US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 6939f

Long-term storage

(a)

Designation of facility

(1)

In general

Not later than , the Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”) shall designate a facility or facilities of the Department of Energy, which shall not include the Y–12 National Security Complex or any other portion or facility of the Oak Ridge Reservation of the Department of Energy, for the purpose of long-term management and storage of elemental mercury generated within the United States.

(2)

Operation of facility

Not later than , the facility designated in paragraph (1) shall be operational and shall accept custody, for the purpose of long-term management and storage, of elemental mercury generated within the United States and delivered to such facility.

(b)

Fees

(1)

In general

(A)

Assessment and collection

After consultation with persons who are likely to deliver elemental mercury to a designated facility for long-term management and storage under the program prescribed in subsection (a), and with other interested persons, the Secretary shall assess and collect a fee at the time of delivery for providing such management and storage, based on the pro rata cost of long-term management and storage of elemental mercury delivered to the facility.

(B)

Amount

The amount of the fees described in subparagraph (A)—
(i)
shall be made publicly available not later than ;
(ii)
may be adjusted annually;
(iii)
shall be set in an amount sufficient to cover the costs described in paragraph (2), subject to clause (iv); and
(iv)
for generators temporarily accumulating elemental mercury in a facility subject to subparagraphs (B) and (D)(iv) of subsection (g)(2) if the facility designated in subsection (a) is not operational by , shall be adjusted to subtract the cost of the temporary accumulation during the period in which the facility designated under subsection (a) is not operational.
(C)

Conveyance of title and permitting

If the facility designated in subsection (a) is not operational by , the Secretary—
(i)
shall immediately accept the conveyance of title to all elemental mercury that has accumulated in facilities in accordance with subsection (g)(2)(D), before , and deliver the accumulated mercury to the facility designated under subsection (a) on the date on which the facility becomes operational;
(ii)
42 U.S.C. 6925(c) shall pay any applicable Federal permitting costs, including the costs for permits issued under section 3005(c) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (); and
(iii)
42 U.S.C. 6925(c) shall store, or pay the cost of storage of, until the time at which a facility designated in subsection (a) is operational, accumulated mercury to which the Secretary has title under this subparagraph in a facility that has been issued a permit under section 3005(c) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act ().
(2)

Costs

42 U.S.C. 6901The costs referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(iii) are the costs to the Department of Energy of providing such management and storage, including facility operation and maintenance, security, monitoring, reporting, personnel, administration, inspections, training, fire suppression, closure, and other costs required for compliance with applicable law. Such costs shall not include costs associated with land acquisition or permitting of a designated facility under the Solid Waste Disposal Act [ et seq.] or other applicable law. Building design and building construction costs shall only be included to the extent that the Secretary finds that the management and storage of elemental mercury accepted under the program under this section cannot be accomplished without construction of a new building or buildings.

(c)

Report

Not later than 60 days after the end of each Federal fiscal year, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on all of the costs incurred in the previous fiscal year associated with the long-term management and storage of elemental mercury. Such report shall set forth separately the costs associated with activities taken under this section.

(d)

Management standards for a facility

(1)

Guidance

42 U.S.C. 690142 U.S.C. 692142 U.S.C. 6925(e)42 U.S.C. 6925(c)Not later than , the Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and all appropriate State agencies in affected States, shall make available, including to potential users of the long-term management and storage program established under subsection (a), guidance that establishes procedures and standards for the receipt, management, and long-term storage of elemental mercury at a designated facility or facilities, including requirements to ensure appropriate use of flasks or other suitable shipping containers. Such procedures and standards shall be protective of human health and the environment and shall ensure that the elemental mercury is stored in a safe, secure, and effective manner. In addition to such procedures and standards, elemental mercury managed and stored under this section at a designated facility shall be subject to the requirements of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [ et seq.], including the requirements of subtitle C of that Act [ et seq.], except as provided in subsection (g)(2) of this section. A designated facility is authorized to operate under interim status pursuant to section 3005(e) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [] until a final decision on a permit application is made pursuant to section 3005(c) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act []. Not later than , the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (or an authorized State) shall issue a final decision on the permit application.

(2)

Training

The Secretary shall conduct operational training and emergency training for all staff that have responsibilities related to elemental mercury management, transfer, storage, monitoring, or response.

(3)

Equipment

The Secretary shall ensure that each designated facility has all equipment necessary for routine operations, emergencies, monitoring, checking inventory, loading, and storing elemental mercury at the facility.

(4)

Fire detection and suppression systems

The Secretary shall—
(A)
ensure the installation of fire detection systems at each designated facility, including smoke detectors and heat detectors; and
(B)
ensure the installation of a permanent fire suppression system, unless the Secretary determines that a permanent fire suppression system is not necessary to protect human health and the environment.
(e)

Indemnification of persons delivering elemental mercury

(1)

In general

(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall hold harmless, defend, and indemnify in full any person who delivers elemental mercury to a designated facility under the program established under subsection (a) from and against any suit, claim, demand or action, liability, judgment, cost, or other fee arising out of any claim for personal injury or property damage (including death, illness, or loss of or damage to property or economic loss) that results from, or is in any manner predicated upon, the release or threatened release of elemental mercury as a result of acts or omissions occurring after such mercury is delivered to a designated facility described in subsection (a).
(B)
To the extent that a person described in subparagraph (A) contributed to any such release or threatened release, subparagraph (A) shall not apply.
(2)

Conditions

No indemnification may be afforded under this subsection unless the person seeking indemnification—
(A)
notifies the Secretary in writing within 30 days after receiving written notice of the claim for which indemnification is sought;
(B)
furnishes to the Secretary copies of pertinent papers the person receives;
(C)
furnishes evidence or proof of any claim, loss, or damage covered by this subsection; and
(D)
provides, upon request by the Secretary, access to the records and personnel of the person for purposes of defending or settling the claim or action.
(3)

Authority of Secretary

(A)
In any case in which the Secretary determines that the Department of Energy may be required to make indemnification payments to a person under this subsection for any suit, claim, demand or action, liability, judgment, cost, or other fee arising out of any claim for personal injury or property damage referred to in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary may settle or defend, on behalf of that person, the claim for personal injury or property damage.
(B)
In any case described in subparagraph (A), if the person to whom the Department of Energy may be required to make indemnification payments does not allow the Secretary to settle or defend the claim, the person may not be afforded indemnification with respect to that claim under this subsection.
(f)

Terms, conditions, and procedures

The Secretary is authorized to establish such terms, conditions, and procedures as are necessary to carry out this section.

(g)

Effect on other law

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing in this section changes or affects any Federal, State, or local law or the obligation of any person to comply with such law.

(2)

Exception

(A)
42 U.S.C. 6924(j) Elemental mercury that the Secretary is storing on a long-term basis shall not be subject to the storage prohibition of section 3004(j) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (). For the purposes of section 3004(j) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, a generator accumulating elemental mercury destined for a facility designated by the Secretary under subsection (a) for 90 days or less shall be deemed to be accumulating the mercury to facilitate proper treatment, recovery, or disposal.
(B)
42 U.S.C. 6925(c)42 U.S.C. 6924(j) Elemental mercury may be stored at a facility with respect to which any permit has been issued under section 3005(c) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (), and shall not be subject to the storage prohibition of section 3004(j) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act () if—
(i)
the Secretary is unable to accept the mercury at a facility designated by the Secretary under subsection (a) for reasons beyond the control of the owner or operator of the permitted facility;
(ii)
the owner or operator of the permitted facility certifies in writing to the Secretary that it will ship the mercury to the designated facility when the Secretary is able to accept the mercury; and
(iii)
the owner or operator of the permitted facility certifies in writing to the Secretary that it will not sell, or otherwise place into commerce, the mercury.
(C)
Subparagraph (B) shall not apply to mercury with respect to which the owner or operator of the permitted facility fails to comply with a certification provided under clause (ii) or (iii) of that subparagraph.
(D)
42 U.S.C. 6925(c)42 U.S.C. 6924(j) A generator producing elemental mercury incidentally from the beneficiation or processing of ore or related pollution control activities may accumulate the mercury produced onsite that is destined for a facility designated by the Secretary under subsection (a) for more than 90 days without a permit issued under section 3005(c) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (), and shall not be subject to the storage prohibition of section 3004(j) of that Act (), if—
(i)
the Secretary is unable to accept the mercury at a facility designated by the Secretary under subsection (a) for reasons beyond the control of the generator;
(ii)
the generator certifies in writing to the Secretary that the generator will ship the mercury to a designated facility when the Secretary is able to accept the mercury;
(iii)
the generator certifies in writing to the Secretary that the generator is storing only mercury the generator has produced or recovered onsite and will not sell, or otherwise place into commerce, the mercury; and
(iv)
the generator has obtained an identification number under section 262.12 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, and complies with the requirements described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 262.34(a) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subparagraph).
(E)

Management standards for temporary storage .—

Not later than , the Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and State agencies in affected States, shall develop and make available guidance that establishes procedures and standards for the management and short-term storage of elemental mercury at a generator covered under subparagraph (D), including requirements to ensure appropriate use of flasks or other suitable containers. Such procedures and standards shall be protective of health and the environment and shall ensure that the elemental mercury is stored in a safe, secure, and effective manner. A generator may accumulate mercury in accordance with subparagraph (D) immediately upon enactment of this subparagraph, and notwithstanding that guidance called for by this paragraph has not been developed or made available.
(h)

Study

Not later than , the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress the results of a study, conducted in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, that—
(1)
determines the impact of the long-term storage program under this section on mercury recycling; and
(2)
includes proposals, if necessary, to mitigate any negative impact identified under paragraph (1).

Pub. L. 110–414, § 5122 Stat. 4344Pub. L. 114–182, title I, § 10(c)130 Stat. 478(, , ; , (d), , , 480.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 89–27279 Stat. 997Pub. L. 94–580, § 290 Stat. 2795section 6901 of this titleThe Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2) and (d)(1), is title II of , , , as amended generally by , , , which is classified generally to this chapter. Subtitle C of the Act is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008, and not as part of the Solid Waste Disposal Act which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

Pub. L. 114–182, § 10(c)(1)2016—Subsec. (a)(2). , substituted “2019” for “2013”.

Pub. L. 114–182, § 10(c)(2)(A)(ii)Subsec. (b)(1)(A). , designated first sentence of par. (1) as subpar. (A) and inserted heading. Former subpar. (A) redesignated cl. (i) of subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 114–182, § 10(c)(2)(A)(i)Subsec. (b)(1)(B). , (iii), (iv), designated second sentence of par. (1) as subpar. (B), inserted heading, substituted “The amount of the fees described in subparagraph (A)” for “The amount of such fees” in introductory provisions, redesignated former subpars. (A) to (C) of par. (1) as cls. (i) to (iii), respectively, of subpar. (B) and realigned margins, substituted “publicly available not later than ” for “publically available not later than ” in cl. (i) and “, subject to clause (iv); and” for period at end of cl. (iii), and added cl. (iv).

Pub. L. 114–182, § 10(c)(2)(A)(v)Subsec. (b)(1)(C). , added subpar. (C). Former subpar. (C) redesignated cl. (iii) of subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 114–182, § 10(c)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “paragraph (1)(B)(iii)” for “paragraph (1)(C)” in first sentence.

Pub. L. 114–182, § 10(d)Subsec. (d)(1). , struck out “in existence on or before ,” after “facility” in fourth sentence and substituted “” for “” in last sentence.

Pub. L. 114–182, § 10(c)(3)(A)Subsec. (g)(2)(C). , (B), redesignated concluding provisions of subpar. (B) as (C), substituted “Subparagraph (B)” for “This subparagraph”, and inserted “of that subparagraph” before period at end.

Pub. L. 114–182, § 10(c)(3)(C)Subsec. (g)(2)(D), (E). , added subpars. (D) and (E).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Deposit of Fees

Pub. L. 116–94, div. C, title III, § 309133 Stat. 2681

section 6939f of title 42“Beginning in fiscal year 2021 and for each fiscal year thereafter, fees collected pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of , United States Code, shall be deposited in ‘Department of Energy—Energy Programs—Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup’ as discretionary offsetting collections.”
, , , provided that: