§ 23-19.1-16. Emergency powers.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the director, upon finding that the storage, transportation, treatment, or disposal of any hazardous waste, or any other activity with respect to the wastes, presents an imminent hazard to the public health and safety, or to the environment, may, without prior notice or hearing, take any action as the director deems necessary to protect the public health and safety, or the environment. The action may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(1) Issuing orders directing the hazardous waste generator or transporter or operator of the hazardous waste management facility, or any other person who is the custodian of the waste, which constitutes the hazard, to take any steps as the director shall deem necessary to prevent the act or to eliminate the condition which constitutes the hazard. The action may include, with respect to a facility or site, temporary cessation of operation, and/or an order for the removal of the hazardous substance from the site. Any order issued under this section without notice and prior hearing shall be effective no longer than forty-five (45) days, provided, that for good cause shown the order may be extended one additional period of up to forty-five (45) days; and/or
(2) Obtaining injunction relief or other order from superior court.
History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 229, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-46.2-16; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-19.1-16; P.L. 1979, ch. 265, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-19.1 - Hazardous Waste Management
Section 23-19.1-1. - Short title.
Section 23-19.1-2. - Legislative findings.
Section 23-19.1-3. - Declaration of purpose.
Section 23-19.1-4. - Definitions.
Section 23-19.1-5. - Applicability of chapter.
Section 23-19.1-6. - Powers and duties of the director.
Section 23-19.1-7. - Manifest required.
Section 23-19.1-8. - Records — Reports — Monitoring.
Section 23-19.1-9. - Generation of wastes.
Section 23-19.1-10. - Permits — Issuance — Renewal — Revocation — Exempted activities.
Section 23-19.1-10.1. - Criteria for permits.
Section 23-19.1-10.2. - Criteria for licenses.
Section 23-19.1-10.3. - Emergency and temporary permits.
Section 23-19.1-11. - Permits — Variances.
Section 23-19.1-11.1. - Ground water resources.
Section 23-19.1-12. - Inspections — Penalty for hindering entry.
Section 23-19.1-13. - Employment of experts and consultants to investigate permit applications.
Section 23-19.1-14. - Permit fees — Expenses of investigation and hearing.
Section 23-19.1-15. - Proceedings for enforcement.
Section 23-19.1-16. - Emergency powers.
Section 23-19.1-17. - Civil penalty for violations.
Section 23-19.1-17.1. - Seizure and forfeiture of property used to violate chapter.
Section 23-19.1-17.2. - Sampling and disposition of hazardous waste.
Section 23-19.1-18. - Criminal penalties — Payment of restoration costs.
Section 23-19.1-18.1. - Determination of restoration costs — Judgment — Other relief not precluded.
Section 23-19.1-18.2. - Limitation of prosecutions.
Section 23-19.1-18.3. - Prohibiting business due to conviction of certain acts.
Section 23-19.1-19. - Interstate cooperation.
Section 23-19.1-20. - Liberal construction — Severability.
Section 23-19.1-21. - Applicability of chapter — No effect on public utilities and carriers.
Section 23-19.1-22. - Liability for unauthorized transportation, storage, or disposal.
Section 23-19.1-23. - Environmental response fund.
Section 23-19.1-24. - Administration of the fund.
Section 23-19.1-25. - Bonds authorized — Maturity — Certification and execution.
Section 23-19.1-26. - Depositing bond proceeds in environmental response fund.
Section 23-19.1-27. - Temporary notes.
Section 23-19.1-28. - Advances from general fund in anticipation of the issue of notes or bonds.
Section 23-19.1-29. - Bonds and notes tax exempt general obligation of state.
Section 23-19.1-31. - Investment of receipts pending expenditures.
Section 23-19.1-32. - Amortization.
Section 23-19.1-33. - Notice of hazardous waste disposal violation.
Section 23-19.1-34. - Hazardous waste haulers — Drivers license and certificate required.
Section 23-19.1-35. - Denial or revocation of hazardous waste material driver’s certificate.
Section 23-19.1-36. - Suspension of transporters permit upon violation of § 23-19.1-33.