[§342J-56]  Emergency powers;procedures.  (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, if thegovernor or the director determines that the past or present handling of anyused oil or used oil fuel may present an imminent and substantial endangermentto health or the environment, the governor or the director, without a publichearing, may secure or order relief that may be necessary to abate the dangeror threat.  The order shall fix a place and time, not later than twenty-fourhours thereafter, for a hearing to be held before the director.  The governoror the director may also institute a civil action in any court of competentjurisdiction to secure any relief that may be necessary to abate the danger orthreat.

(b)  Nothing in this section shall be construedto limit any power which the governor or any other officer may have to declarean emergency and act on the basis of the declaration, if the power is conferredby statute or constitutional provision, or inheres in the office. [L 1996, c82, pt of §1]