(a) An owner, operator, or prospective purchaser of a heavy industry use site, including a site that has been abandoned in fact or has been the subject of an abandonment proceeding, may submit an application to the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for a conversion permit under this section for an alternative heavy industry use or an additional heavy industry use that will operate simultaneously with any existing use on that heavy industry use site.
(b) An owner, operator, or prospective purchaser of a heavy industry use site that had a docking facility or pier for a single industrial or manufacturing facility on or before June 28, 1971, including a site that has been abandoned in fact or has been the subject of an abandonment proceeding, may submit an application to the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for a conversion permit to operate a bulk product transfer facility that may be operated simultaneously with other heavy industry uses, industrial uses or manufacturing uses. Provided, however, that a conversion permit may be issued only for a bulk product transfer facility used to receive shipments of bulk products to the extent they are necessary for and fully utilized in the operation of a facility or facilities within the coastal zone, or that is used for the shipment of bulk products to the extent they are produced by a facility or facilities within the coastal zone, unless the product is a grain, as that term is defined in § 1601 of Title 3, in which case it may be transferred without regard to origin or destination. A conversion permit may not be issued for bulk transfer of liquefied natural gas.
(c) An application for a conversion permit made under subsection (a) or (b) of this section must be in writing on a form approved by the Secretary and must include the items listed in § 7004(b) and § 7005(a)(1) of this title, the items required by regulation promulgated under this chapter, and all of the following items to be considered in assessing a conversion permit application:
(1) The environmental impact and economic effect of the existing or previous use. If the application is for a subsequent conversion permit, the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has the discretion to direct the applicant to provide information on the environmental impact and economic effect of any of the previous uses at the site.
(2) The environmental impact and economic effect of the alternative or additional heavy industry use or bulk product transfer activity.
(3) The net environmental improvement or economic improvement, or both, inherent in the alternative or additional heavy industry use or bulk product transfer activity as compared to the most recent heavy industry use engaged in at that site.
(4) Evidence that the owner, prospective owner, or applicant for the conversion permit under this section has complied with, and will continue to comply with, the requirements of the Delaware Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act, Chapter 91 of this title, and any other relevant state or federal environmental statutes, and shall agree to pay all costs of such compliance.
(5) A plan to prepare the site for potential impacts of sea-level rise and coastal storms over the anticipated useful life of the facility and infrastructure in connection with the applied-for use.
(6) An offset proposal that meets the requirements established by and includes the contents specified in regulations promulgated under this chapter and more than offsets the facility’s negative environmental impacts on an annual basis. Such proposal shall favor offsets that directly benefit Delaware.
(7) A timeframe for the conversion to an additional or alternative heavy industry use or bulk product transfer facility.
(8) Evidence of financial assurances in sufficient form and amount necessary to ensure that: (i) there are sufficient resources for all costs of compliance with the Delaware Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act (“HSCA”), Chapter 91 of this title, and other relevant state and federal environmental statutes concerning contamination on the site at the time of application; and (ii) upon the event of an incident resulting in environmental contamination, or upon termination, abandonment, or liquidation of all activities at the site of any heavy industry use, all means will be taken to minimize environmental damage and stabilize and secure the heavy industry use site in accordance with a concept plan that will be approved by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control as part of the conversion permit. A final plan approved by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is required prior to the initiation of operation of the activity being authorized under the conversion permit.
a. Evidence under paragraph (c)(8) of this section must be in accordance with any regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control under Chapter 92 of this title and any regulations promulgated under this chapter.
b. If, on the date of an application filed under this section, the Secretary has not promulgated regulations under Chapter 92 of this title or under this chapter, the Secretary shall assess the evidence presented by the applicant under paragraph (c)(8) of this section as follows:
1. By taking into consideration the size of the site of the heavy industry use and the quantities of chemicals maintained and generated as wastes on the site of the heavy industry use.
2. By taking into consideration, and giving due credit for, financial assurances established through other programs operated by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
3. By allowing evidence of financial assurance to include insurance, guarantee, surety bond, letter of credit, proof of assets, qualification as a self-insurer, or other agreements acceptable to the Secretary.
(d) For purposes of paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section, “environmental impact” and “economic effect” have the same meanings as in § 7004(b) of this title.
(e) In making a decision on a conversion permit application under this section, the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, in the first instance, and the State Coastal Zone Industrial Board, on appeal, shall consider all of the following:
(1) The factors listed in § 7004(b) of this title.
(2) The items listed in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(8) of this section.
(3) Compliance with any regulations promulgated under § 7005(b) and (c) of this title.
(f) The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control may not grant a conversion permit under this section for any of the following heavy industry uses that were not in existence on June 28, 1971:
(1) An oil refinery.
(2) A basic cellulosic pulp paper mill.
(3) An incinerator.
(4) A basic steel manufacturing plant.
(5) A liquefied natural gas terminal.
(g) The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control must hold a public hearing prior to issuing a conversion permit under this section. All public hearings must be noticed as required by this chapter, regulations promulgated under this chapter, or applicable law.
(h) Notwithstanding the 90-day response time for a decision by the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on a permit application under § 7005(a) of this title, the Secretary and an applicant under this section may, by mutual agreement, extend such time for a decision.
(i) The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control shall publish, on the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s website, all decisions made under this section including the reasons therefor.