R649-13-10. Effective Date of Rule Revisions

(1) The performance bond amounts for all wells, facilities, and operations permitted after July 7, 2026 shall be determined as set forth in Sections R649-13-2 and R649-13-3 in accordance with the bond schedules referenced in Subsection R649-13-1(3)(a). (2) Performance bonds for wells, facilities, and operations permitted before July 7, 2026, will be adjusted to conform to the requirements of Sections R649-13-2 and R649-13-3 as follows: (a) on or before July 7, 2026, the division shall complete a comprehensive well analysis for each operator and determine the total performance bond amount required by the bonding schedule. (b) the division shall send written notification to each operator of the division's final bonding assessment. (c) For wells with existing bonding as of July 7, 2026, an operator will be allowed to increase their bonding to conform to the division's bonding assessment in five installments. The installments shall be made as follows: (i) the first installment is due six months after the date the division notifies the operator of their bonding assessment, and must be a minimum of $50,000, or one-fifth the difference between the operator's existing bonding and the division's bonding assessment, whichever is greater; (ii) the second through fourth installments are due annually July 1 and must be a minimum of one-quarter of the difference between the operator's existing bonding after payment of the first installment and the division's bonding assessment. (iii) the fifth and final installment is due on July 1 of the year following the fourth installment and must be in the amount of the remaining difference between the operator's existing bonding and the division's bonding assessment.