deposit with the department, escrow account, letter of credit, insurance or net worth test that meets the specifications for the mechanism in both ss. NR 665.0143 and 665.0145. The amount of funds available through the mechanism shall be no less than the sum of funds that would be available if a separate mechanism had been established and maintained for financial assurance of closure and of long-term care.

NR 665.0146 History History: CR 05-032: cr. Register July 2006 No. 607, eff. 8-1-06.

NR 665.0147 NR 665.0147 Liability requirements.

NR 665.0147(1) (1) Coverage for sudden accidental occurrences. An owner or operator of a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility, or a group of facilities, shall demonstrate financial responsibility for bodily injury and property damage to third parties caused by sudden accidental occurrences arising from operations of the facility or group of facilities. The owner or operator shall have and maintain liability coverage for sudden accidental occurrences in the amount of at least $1 million per occurrence with an annual aggregate of at least $2 million, exclusive of legal defense costs. This liability coverage may be demonstrated as specified in par. (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f):

NR 665.0147(1)(a) (a) An owner or operator may demonstrate the required liability coverage by having liability insurance as specified in this subsection.

NR 665.0147(1)(a)1. 1. Each insurance policy shall be amended by attachment of the hazardous waste facility liability endorsement, or evidenced by a certificate of liability insurance. The wording of the endorsement shall be identical to the wording specified in s. NR 664.0151 (9). The wording of the certificate of insurance shall be identical to the wording specified in s. NR 664.0151 (10). The owner or operator shall submit a signed duplicate original of the endorsement or the certificate of insurance to the department. If the facilities are located in more than one state, identical evidence of financial assurance shall be submitted to and maintained with the state agency regulating hazardous waste or with the appropriate EPA regional administrator if the facilities are located in unauthorized states. If requested by a regional administrator or the department, the owner or operator shall provide a signed duplicate original of the insurance policy.

NR 665.0147(1)(a)2. 2. Each insurance policy shall be issued by an insurer which, at a minimum, is licensed to transact the business of insurance, or eligible to provide insurance as an excess or surplus lines insurer, in one or more States.

NR 665.0147(1)(a)3. 3. The department, after conferring with the Wisconsin insurance commissioner, shall determine the acceptability of a surplus lines or captive insurance company to provide coverage for proof of financial responsibility. The department shall ask the insurance commissioner to provide a financial analysis of the insurer including a recommendation as to the insurer’s ability to provide the required coverage. The department may require a periodic review of the acceptability of a surplus lines or captive insurance company.

NR 665.0147(1)(b) (b) An owner or operator may meet the requirements of this section by passing a financial test or using the guarantee for liability coverage as specified in subs. (6) and (7).

NR 665.0147(1)(c) (c) An owner or operator may meet the requirements of this section by obtaining a letter of credit for liability coverage as specified in sub. (8).

NR 665.0147(1)(d) (d) An owner or operator may meet the requirements of this section by obtaining a surety bond for liability coverage as specified in sub. (9).

NR 665.0147(1)(e) (e) An owner or operator may meet the requirements of this section by obtaining a trust fund for liability coverage as specified in sub. (10).

NR 665.0147(1)(f) (f) An owner or operator may demonstrate the required liability coverage through the use of combinations of insurance, financial test, guarantee, letter of credit, surety bond and trust fund, except that the owner or operator may not combine a financial test covering part of the liability coverage requirement with a guarantee unless the financial statement of the owner or operator is not consolidated with the financial statement of the guarantor. The amounts of coverage demonstrated shall total at least the minimum amounts required by this section. If the owner or operator demonstrates the required coverage through the use of a combination of financial assurances under this subsection, the owner or operator shall specify at least one assurance as “primary” coverage and shall specify other assurance as “excess” coverage.

NR 665.0147(1)(g) (g) An owner or operator shall notify the department in writing within 30 days whenever any of the following occur:

NR 665.0147(1)(g)1. 1. A claim results in a reduction in the amount of financial assurance for liability coverage provided by a financial instrument authorized in pars. (a) to (f).

NR 665.0147(1)(g)2. 2. A Certification of Valid Claim for bodily injury or property damages caused by a sudden or non-sudden accidental occurrence arising from the operation of a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility is entered between the owner or operator and third-party claimant for liability coverage under pars. (a) to (f).

NR 665.0147(1)(g)3. 3. A final court order establishing a judgment for bodily injury or property damage caused by a sudden or non-sudden accidental occurrence arising from the operation of a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility is issued against the owner or operator or an instrument that is providing financial assurance for liability coverage under pars. (a) to (f).

NR 665.0147(2) (2) Coverage for nonsudden accidental occurrences. An owner or operator of a surface impoundment or landfill which is used to manage hazardous waste, or a group of facilities, shall demonstrate financial responsibility for bodily injury and property damage to third parties caused by nonsudden accidental occurrences arising from operations of the facility or group of facilities. The owner or operator shall have and maintain liability coverage for nonsudden accidental occurrences in the amount of at least $3 million per occurrence with an annual aggregate of at least $6 million, exclusive of legal defense costs. An owner or operator who shall meet the requirements of this section may combine the required per-occurrence coverage levels for sudden and nonsudden accidental occurrences into a single per-occurrence level, and combine the required annual aggregate coverage levels for sudden and nonsudden accidental occurrences into a single annual aggregate level. Owners or operators who combine coverage levels for sudden and nonsudden accidental occurrences shall maintain liability coverage in the amount of at least $4 million per occurrence and $8 million annual aggregate. This liability coverage may be demonstrated as specified in par. (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f):

NR 665.0147(2)(a) (a) An owner or operator may demonstrate the required liability coverage by having liability insurance as specified in this subsection.

NR 665.0147(2)(a)1. 1. Each insurance policy shall be amended by attachment of the hazardous waste facility liability endorsement or evidenced by a certificate of liability insurance. The wording of the endorsement shall be identical to the wording specified in s. NR 664.0151 (9). The wording of the certificate of insurance shall be identical to the wording specified in s. NR 664.0151 (10). The owner or operator shall submit a signed duplicate original of the endorsement or the certificate of insurance to the department. If the facilities are located in more than one state, identical evidence of financial assurance shall be submitted to and maintained with the state agency regulating hazardous waste or with the appropriate EPA regional administrator if the facilities are located in an unauthorized state. If requested by the department, the owner or operator shall provide a signed duplicate original of the insurance policy.

NR 665.0147(2)(a)2. 2. Each insurance policy shall be issued by an insurer which, at a minimum, is licensed to transact the business of insurance, or eligible to provide insurance as an excess or surplus lines insurer, in one or more States.

NR 665.0147(2)(a)3. 3. The department, after conferring with the Wisconsin insurance commissioner, shall determine the acceptability of a surplus lines or captive insurance company to provide coverage for proof of financial responsibility. The department shall ask the insurance commissioner to provide a financial analysis of the insurer including a recommendation as to the insurer’s ability to provide the required coverage. The department may require a periodic review of the acceptability of a surplus lines or captive insurance company.

NR 665.0147(2)(b) (b) An owner or operator may meet the requirements of this section by passing a financial test or using the guarantee for liability coverage as specified in subs. (6) and (7).

NR 665.0147(2)(c) (c) An owner or operator may meet the requirements of this section by obtaining a letter of credit for liability coverage as specified in sub. (8).

NR 665.0147(2)(d) (d) An owner or operator may meet the requirements of this section by obtaining a surety bond for liability coverage as specified in sub. (9).

NR 665.0147(2)(e) (e) An owner or operator may meet the requirements of this section by obtaining a trust fund for liability coverage as specified in sub. (10).

NR 665.0147(2)(f) (f) An owner or operator may demonstrate the required liability coverage through the use of combinations of insurance, financial test, guarantee, letter of credit, surety bond and trust fund, except that the owner or operator may not combine a financial test covering part of the liability coverage requirement with a guarantee unless the financial statement of the owner or operator is not consolidated with the financial statement of the guarantor. The amounts of coverage demonstrated shall total at least the minimum amounts required by this section. If the owner or operator demonstrates the required coverage through the use of a combination of financial assurances under this subsection, the owner or operator shall specify at least one assurance as “primary” coverage and shall specify other assurance as “excess” coverage.

NR 665.0147(2)(g) (g) An owner or operator shall notify the department in writing within 30 days whenever any of the following occur:

NR 665.0147(2)(g)1. 1. A claim results in a reduction in the amount of financial assurance for liability coverage provided by a financial instrument authorized in pars. (a) to (f).

NR 665.0147(2)(g)2. 2. A certification of valid claim for bodily injury or property damages caused by a sudden or non-sudden accidental occurrence arising from the operation of a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility is entered between the owner or operator and third-party claimant for liability coverage under pars. (a) to (f).

NR 665.0147(2)(g)3. 3. A final court order establishing a judgment for bodily injury or property damage caused by a sudden or non-sudden accidental occurrence arising from the operation of a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility is issued against the owner or operator or an instrument that is providing financial assurance for liability coverage under pars. (a) to (f).

NR 665.0147(3) (3) Request for variance. If an owner or operator can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the levels of financial responsibility required by sub. (1) or (2) are not consistent with the degree and duration of risk associated with treatment, storage or disposal at the facility or group of facilities, the owner or operator may obtain a variance from the department. The request for a variance shall be submitted in writing to the department. If granted, the variance will take the form of an adjusted level of required liability coverage, the level to be based on the department’s assessment of the degree and duration of risk associated with the ownership or operation of the facility or group of facilities. The department may require an owner or operator who requests a variance to provide the technical and engineering information as is deemed necessary by the department to determine a level of financial responsibility other than that required by sub. (1) or (2). The department will process a variance request as if it were a license modification request under s. NR 670.041 (1) (e) and subject to the procedures of s. NR 670.405. Notwithstanding any other provision, the department may hold a public hearing at the department’s discretion or whenever the department finds, on the basis of requests for a public hearing, a significant degree of public interest in a tentative decision to grant a variance.

NR 665.0147(4) (4) Adjustments by the department. If the department determines that the levels of financial responsibility required by sub. (1) or (2) are not consistent with the degree and duration of risk associated with treatment, storage or disposal at the facility or group of facilities, the department may adjust the level of financial responsibility required under sub. (1) or (2) as may be necessary to protect human health and the environment. This adjusted level will be based on the department’s assessment of the degree and duration of risk associated with the ownership or operation of the facility or group of facilities. In addition, if the department determines that there is a significant risk to human health and the environment from nonsudden accidental occurrences resulting from the operations of a facility that is not a surface impoundment, or landfill, the department may require that an owner or operator of the facility comply with sub. (2). An owner or operator shall furnish to the department, within a reasonable time, any information which the department requests to determine whether cause exists for adjustments of level or type of coverage. The department will process an adjustment of the level of required coverage as if it were a license modification under s. NR 670.041 (1) (e) and subject to the procedures of s. NR 670.405. Notwithstanding any other provision, the department may hold a public hearing at the department’s discretion or whenever the department finds, on the basis of requests for a public hearing, a significant degree of public interest in a tentative decision to adjust the level or type of required coverage.