§ 130A-310.54.  (Repealed effective June 30, 2031) Mercury Pollution Prevention Fund.

(a) The Mercury Pollution Prevention Fund is established in the Department. Revenue is credited to the Fund from the certificate of title fee under G.S. 20-85.

(b) Revenue in the Mercury Pollution Prevention Fund shall be used for the following purposes:

(1) To reimburse the Department and others for costs incurred in implementing the mercury switch removal program.

(2) To establish and implement recycling programs for products containing mercury, including at least recycling programs for light bulbs and thermostats.

(b1) The reimbursable costs under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section are:

(1) Five dollars ($5.00) for each mercury switch removed by a vehicle crusher, vehicle dismantler, vehicle recycler, or scrap vehicle processing facility pursuant to this Article and sent to destination facilities in accordance with the NVMSRP for recycling or disposal.

(2) Costs incurred by the Department in administering the program.

(c) The Department shall reimburse vehicle crushers, vehicle dismantlers, vehicle recyclers, and scrap vehicle processing facilities based on a reimbursement request that attests to the number of switches sent to destination facilities for recycling or disposal in accordance with the NVMSRP. Each reimbursement request shall be verified against information posted on the Internet site provided by the vehicle manufacturers in accordance with the NVMSRP, or against other information that verifies the reimbursement requested to the satisfaction of the Department. The vehicle crusher, vehicle dismantler, vehicle recycler, or scrap vehicle processing facility shall provide the Department with any information requested by the Department to verify the accuracy of a reimbursement request. Each vehicle crusher, vehicle dismantler, vehicle recycler, or scrap vehicle processing facility shall maintain accurate records that support each reimbursement request for a minimum of three years from the date the reimbursement request is approved. (2005-384, s. 1; 2006-255, s. 5; 2007-142, ss. 4, 9; 2011-145, s. 13.10B(a); 2016-94, s. 14.1(a); 2017-57, s. 13.21(a), (b); 2020-74, s. 7(a), (b).)