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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§300h–4 Optional Demonstration by States Relating to Oil or Natural Gas

Title 42 › CHAPTER 6A — PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER XII — SAFETY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS › Part C — Protection of Underground Sources of Drinking Water › § 300h–4

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

States can show the EPA that their rules for certain oil and gas underground injections—like fluids from production or injections to get more oil or gas—meet the four main federal requirements and work well to protect drinking water. That showing must include good recordkeeping and reporting. If the EPA later changes a rule about those injections, a State that already made the showing can again show its program meets the same four requirements for the changed part instead of doing the usual approval step. If the EPA accepts a State’s showing, the State becomes the primary enforcer for that part of the program. The EPA can later decide the showing is no longer valid, but it must make that decision by rule and hold a public hearing first. A separate federal approval rule does not apply to parts approved this way.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §300h–4

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Approval of State underground injection control program; alternative showing of effectiveness of program by State
For purposes of the Administrator’s approval or disapproval under section 300h–1 of this title of that portion of any State underground injection control program which relates to—
(1)the underground injection of brine or other fluids which are brought to the surface in connection with oil or natural gas production or natural gas storage operations, or
(2)any underground injection for the secondary or tertiary recovery of oil or natural gas,
in lieu of the showing required under subparagraph (A) of section 300h–1(b)(1) of this title the State may demonstrate that such portion of the State program meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 300h(b)(1) of this title and represents an effective program (including adequate recordkeeping and reporting) to prevent underground injection which endangers drinking water sources.
(b)Revision or amendment of requirements of regulation; showing of effectiveness of program by State
If the Administrator revises or amends any requirement of a regulation under section 300h of this title relating to any aspect of the underground injection referred to in subsection (a), in the case of that portion of a State underground injection control program for which the demonstration referred to in subsection (a) has been made, in lieu of the showing required under section 300h–1(b)(1)(B) of this title the State may demonstrate that, with respect to that aspect of such underground injection, the State program meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 300h(b)(1) of this title and represents an effective program (including adequate recordkeeping and reporting) to prevent underground injection which endangers drinking water sources.
(c)Primary enforcement responsibility of State; voiding by Administrator under duly promulgated rule
(1)section 300h–1(b)(3) of this title shall not apply to that portion of any State underground injection control program approved by the Administrator pursuant to a demonstration under subsection (a) of this section (and under subsection (b) of this section where applicable).
(2)If pursuant to such a demonstration, the Administrator approves such portion of the State program, the State shall have primary enforcement responsibility with respect to that portion until such time as the Administrator determines, by rule, that such demonstration is no longer valid. Following such a determination, the Administrator may exercise the authority of subsection (c) of section 300h–1 of this title in the same manner as provided in such subsection with respect to a determination described in such subsection.
(3)Before promulgating any rule under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall provide opportunity for public hearing respecting such rule.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1986—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99–339 inserted “or natural gas storage operations, or” after “production”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 300h–4

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110