Virginia Law

Article 7. Wording of Financial Mechanisms

9VAC20-70-280. (Repealed.)

Article 7
Wording of Financial Mechanisms

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 6, eff. January 7, 1998; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 3, eff. November 21, 2001.

9VAC20-70-290. Wording of financial mechanisms.

A. Wording of trust agreements.

(NOTE: Instructions in parentheses are to be replaced with the relevant information and the parentheses deleted.)

TRUST AGREEMENT

Trust agreement, the "Agreement," entered into as of (date) by and between (name of the owner or operator), a (State) (corporation, partnership, association, proprietorship), the "Grantor," and (name of corporate trustee), a (State corporation) (national bank), the "Trustee."

Whereas, the Virginia Waste Management Board has established certain regulations applicable to the Grantor, requiring that the owner or operator of a (solid) (regulated medical) (yard) waste (transfer station) (receiving) (management) facility must provide assurance that funds will be available when needed for (closure, post-closure care, or corrective action) of the facility,

Whereas, the Grantor has elected to establish a trust to provide (all or part of) such financial assurance for the facility identified herein,

Whereas, the Grantor, acting through its duly authorized officers, has selected the Trustee to be the trustee under this agreement, and the Trustee is willing to act as trustee,

Now, therefore, the Grantor and the Trustee agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

A. The term "fiduciary" means any person who exercises any power of control, management, or disposition or renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation, direct or indirect, with respect to any moneys or other property of this trust fund, or has any authority or responsibility to do so, or who has any authority or responsibility in the administration of this trust fund.

B. The term "Grantor" means the owner or operator who enters into this Agreement and any successors or assigns of the Grantor.

C. The term "Trustee" means the Trustee who enters into this Agreement and any successor Trustee.

Section 2. Identification of Facility and Cost Estimates. This Agreement pertains to facility(ies) and cost estimates identified on attached Schedule A.

(NOTE: On Schedule A, for each facility list, as applicable, the permit number, name, address, and the current closure, post-closure, corrective action cost estimates, or portions thereof, for which financial assurance is demonstrated by this Agreement.)

Section 3. Establishment of Fund. The Grantor and the Trustee hereby establish a trust fund, the "Fund," for the benefit of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia. The Grantor and the Trustee intend that no third party have access to the Fund except as herein provided. The Fund is established initially as property consisting of cash or securities, which are acceptable to the Trustee, described in Schedule B attached hereto. Such property and any other property subsequently transferred to the Trustee is referred to as the fund, together with all earnings and profits thereon, less any payments or distributions made by the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement. The Fund will be held by the Trustee, IN TRUST, as hereinafter provided. The Trustee undertakes no responsibility for the amount or adequacy of, nor any duty to collect from the Grantor, any payments to discharge any liabilities of the Grantor established by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality.

Section 4. Payment for (Closure, Post-Closure Care, or Corrective Action). The Trustee will make such payments from the Fund as the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia will direct, in writing, to provide for the payment of the costs of (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) of the facility covered by this Agreement. The Trustee will reimburse the Grantor or other persons as specified by the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, from the Fund for (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) expenditures in such amounts as the Department of Environmental Quality will direct, in writing. In addition, the Trustee will refund to the Grantor such amounts as the Department of Environmental Quality specifies in writing. Upon refund, such funds will no longer constitute part of the Fund as defined herein.

Section 5. Payments Comprising the Fund. Payments made to the Trustee for the fund will consist of cash or securities acceptable to the Trustee.

Section 6. Trustee Management. The Trustee will invest and reinvest the principal and income of the Fund and keep the Fund invested as a single fund, without distinction between principal and income, in accordance with investment guidelines and objectives communicated in writing to the Trustee from time to time by the Grantor, subject, however, to the provisions of this Section. In investing, reinvesting, exchanging, selling and managing the Fund, the Trustee or any other fiduciary will discharge his duties with respect to the trust fund solely in the interest of the beneficiary and with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing which persons of prudence, acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters, would use in the conduct of any enterprise of a like character and with like aims; except that:

A. Securities or other obligations of the Grantor, or any other owner or operator of the facility, or any of their affiliates as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 15 USC § 80a-2(a), will not be acquired or held, unless they are securities or other obligations of the federal or a state government;

B. The Trustee is authorized to invest the Fund in time or demand deposits of the Trustee, to the extent insured by an agency of the federal or state government; and

C. The Trustee is authorized to hold cash awaiting investment or distribution uninvested for a reasonable time and without liability for the payment of interest thereon.

Section 7. Commingling and Investment. The Trustee is expressly authorized in its discretion:

A. To transfer from time to time any or all of the assets of the Fund to any common, commingled or collective trust fund created by the Trustee in which the Fund is eligible to participate subject to all of the provisions thereof, to be commingled with the assets of other trusts participating herein. To the extent of the equitable share of the Fund in any such commingled trust, such commingled trust will be part of the Fund; and

B. To purchase shares in any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 USC § 80a-1 et seq., of one which may be created, managed, underwritten, or to which investment advice is rendered or the shares of which are sold by the Trustee. The Trustees may vote such shares in its discretion.

Section 8. Express Powers of Trustee. Without in any way limiting the powers and discretions conferred upon the Trustee by the other provisions of this Agreement or by law, the Trustee is expressly authorized and empowered:

A. To sell, exchange, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of any property held by it, by private contract or at public auction. No person dealing with the Trustee will be bound to see to the application of the purchase money or to inquire into the validity or expediency of any such sale or other dispositions;

B. To make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all documents of transfer and conveyance and any and all other instruments that may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the powers herein granted;

C. To register any securities held in the fund in its own name or in the name of a nominee and to hold any security in bearer form or in book entry, or to combine certificates representing such securities with certificates of the same issue held by the Trustee in other fiduciary capacities, or to deposit or arrange for the deposit of such securities in a qualified central depository even though, when so deposited, such securities may be merged and held in bulk in the name of the nominee of such depository with other securities deposited therein by another person, or to deposit or arrange for the deposit of any securities issued by the United State government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof with a Federal Reserve Bank, but the books and records of the Trustee will at all times show that all such securities are part of the Fund;

D. To deposit any cash in the fund in interest-bearing accounts maintained or savings certificates issued by the Trustee, in its separate corporate capacity, or in any other banking institution affiliated with the Trustee, to the extent insured by an agency of the Federal or State government; and

E. To compromise or otherwise adjust all claims in favor of or against the Fund.

Section 9. Taxes and Expenses. All taxes of any kind that may be assessed or levied against or in respect of the Fund and all brokerage commissions incurred by the Fund will be paid from the Fund. All other expenses incurred by the Trustee in connection with the administration of this Trust, including fees for legal services rendered to the Trustee, the compensation of the Trustee to the extent not paid directly by the Grantor, and all other proper charges and disbursements of the Trustee will be paid from the Fund.

Section 10. Annual Valuation. The Trustee will annually, at the end of the month coincident with or preceding the anniversary date of establishment of the Fund, furnish the Grantor and to the director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, a statement confirming the value of the Trust. Any securities in the Fund will be valued at market value as of no more than 30 days prior to the date of the statement. The failure of the Grantor to object in writing to the Trustee within 90 days after the statement has been furnished to the Grantor and the director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia will constitute a conclusively binding assent by the Grantor, barring the Grantor from asserting any claim or liability against the Trustee with respect to matters disclosed in the statement.

Section 11. Advice of Counsel. The Trustee may from time to time consult with counsel, who may be counsel to the Grantor, with respect to any question arising as to the construction of this Agreement or any action to be taken hereunder. The Trustee will be fully protected, to the extent permitted by law, in acting upon the advice of counsel.

Section 12. Trustee Compensation. The Trustee will be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services as agreed upon in writing from time to time with the Grantor.

Section 13. Successor Trustee. The Trustee may resign or the Grantor may replace the Trustee, but such resignation or replacement shall not be effective until the Grantor has appointed a successor trustee and this successor accepts the appointment. The successor trustee shall have the same powers and duties as those conferred upon the Trustee hereunder. Upon acceptance of the appointment by the successor trustee, the Trustee will assign, transfer and pay over to the successor trustee the funds and properties then constituting the Fund. If for any reason the grantor cannot or does not act in the event of the resignation of the Trustee, the Trustee may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee or for instructions. The successor trustee and the date on which he assumes administration of the trust will be specified in writing and sent to the Grantor, the director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, and the present trustees by certified mail 10 days before such change becomes effective. Any expenses incurred by the Trustee as a result of any of the acts contemplated by this section will be paid as provided in Part IX.

Section 14. Instructions to the Trustee. All orders, requests and instructions by the Grantor to the Trustee will be in writing, signed by such persons as are designated in the attached Exhibit A or such other designees as the grantor may designate by amendment to Exhibit A. The Trustee will be fully protected in acting without inquiry in accordance with the Grantor's orders, requests and instructions. All orders, requests, and instructions by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, to the Trustee will be in writing, signed by the Director and the Trustee will act and will be fully protected in acting in accordance with such orders, requests and instructions. The Trustee will have the right to assume, in the absence of written notice to the contrary, that no event constituting a change or a termination of the authority of any person to act on behalf of the Grantor or the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality hereunder has occurred. The Trustee will have no duty to act in the absence of such orders, requests and instructions from the Grantor and/or the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality, except as provided for herein.

Section 15. Notice of Nonpayment. The Trustee will notify the Grantor and the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, by certified mail within 10 days following the expiration of the 30-day period after the anniversary of the establishment of the Trust, if no payment is received from the Grantor during that period. After the pay-in period is completed, the Trustee is not required to send a notice of nonpayment.

Section 16. Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended by an instrument in writing executed by the Grantor, the Trustee, and the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, or by the Trustee and the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, if the Grantor ceases to exist.

Section 17. Irrevocability and Termination. Subject to the right of the parties to amend this Agreement as provided in Section 16, this Trust will be irrevocable and will continue until terminated at the written agreement of the Grantor, the Trustee, and the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, or by the Trustee and the Director if the Grantor ceases to exist. Upon termination of the Trust, all remaining trust property, less final trust administration expenses, will be delivered to the Grantor.

Section 18. Immunity and Indemnification. The Trustee will not incur personal liability of any nature in connection with any act or omission, made in good faith, in the administration of this Trust, or in carrying out any directions by the Grantor or the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, issued in accordance with this Agreement. The Trustee will be indemnified and saved harmless by the Grantor or from the Trust Fund, or both, from and against any personal liability to which the Trustee may be subjected by reason of any act or conduct in its official capacity, including all expenses reasonably incurred in its defense in the event the Grantor fails to provide such defense.

Section 19. Choice of Law. This Agreement will be administered, construed and enforced according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Section 20. Interpretation. As used in the Agreement, words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular. The descriptive headings for each section of this Agreement will not affect the interpretation of the legal efficacy of this Agreement.

In witness whereof the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers duly authorized and their corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested as of the date first above written. The parties below certify that the wording of this Agreement is identical to the wording specified in 9VAC20-70-290 A of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer and Treatment Facilities, as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

Certification of Acknowledgment:

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

STATE OF __________

CITY/COUNTY OF __________

On this date, before me personally came (owner or operator) to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that she/he resides at (address), that she/he is (title) of (corporation), the corporation described in and which executed the above instrument; that she/he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to such instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation, and that she/he signed her/his name thereto by like order.

(Signature of Notary Public)

B. Wording of surety bond guaranteeing performance or payment.

(NOTE: instructions in parentheses are to be replaced with the relevant information and the parentheses deleted.)

PERFORMANCE OR PAYMENT BOND

Date bond executed: __________

Effective date: __________

Principal: (legal name and business address) _____________

Type of organization: (insert "individual," "joint venture," "partnership," or "corporation") _____________

State of incorporation: __________

Surety: (name and business address) _____________

Name, address, permit number, if any, and (closure, post-closure care, or corrective action) cost estimate for the facility: _____________

Penal sum of bond: $________

Surety's bond number: __________

Know all men by these present, That we, the Principal and Surety hereto are firmly bound to the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, (hereinafter called the Department) in the above penal sum for the payment of which we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, jointly and severally; provided that, where the Surety(ies) are corporations acting as co-sureties, we, the Sureties, bind ourselves in such sum "jointly and severally" only for the purpose of allowing a joint action or actions against any or all of us, and for all other purposes each Surety binds itself, jointly and severally with the Principal, for the payment of each sum only as is set forth opposite the name of such Surety, but if no limit of liability is indicated, the limit of liability shall be the full amount of the penal sum.

Whereas, said Principal is required to have a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, in order to own or operate the (solid, regulated medical, yard) waste management facility identified above, and

Whereas, said Principal is required to provide financial assurance for (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) of the facility as a condition of the permit or an order issued by the department,

Now, therefore the conditions of this obligation are such that if the Principal shall faithfully perform (closure, post-closure care, corrective action), whenever required to do so, of the facility identified above in accordance with the order or the (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) plan submitted to receive said permit and other requirements of said permit as such plan and permit may be amended or renewed pursuant to all applicable laws, statutes, rules, and regulations, as such laws, statutes, rules, and regulations may be amended,

Or, if the Principal shall faithfully perform (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) following an order to begin (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality or by a court, or following a notice of termination of the permit,

Or, if the Principal shall provide alternate financial assurance as specified in the Department's regulations and obtain the director's written approval of such assurance, within 90 days of the date notice of cancellation is received by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality from the Surety, then this obligation will be null and void, otherwise it is to remain in full force and effect for the life of the management facility identified above.

The Surety shall become liable on this bond obligation only when the Principal has failed to fulfill the conditions described above. Upon notification by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, that the Principal has been found in violation of the requirements of the Department's regulations, the Surety must either perform (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) in accordance with the approved plan and other permit requirements or forfeit the (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) amount guaranteed for the facility to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Upon notification by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, that the Principal has been found in violation of an order to begin (closure, post-closure care, corrective action), the Surety must either perform (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) in accordance with the order or forfeit the amount of the (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) guaranteed for the facility to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Surety hereby waives notification of amendments to the (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) plans, orders, permit, applicable laws, statutes, rules, and regulations and agrees that such amendments shall in no way alleviate its obligation on this bond.

For purposes of this bond, (closure, post-closure care, corrective action) shall be deemed to have been completed when the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, determines that the conditions of the approved plan have been met.

The liability of the Surety shall not be discharged by any payment or succession of payments hereunder, unless and until such payment or payments shall amount in the aggregate to the penal sum of the bond, but the obligation of the Surety hereunder shall not exceed the amount of said penal sum unless the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, should prevail in an action to enforce the terms of this bond. In this event, the Surety shall pay, in addition to the penal sum due under the terms of the bond, all interest accrued from the date the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, first ordered the Surety to perform. The accrued interest shall be calculated at the judgment rate of interest pursuant to § 6.2-302 of the Code of Virginia.

The Surety may cancel the bond by sending written notice of cancellation to the owner or operator and to the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, provided, however, that cancellation cannot occur (1) during the 120 days beginning on the date of receipt of the notice of cancellation by the director as shown on the signed return receipt; or (2) while an enforcement action is pending.

The Principal may terminate this bond by sending written notice to the Surety, provided, however, that no such notice shall become effective until the Surety receives written authorization for termination of the bond by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia.

In witness whereof, the Principal and Surety have executed this Performance Bond and have affixed their seals on the date set forth above.

The persons whose signatures appear below hereby certify that they are authorized to execute this surety bond on behalf of the Principal and Surety and I hereby certify that the wording of this surety bond is identical to the wording specified in 9VAC20-70-290 B of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

Principal

Signature(s): __________

Name(s) and Title(s): (typed)__________

Corporate Surety

Name and Address: __________

State of Incorporation: __________

Liability Limit: $___

Signature(s): __________

Name(s) and Title(s): (typed)__________

Corporate Seal:

C. Wording of irrevocable standby letter of credit.

(NOTE: Instructions in parentheses are to be replaced with the relevant information and the parentheses deleted.)

IRREVOCABLE STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT

Director

Department of Environmental Quality

P.O. Box 1105

Richmond, Virginia 23218

Dear (Sir or Madam):

We hereby establish our Irrevocable Letter of Credit No...... in your favor at the request and for the account of (owner's or operator's name and address) up to the aggregate amount of (in words) U.S. dollars $____, available upon presentation of

1. Your sight draft, bearing reference to this letter of credit No ____ together with

2. Your signed statement declaring that the amount of the draft is payable pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of the Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia.

The following amounts are included in the amount of this letter of credit: (Insert the facility permit number, if any, name and address, and the closure, post-closure care, corrective action cost estimate, or portions thereof, for which financial assurance is demonstrated by this letter of credit.)

This letter of credit is effective as of (date) and will expire on (date at least one year later), but such expiration date will be automatically extended for a period of (at least one year) on (date) and on each successive expiration date, unless, at least 120 days before the current expiration date, we notify you and (owner or operator's name) by certified mail that we decide not to extend the Letter of Credit beyond the current expiration date. In the event you are so notified, unused portion of the credit will be available upon presentation of your sight draft for 120 days after the date of receipt by you as shown on the signed return receipt or while a compliance procedure is pending, whichever is later.

Whenever this letter of credit is drawn on under and in compliance with the terms of this credit, we will duly honor such draft upon presentation to us, and we will pay to you the amount of the draft promptly and directly.

I hereby certify that I am authorized to execute this letter of credit on behalf of (issuing institution) and I hereby certify that the wording of this letter of credit is identical to the wording specified in 9VAC20-70-290 C of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

Attest:

(Print name and title of official of issuing institution) (Date)

This credit is subject to (insert "the most recent edition of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, published by the International Chamber of Commerce," of "the Uniform Commercial Code.")

D. Assignment of certificate of deposit account.

City _______________________ ____________, 20___

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns all right, title and interest to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, and its successors and assigns the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality the principal amount of the instrument, including all monies deposited now or in the future to that instrument, indicated below:

() If checked here, this assignment includes all interest now and hereafter accrued.

Certificate of Deposit Account No. _____________________

This assignment is given as security to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in the amount of _______________________ Dollars ($_____________).

Continuing Assignment. This assignment shall continue to remain in effect for all subsequent terms of the automatically renewable certificate of deposit.

Assignment of Document. The undersigned also assigns any certificate or other document evidencing ownership to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Additional Security. This assignment shall secure the payment of any financial obligation of the (name of owner/operator) to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for ("closure" "post closure care" "corrective action") at the (facility name and permit number) located (physical address)

Application of Funds. The undersigned agrees that all or any part of the funds of the indicated account or instrument may be applied to the payment of any and all financial assurance obligations of (name of owner/operator) to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for ("closure" "post closure care" "corrective action") at the (facility name and address). The undersigned authorizes the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to withdraw any principal amount on deposit in the indicated account or instrument including any interest, if indicated, and to apply it in the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's discretion to fund ("closure" "post closure care" "corrective action") at the (facility name) or in the event of (owner or operator's) failure to comply with the Virginia Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities, 9VAC20-70. The undersigned agrees that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality may withdraw any principal and/or interest from the indicated account or instrument without demand or notice. (The undersigned) agrees to assume any and all loss of penalty due to federal regulations concerning the early withdrawal of funds. Any partial withdrawal of principal or interest shall not release this assignment.

The party or parties to this Assignment set their hand or seals, or if corporate, has caused this assignment to be signed in its corporate name by its duly authorized officers and its seal to be affixed by authority of its Board of Directors the day and year above written.

THE FOLLOWING SECTION IS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE BRANCH OR LENDING OFFICE:

The signature(s) as shown above compare correctly with the name(s) as shown on record as owner(s) of the Certificate of Deposit indicated above. The above assignment has been properly recorded by placing a hold in the amount of $ _______________________ for the benefit of the Department of Environmental Quality.

() If checked here, the accrued interest on the Certificate of Deposit indicated above has been maintained to capitalize versus being mailed by check or transferred to a deposit account.

E. Wording of certificate of insurance.

(NOTE: Instructions in parentheses are to be replaced with the relevant information and the parentheses deleted.)

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE

Name and Address of Insurer (herein called the "Insurer"): __________

_____________

Name and Address of Insured (herein called the "Insured"): __________

_____________

_____________

Facilities Covered: (List for each facility: Permit number (if applicable), name, address and the amount of insurance for closure, post-closure care, or corrective action. (These amounts for all facilities covered shall total the face amount shown below.))

Face Amount: $___

Policy Number: __________

Effective Date: __________

The Insurer hereby certifies that it has issued to the Insured the policy of insurance identified above to provide financial assurance for (insert "closure," "post-closure care," "corrective action") for the facilities identified above. The Insurer further warrants that such policy conforms in all respects with the requirements of 9VAC20-70-190 of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities ("Regulations") (9VAC20-70), as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below. It is agreed that any provision of the policy inconsistent with such regulations is hereby amended to eliminate such inconsistency.

Whenever requested by the Director, the Insurer agrees to furnish to the Director a duplicate original of the policy listed above, including all endorsements thereon.

I hereby certify that the wording of this certificate is identical to the wording specified in 9VAC20-70-290 E of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

(Authorized signature for Insurer)

(Name of person signing)

(Title of person signing)

Signature of witness or notary:

(Date)

F. Wording of letter from chief financial officer.

(NOTE: Instructions in parentheses are to be replaced with the relevant information and the parentheses removed.)

Director

Department of Environmental Quality

P.O. Box 1105

Richmond, Virginia 23218

Dear (Sir, Madam):

I am the chief financial officer of (name and address of firm). This letter is in support of this firm's use of the financial test to demonstrate financial assurance, as specified in 9VAC20-70-200 of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities (9VAC20-70) ("Regulations").

(Fill out the following four paragraphs regarding solid waste, regulated medical waste, yard waste composting, hazardous waste, underground injection (regulated under the federal program in 40 CFR Part 144, or its equivalent in other states), petroleum underground storage (9VAC25-590), above ground storage facilities (9VAC25-640) and PCB storage (regulated under 40 CFR Part 761) facilities and associated cost estimates. If your firm has no facilities that belong in a particular paragraph, write "None" in the space indicated. For each facility, include its name, address, permit number, if any, and current closure, post-closure care, corrective action or any other environmental obligation cost estimates. Identify each cost estimate as to whether it is for closure, post-closure care, corrective action or other environmental obligation.)

1. This firm is the owner or operator of the following facilities for which financial assurance is demonstrated through the corporate test specified in 9VAC20-70-200 or its equivalent in other applicable regulations. The current cost estimates covered by the test are shown for each facility:

2. This firm guarantees, through the corporate guarantee specified in 9VAC20-70-220, the financial assurance for the following facilities owned or operated by subsidiaries of this firm. The current cost estimates so guaranteed are shown for each facility:

3. This firm, as owner or operator or guarantor, is demonstrating financial assurance for the following facilities through the use of a financial test. The current cost estimates covered by such a test are shown for each facility:

4. This firm is the owner or operator of the following waste management facilities for which financial assurance is not demonstrated through the financial test or any other financial assurance mechanism. The current cost estimates for the facilities which are not covered by such financial assurance are shown for each facility:

This firm (insert "is required" or "is not required") to file a Form 10K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the latest fiscal year.

The fiscal year of this firm ends on (month, day). The figures for the following items marked with an asterisk are derived from this firm's independently audited, year-end financial statements for the latest completed fiscal year, ended (date).

(Fill in Alternative I if the criteria of 9VAC20-70-200 1 a (1) are used. Fill in Alternative II if the criteria of 9VAC20-70-200 1 a (2) are used. Fill in Alternative III if the criteria of 9VAC20-70-200 1 a (3) are used.)

ALTERNATIVE I

Current bond rating of this firm's senior unsubordinated debt and name of rating service

Date of issuance of bond

Date of maturity of bond

I hereby certify that the wording of this letter is identical to the wording in 9VAC20-70-290 F of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

(Signature)

(Name)

(Title)

(Date)

G. Wording of the local government letter from chief financial officer.

(NOTE: Instructions in parentheses are to be replaced with the relevant information and the parentheses deleted.)

LETTER FROM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I am the chief financial officer of (insert: name and address of local government owner or operator, or guarantor). This letter is in support of the use of the financial test to demonstrate financial responsibility for ("closure care" "post-closure care" "corrective action costs") arising from operating a solid waste management facility.

The following facilities are assured by this financial test: (List for each facility: the name and address of the facility, the permit number, the closure, post-closure and/or corrective action costs, whichever applicable, for each facility covered by this instrument).

This owner's or operator's financial statements were prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for governments and have been audited by ("an independent certified public accountant" "Auditor of Public Accounts"). The owner or operator has not received an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion from ("an independent certified public accountant" "Auditor of Public Accounts") on its financial statements for the latest completed fiscal year.

This owner or operator is not currently in default on any outstanding general obligation bond. Any outstanding issues of general obligation, if rated, have a Moody's rating of Aaa, Aa, A, or Baa or a Standard and Poor's rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB; if rated by both firms, the bonds have a Moody's rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa and a Standard and Poor's rating of AAA, AA, A, or BBB.

The fiscal year of this owner or operator ends on (month, day). The figures for the following items marked with the asterisk are derived from this owner's or operator's independently audited, year-end financial statements for the latest completed fiscal year ended (date).

(Please complete Alternative I or Alternative II.)

(Fill in Alternative I if the criteria in 9VAC20-70-210 1 a (1) are used. Fill in Alternative II if the criteria of 9VAC20-70-210 1 a (2) are used.)

ALTERNATIVE I - BOND RATING TEST

The details of the issue date, maturity, outstanding amount, bond rating, and bond rating agency of all outstanding general obligation bond issues that are being used by (name of local government owner or operator, or guarantor) to demonstrate financial responsibility are as follows: (complete table):

Any outstanding issues of general obligation bonds, if rated, have a Moody's rating of Aaa, Aa, A, or Baa or a Standard and Poor's rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB; if rated by both firms, the bonds have a Moody's rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa and a Standard and Poor's rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB.

ALTERNATIVE II - FINANCIAL RATIO TEST

I hereby certify that the wording of this letter is identical to the wording in 9VAC20-70-290 G of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

(Signature)

(Name of person signing)

(Title of person signing)

(Date)

H. Certification of funding.

CERTIFICATION OF FUNDING

I certify the following information details the current plan for funding closure and post closure at the solid waste management facilities listed below.

I. Wording of corporate guarantee.

(NOTE: Instructions in parentheses are to be replaced with the relevant information and the parentheses removed.)

CORPORATE GUARANTEE

Guarantee made this (date) by (name of guaranteeing entity), a business corporation organized under the laws of the state of (insert name of state), herein referred to as guarantor. This guarantee is made on behalf of the (owner or operator) of (business address), which is (one of the following: "our subsidiary"; "a subsidiary of (name and address of common parent corporation) of which guarantor is a subsidiary"; or "an entity with which the guarantor has a substantial business relationship, as defined in Part I of the Virginia Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities (9VAC20-70)") to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality ("Department"), obligee, on behalf of our subsidiary (owner or operator) of (business address).

Recitals

1. Guarantor meets or exceeds the financial test criteria in 9VAC20-70-200 and agrees to comply with the reporting requirements for guarantors as specified in 9VAC20-70-220 of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities ("Regulations").

2. (Owner or operator) owns or operates the following (solid, regulated medical, yard) waste management facility(ies) covered by this guarantee: (List for each facility: name, address, and permit number, if any. Indicate for each whether guarantee is for closure, post-closure care, corrective action or other environmental obligations.)

3. "Closure plans", "post-closure care plans" and "corrective action plans" as used below refer to the plans maintained as required by the Solid Waste Management Regulations (9VAC20-81), or the Regulated Medical Waste Management Regulations (9VAC20-121).

4. For value received from (owner or operator), guarantor guarantees to the Department that in the event that (owner or operator) fails to perform (insert "closure," "post-closure care," or "corrective action") of the above facility(ies) in accordance with the closure or post-closure care plans and other (requirements of the) permit or (the order) whenever required to do so, the guarantor shall do so or establish a trust fund as specified in 9VAC20-70-140 in the name of (owner or operator) in the amount of the current cost estimates.

5. Guarantor agrees that if, at the end of any fiscal year before termination of this guarantee, the guarantor fails to meet the financial test criteria, guarantor shall send within 90 days, by certified mail, notice to the director and to (owner or operator) that he intends to provide alternate financial assurance as specified in Article 4 of Part III of the Regulations, in the name of (owner or operator). Within 120 days after the end of such fiscal year, the guarantor shall establish such financial assurance unless (owner or operator) has done so.

6. The guarantor agrees to notify the director by certified mail, of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming guarantor as debtor, within 10 days after commencement of the proceeding.

7. Guarantor agrees that within 30 days after being notified by the director of a determination that guarantor no longer meets the financial test criteria or that he is disallowed from continuing as a guarantor of closure, post-closure care, or corrective action, he shall establish alternate financial assurance as specified in Article 4 of Part III of the Regulations, in the name of (owner or operator) unless (owner or operator) has done so.

8. Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee notwithstanding any or all of the following: amendment or modification of the closure, post-closure or corrective action plan, amendment or modification of the permit, amendment or modification of the order, the extension or reduction of the time of performance of closure, post-closure, or corrective action or any other modification or alteration of an obligation of the owner or operator pursuant to the (Solid Waste Management Regulations or Regulated Medical Waste Management Regulations or § 10.1-1454.1 of the Code of Virginia).

9. Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee for so long as (owner or operator) shall comply with the applicable financial assurance requirements of Article 4 of Part III of the Regulations for the above-listed facilities, except as provided in paragraph 10 of this agreement.

10. (Insert the following language if the guarantor is (a) a direct or higher-tier corporate parent, or (b) a firm whose parent corporation is also the parent corporation of the owner or operator:) Guarantor may terminate this guarantee by sending notice by certified mail to the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and to the (owner or operator), provided that this guarantee may not be terminated unless and until (the owner or operator) obtains and the director approves, alternate (closure, post-closure, corrective action) coverage complying with the requirements of 9VAC20-70. (Insert the following language if the guarantor is a firm qualifying as a guarantor due to its "substantial business relationship" with the owner or operator:) Guarantor may terminate this guarantee 120 days following the receipt of notification, through certified mail, by the director and by (the owner or operator).

11. Guarantor agrees that if (owner or operator) fails to provide alternate financial assurance as specified in Article 4 of Part III of the Regulations, and obtain written approval of such assurance from the director within 90 days after a notice of cancellation by the guarantor is received by the director from guarantor, guarantor shall provide such alternate financial assurance in the name of (owner or operator).

12. Guarantor expressly waives notice of acceptance of this guarantee by the Department or by (owner or operator). Guarantor also expressly waives notice of amendments or modifications of the closure and/or post-closure plan and of amendments or modifications of the facility permit(s).

I hereby certify that the wording of this guarantee is identical to the wording in 9VAC20-70-290 I of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

(Name of guarantor)

Effective date: __________

(Authorized signature for guarantor) __________

(Name of person signing) __________

(Title of person signing) __________

Signature of witness or notary: __________

J. Wording of local government guarantee.

(NOTE: Instructions in parentheses are to be replaced with the relevant information and the parentheses removed.)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE

Guarantee made this (date) by (name of guaranteeing entity), a local government created under the laws of the state of Virginia, herein referred to as guarantor. This guarantee is made on behalf of the (owner or operator) of (address), to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality ("Department"), obligee.

Recitals

1. Guarantor meets or exceeds the financial test criteria in 9VAC20-70-210 and agrees to comply with the reporting requirements for guarantors as specified in 9VAC20-70-230 of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Treatment and Transfer Facilities ("Regulations").

2. (Owner or operator) owns or operates the following (solid, regulated medical, yard) waste management facility(ies) covered by this guarantee: (List for each facility: name, address, and permit number, if any. Indicate for each whether guarantee is for closure, post-closure care, corrective action or other environmental obligations.)

3. "Closure plans" and "post-closure care plans" as used below refer to the plans maintained as required by the Solid Waste Management Regulations (9VAC20-81).

4. For value received from (owner or operator), guarantor guarantees to the Department that in the event that (owner or operator) fails to perform (insert "closure," "post-closure care," or "corrective action") of the above facility(ies) in accordance with the closure or post-closure care plans and other (requirements of the) permit or (the order) whenever required to do so, the guarantor shall do so or establish a trust fund as specified in 9VAC20-70-150 in the name of (owner or operator) in the amount of the current cost estimates.

5. Guarantor agrees that if, at the end of any fiscal year before termination of this guarantee, the guarantor fails to meet the financial test criteria, guarantor shall send within 90 days, by certified mail, notice to the director and to (owner or operator) that he intends to provide alternate financial assurance as specified in Article 4 of Part III of the Regulations, in the name of (owner or operator). Within 120 days after the end of such fiscal year, the guarantor shall establish such financial assurance unless (owner or operator) has done so.

6. The guarantor agrees to notify the director by certified mail, of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming guarantor as debtor, within 10 days after commencement of the proceeding.

7. Guarantor agrees that within 30 days after being notified by the director of a determination that guarantor no longer meets the financial test criteria or that he is disallowed from continuing as a guarantor of closure, post-closure care, or corrective action, he shall establish alternate financial assurance as specified in Article 4 of Part III of the Regulations in the name of (owner or operator) unless (owner or operator) has done so.

8. Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee notwithstanding any or all of the following: amendment or modification of the closure or post-closure plan, amendment or modification of the closure or post-closure plan, amendment or modification of the permit, amendment or modification of the order, the extension or reduction of the time of performance of the closure or post-closure, or any other modification or alteration of an obligation of the owner or operator pursuant to the Virginia (Solid Waste Management or Regulated Medical Waste Management) Regulations.

9. Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee for so long as (owner or operator) shall comply with the applicable financial assurance requirements of Article 4 of Part III of the Regulations for the above-listed facilities, except as provided in paragraph 10 of this agreement.

10. Guarantor may terminate this guarantee by sending notice by certified mail to the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and to the (owner or operator), provided that this guarantee may not be terminated unless and until (the owner or operator) obtains and the director approves, alternate (closure, post-closure, corrective action,) coverage complying with the requirements of 9VAC20-70.

11. Guarantor agrees that if (owner or operator) fails to provide alternate financial assurance as specified in Article 4 of Part III of the Regulations, and obtain written approval of such assurance from the director with 90 days after a notice of cancellation by the guarantor is received by the director from guarantor, guarantor shall provide such alternate financial assurance in the name of (owner or operator).

12. Guarantor expressly waives notice of acceptance of this guarantee by the Department or by (owner or operator). Guarantor also expressly waives notice of amendments or modifications of the closure and/or post-closure plan and of amendments or modifications of the facility permit(s).

I hereby certify that the wording of this guarantee is identical to the wording specified in 9VAC20-70-290 J of the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer and Treatment Facilities as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.

(Name of guarantor) __________

Effective date: __________

(Authorized signature for guarantor) __________

(Name of person signing) __________

(Title of person signing) __________

Signature of witness or notary: __________

Statutory Authority

§§ 10.1-1402 and 10.1-1410 of the Code of Virginia; §§ 1008(a)(3), 2002, and 4004(a) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; 40 CFR Part 258.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 3, eff. November 21, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 20, eff. July 13, 2005; Volume 27, Issue 22, eff. August 3, 2011; Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; Volume 35, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2019; Volume 40, Issue 5, eff. November 22, 2023.