(a) An emergency permit may be issued if:

(1) There will be an imminent health hazard unless an emergency permit is issued; or

(2) There will be a substantial and irretrievable loss of oil and gas resources, timely application for a permit could not practicably have been made, and injection will not result in movement of fluid into an USDW; or

(3) There will be a substantial delay in oil or gas production, and injection will not result in movement of fluid into an USDW.

(b) Requirements—(1) Permit duration. (i) Emergency permits issued to avoid an imminent health threat may last no longer than the time necessary to prevent the hazard.

(ii) Emergency permits issued to prevent a substantial and irretrievable loss of oil or gas resources shall be for no longer than 90 days, unless a complete permit application has been submitted during that time; in which case the emergency permit may be extended until a final decision on the permit application has been made.

(iii) Emergency permits to avoid a substantial delay in oil or gas production shall be issued only after a complete permit application has been submitted and shall be effective until a final decision on the permit application is made.

(2) Notice of the emergency permit will be given by the Regional Administrator according to the notice procedure for a draft permit within 10 days after issuance.

(3) An emergency permit may be oral or written. If oral, a written emergency permit must be issued within five calendar days.