Changes in Ownership – Permit Transfers
This guidance document is advisory in nature but is binding on an agency until amended by such agency. A guidance document does not include internal procedural documents that only affect the internal operations of the agency and does not impose additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties or include confidential information or rules and regulations made in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. If you believe that this guidance document imposes additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties, you may request a review of the document.

Form #: 15-001a Guidance Documents Revised: 2/21/23

Changes in Ownership – Permit Transfers


When a facility regulated by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) changes ownership, the owner or operator may be required to notify the NDEE for permits to transfer legally.

While not all NDEE-issued permits can be transferred from the existing permittee to the new ownership, most can. Typically, the current owner and new owner must file a written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage and liability as part of the permit transfer process. Other requirements and notification periods can vary by program. The following provides a summary of the conditions for the proper transfer of air, water, and waste management permits from one owner to another.

NDEE encourages any person considering a permit transfer to contact the appropriate agency division or the Small Business and Public Assistance Coordinator. Contact information provided below.

Permits Issued by the Air Quality Division

Title 129 – Air Quality Regulations allows an administrative permit amendment for a change in ownership or operational control of a Title 129-permitted source if the Department determines that no other change in the permit is necessary. Chapter 15 outlines what must be submitted to the NDEE to request an administrative amendment to construction and operating permits issued by the NDEE. The written request for a change in ownership or operational control must include a written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between the current and new permittee. NDEE is required to take action on the request within 60 days.

Permits Issued by the Water Quality Division

NPDES Permits

Livestock Waste Permits
  • Title 130 – Livestock Waste Control Regulations Chapter 6 authorizes the transfer of a construction and operating permit, construction approval, operating permit or NPDES permit issued under Title 130. Title 130-issued permits require submission of a completed Applicant Disclosure form (Appendix C), completed by the new owner or operator, and a Transfer Request form (Appendix D), signed and dated by the current authorized representative, and the authorized representative for the proposed owner or operator at least 30 days prior to the proposed transfer. The transfer is effective only upon written approval by the NDEE Director.

Injection and Mineral Production Well Permits

  • Title 122 – Rules and Regulations for Underground Injection and Mineral Production Wells, Chapter 29 governs permit transfers of underground injection and mineral production well permits.
  • Permits for Class I wells (wells which inject fluids beneath the lowermost formation of an underground source of drinking water, including industrial and municipal waste disposal wells) and Class III wells (wells which inject fluids to promote extraction of mineral resources or energy), may only be transferred if NDEE approves and reissues the permit with any additional requirements the NDEE determines are necessary. A written agreement between the current and proposed new permittee containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between them is required and must be received at least 90 days before the proposed transfer. The request must also specify how the new permittee will meet the financial responsibility requirements.
  • Permits for Class V wells (wells that are not categorized as Class I – IV wells, and are typically drainage, domestic wastewater, industrial or commercial/utility disposal or related wells) may be transferred if the current permittee notifies the Director at least 30 days in advance of the proposed transfer date and includes a written agreement between the existing and new permittee containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability, and demonstrates that the financial responsibility requirements will be met by the new permittee.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Permits

Chemigation Permits
  • The Nebraska Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) issue chemigation permits. Title 195 – Chemigation Regulations, prohibits the transfer of chemigation permits. Except for emergency chemigation permits, chemigation permits issued during a calendar year expire on June 1 of the following year. Permits may be renewed each year upon payment of the annual renewal fee and completion of an application form providing all the necessary information requirements.


Permits (and Identification Numbers) Issued by the Waste Management Division

Notification Requirements for Small Quantity and Large Quantity Hazardous Waste Generators
  • Title 128 – Nebraska Hazardous Waste Regulations, Chapter 4 describes the notification requirements for Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) and Large Quantity Generators (LQGs). SQGs and LQGs are required to have a DEE/EPA Identification Number. If a facility changes ownership, the owner or operator must notify NDEE within 30 days to update their information by following instructions outlined in EPA Form 8700-12.

Permits for Hazardous Waste Management Units
  • Title 128 – Nebraska Hazardous Waste Regulations outlines permit requirements for owners or operators of active (or closing) hazardous waste management units, as well as post-closure permits for surface impoundments, landfills, land treatment units, and waste pile units. Chapter 12 identifies when a permit is required. For those facilities that do require permits under Title 128, Chapter 15 outlines the requirements for permit issuance and permit changes including transfer of ownership. A permit may be transferred by the permittee to a new owner or operator only if the permit has been modified or revoked and reissued in accordance with the procedures described in Chapter 15. The new owner or operator must submit a revised permit application no later than 90 days prior to the scheduled change. The current permittee and new owner or operator must submit a written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility between must to the NDEE Director. The new owner or operator must demonstrate compliance with the financial responsibility requirements within six months of the date of the change of ownership or operational control of the facility. Permits for land disposal facilities cannot be transferred. The new owner or operator must submit an application and obtain a new permit.

Permits for Solid Waste Management Facilities
  • Title 132 – Integrated Solid Waste Management Regulations describes permitting requirements for operating a solid waste management facility. Title 132 permits may be transferred in accordance with Chapter 2 procedures only upon the approval of the NDEE Director. The new owner and operator must sign and submit a form provided by the NDEE. Necessary supporting documentation, such as the operational plan, contingency plan and any references to financial assurance may also need to be modified; review the existing permit and supporting documentation for any necessary modifications prior to submitting a signed application form. A permit transfer is subject to public notice participation procedures and requires demonstration of compliance with the financial responsibility requirements by the new owner or operator.


Waste Tire Haulers

Paunch Waste
  • Title 126 - Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Management of Wastes, governs permits for the land application of paunch waste. These permits may be transferred in accordance with Chapter 2. In order for a Title 126-issued permit to be transferred, NDEE must be notified in writing at least 60 days prior to the proposed transfer, including a written agreement between the permittee and the proposed permittee indicating a date for permit responsibility and transfer.

Permit Transfer Requirement – Summary Table

Permit or Notification
Regulation
Notification Timeframe
Air Construction
Title 129, Chapter 15
Allowed at the Date of the
Transfer of Ownership
Agreement is signed
Air Operating
Title 129, Chapter 15
Allowed at the Date of the
Transfer of Ownership
Agreement is signed
NPDES
Title 119, Chapter 24
30 Days, in Advance
Livestock Waste
Title 130, Chapter 6
30 Days, in Advance
UIC Class I or Class III
Title 122, Chapter 29
90 Days, in Advance
UIC Class V
Title 122, Chapter 29
30 Days, in Advance
Onsite Wastewater
Title 124, Chapter 3
Automatic Transfer
Chemigation
Title 195, Chapter 4
Non-Transferrable, Contact your NRD
DEE/EPA Identification Number
Title 128, Chapter 4
30 Days
Hazardous Waste Management
Title 128, Chapter 15
90 Days, in Advance
Solid Waste Management
Title 132, Chapter 2
Contact Department
Waste Tire Haulers
Title 132, Chapter 14
Not Applicable
Management of Waste
Title 126, Chapter 2
60 Days, in Advance

RESOURCES:



Contacts:
  • NDEE Main Line (402) 471-2186
  • NDEE Toll Free Number (877) 253-2603
  • NDEE Hazardous Waste Compliance Assistant (402) 471-8308
  • Email questions to: NDEE.moreinfo@nebraska.gov

NDEE Publications:

Produced by: Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, P.O. Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922; phone (402) 471-2186. To view this, and other information related to our agency, visit our web site at http://dee.ne.gov.