(a) A recipient of a loan to perform an action to respond to a release or threatened release of a hazardous material at an eligible property that is granted pursuant to this article may also use the loan funds to pay the premium for environmental insurance products to facilitate the development of the site, if the insurance company has an A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of A+ or better and an A.M. Best Financial Size Category of FSC X or larger and is authorized to offer environmental insurance in California.
(b) A loan provided pursuant to this article shall not be used to pay for a phase I environmental assessment, a preliminary endangerment assessment, the department’s oversight of actions necessary to respond to the release or threatened release of hazardous material at an eligible property, or any operation and maintenance activity at a site.