The department may grant conditional approval of an application for partial removal of an offshore oil structure only if all of the following criteria are satisfied:
(a) The partial removal of the offshore oil structure and the planning, development, maintenance, and operation of the structure would be consistent with all applicable state, federal, and international laws, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) The federal Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1801 et seq.).
(2) The federal National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984 (33 U.S.C. Sec. 2101 et seq.).
(3) The federal Coastal Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1451 et seq.).
(4) The California Coastal Management Program.
(5) The Marine Life Management Act (Part 1.7 (commencing with Section 7050)).
(6) The Marine Life Protection Act (Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 2850) of Division 3).
(7) State and federal water quality laws.
(8) Navigational safety laws.
(b) The partial removal of the offshore oil structure provides a net benefit to the marine environment compared to full removal of the structure, as determined pursuant to Section 6613.
(c) The cost savings that would result from the conversion of the offshore oil platform or production facility have been determined pursuant to Section 6614.
(d) The applicant has provided sufficient funds consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 6612.
(e) The department and the applicant have entered into a contractual agreement whereby the applicant will provide sufficient funds for overall management of the structure by the department, including, but not limited to, ongoing management, operations, maintenance, monitoring, and enforcement as these relate to the structure.
(f) The department has entered into an indemnification agreement with the applicant that indemnifies the state and the department, to the extent permitted by law, against any and all liability that may result, including, but not limited to, active negligence, and including defending the state and the department against any claims against the state for any actions the state undertakes pursuant to this article. The agreement may be in the form of an insurance policy, cash settlement, or other mechanism as determined by the department. In adopting indemnification requirements for the agreement, the department shall ensure that the state can defend itself against any liability claims against the state for any actions the state undertakes pursuant to this article and pay any resulting judgments. The department shall consult with and, as necessary, use the resources of the office of the Attorney General in preparing and entering into the indemnification agreement.
(g) The applicant has applied for and received all required permits, leases, and approvals issued by any governmental agency, including, but not limited to, a lease issued by the commission if the proposed project involves state tidelands and submerged lands. For structures located in federal waters, all of the following requirements shall be met:
(1) The department and the owner or operator of the structure reach an agreement providing for the department to take title to the platform or facility as provided in Section 6620.
(2) The department acquires the permit issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
(3) The partial removal of the structure is approved by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement of the United States Department of the Interior.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 687, Sec. 1. (AB 2503) Effective January 1, 2011.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018