[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 20]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR144.33]

[Page 648]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 144_UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                    Subpart D_Authorization by Permit
 
Sec.  144.33  Area permits.

    (a) The Director may issue a permit on an area basis, rather than 
for each well individually, provided that the permit is for injection 
wells:
    (1) Described and identified by location in permit application(s) if 
they are existing wells, except that the Director may accept a single 
description of wells with substantially the same characteristics;
    (2) Within the same well field, facility site, reservoir, project, 
or similar unit in the same State;
    (3) Operated by a single owner or operator; and
    (4) Used to inject other than hazardous waste.
    (b) Area permits shall specify:
    (1) The area within which underground injections are authorized, and
    (2) The requirements for construction, monitoring, reporting, 
operation, and abandonment, for all wells authorized by the permit.
    (c) The area permit may authorize the permittee to construct and 
operate, convert, or plug and abandon wells within the permit area 
provided:
    (1) The permittee notifies the Director at such time as the permit 
requires;
    (2) The additional well satisfies the criteria in paragraph (a) of 
this section and meets the requirements specified in the permit under 
paragraph (b) of this section; and
    (3) The cumulative effects of drilling and operation of additional 
injection wells are considered by the Director during evaluation of the 
area permit application and are acceptable to the Director.
    (d) If the Director determines that any well constructed pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section does not satisfy any of the requirements 
of paragraphs (c) (1) and (2) of this section the Director may modify 
the permit under Sec.  144.39, terminate under Sec.  144.40, or take 
enforcement action. If the Director determines that cumulative effects 
are unacceptable, the permit may be modified under Sec.  144.39.