Law No. XI-1550 On geological storage of carbon dioxide .

This Law establishes the rights, duties and responsibilities of individuals with regard to the exploration, use and closure of carbon dioxide geological storage, the state management of carbon dioxide geological storage, the selection of carbon dioxide geological storage facilities, the conditions for the issuance, renewal and withdrawal of authorization for exploration for carbon storage facilities, and for the storage of carbon dioxide. The objective of geological storage of carbon dioxide is to reduce climate change by permanently isolating carbon dioxide in such a way as to avoid adverse effects on the environment and human health, or, if that is not possible, to minimize such effects and risks. The areas of the national territory that can be explored for the purpose of the construction of repositories are selected on the basis of possible use of subsoil resources, economic and social needs of the country. The Ministry of Environment assesses the national territory and submits proposals to the Government regarding the approval of areas of the national territory in which the storage facilities are not permitted. Certain areas of the national territory shall be prohibited for geological storage of carbon dioxide because of possible leakage due to the type of geological formation, slide of rock or brine polluting freshwater layer. Exploration permit for identification of location for geological carbon storage facilities shall be issued through tenders. Operator of dioxide carbon storage facility must obtain permit for such activity. A permit to store carbon dioxide in a single storage facility shall be granted to only one operator. The authorization to store carbon dioxide shall be open-ended. Carbon dioxide flow subject to storage must be free of waste or other additional substances. This Law consists of VII Sections divided into 21 Articles. Section I lays down general provisions. Section II regards state management of geological storage of carbon dioxide. Section III regards selection of carbon dioxide storage sites and permit for exploration. Section IV regards authorization for storage of carbon dioxide. Section V establishes obligations related to operation, closure and post-closure management of carbon dioxide storage facility. Section VI regards dispute settlement and international cooperation. Section VII lays down final provisions.