(a)  To the extent consistent with the federal act, the following activities are exempt from this article, including the requirements of obtaining a hazardous waste facilities permit or other grant of authorization from the department, if the activity is conducted at the site where the material was generated and the management of the waste meets the requirements of subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 25143.9 and subdivisions (b) and (c) of this section:

(1)  Except as provided in subdivision (b), the separation of used oil from water, if all other applicable laws and regulations are met, the used oil is properly transported to an authorized oil recycler, and the separation is accomplished by using one of the following methods:

(A)  Gravity separation.

(B)  A centrifuge.

(C)  Membrane technology.

(D)  Heating of the water containing the used oil to a temperature that is not more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit below the flashpoint of the used oil component of the mixture at atmospheric pressure.

(E)  The addition of demulsifiers to the water containing the used oil.

(2)  (A)  The operation of a totally enclosed treatment unit or facility, as defined in Section 66260.10 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, when authorized by regulations adopted by the department pursuant to subparagraph (B).

(B)  The department shall adopt regulations pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code exempting this type of unit or facility from this article to the extent that the department determines that the exemption is consistent with the protection of public health, safety, and the environment.

(b)  For purposes of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the separation of used oil from water does not include a method using any of the following:

(1)  Contaminated groundwater.

(2)  Water containing any measurable amount of gasoline or more than 2 percent of a combination of Number 1 or Number 2 diesel fuel.

(3)  Used oil and water which contain other constituents that render the material hazardous under the regulations adopted pursuant to Sections 25140 and 25141.

(c)  A generator operating pursuant to subdivision (a) shall meet all of the following conditions:

(1)  The generator complies with the conditions of subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 25201.5.

(2)  The generator submits a notification that is in compliance with paragraph (7) of subdivision (d) of Section 25201.5 on or before April 1, 1996, or if the generator is commencing the first treatment of waste pursuant to this section, not less than 60 days prior to the date of commencing treatment of that waste pursuant to this section. Upon demonstration of good cause by the generator, the department may allow a shorter time period than 60 days between notification and commencement of hazardous waste treatment pursuant to this section. The generator shall be in compliance with all other notification requirements of subdivision (d) of Section 25201.5.

(3)  The generator maintains adequate records to demonstrate that the requirements and conditions of this section are met, including appropriate waste sampling and analysis records, to demonstrate that none of the water and used oil mixtures listed in subdivision (b) are treated pursuant to this section. All records required pursuant to this paragraph and subdivision (d) of Section 25201.5 shall be maintained onsite for a period of at least three years.

(4)  Except as provided in Section 25404.5, the generator submits a one-time fee in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) to the department as part of the notification required by paragraph (2), at the same time that notification is submitted, unless the generator is subject to a fee under a permit-by-rule or a grant of conditional authorization pursuant to Section 25200.3.

(5)  (A)  If the generator is conducting treatment pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the generator complies with the phase I environmental assessment requirements of Section 25200.14, except for subdivisions (d), (f), and (g) of Section 25200.14. The generator shall not be required to comply with this subparagraph until the department completes an evaluation of the phase I environmental assessment requirement, pursuant to Section 25200.14.1, and until any revisions resulting from that evaluation are implemented by statute or regulation.

(B)  A generator conducting treatment pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall not be required to conduct any site investigations, beyond that required by subparagraph (A), or to initiate remediation activities until the department adopts regulations specifying the criteria and procedures for corrective action at non-RCRA facilities.

(C)  This paragraph does not limit the authority of the department or a unified program agency approved pursuant to Section 25404.1 to issue an order pursuant to Section 25187.1 or to order corrective action pursuant to Section 25187.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 450, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2002.)