HB 570, the "Responsible Firefighting Foam Management Act," restricts the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals for training and testing. It prohibits any person, local government, or state agency from discharging Class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS for training or practice purposes. For testing, these foams are also prohibited unless required by law or an authority, and the testing facility has implemented measures to prevent environmental releases. The bill mandates the use of non-fluorinated alternatives for training and is set to become effective on December 1, 2025.
SB 728 requires permits for utility-scale battery storage systems (1+ megawatt capacity) in North Carolina, affecting companies building or operating these facilities. The bill mandates that owners submit emergency response plans, decommissioning plans, and proof of financial responsibility to the Department of Environmental Quality before installation. It requires systems to be properly decommissioned within one year of shutdown, including recycling components like batteries and cables, restoring the site to pre-installation conditions, and covering all associated costs. Owners must also coordinate with local emergency officials and detail disposal methods for hazardous waste under the plan.
HB 873, titled "DEQ Agency Bill," proposes various changes to statutes governing the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The bill authorizes the DEQ to use public schools and other tax-maintained buildings for public hearings, subject to conditions like not interfering with school activities and covering custodial fees. It also clarifies that landowners who purchase property with knowledge of hazardous waste and then cause exposure or migration are considered responsible parties for inactive hazardous sites. Additionally, the bill sets requirements for off-site hazardous waste recycling facilities and modifies the payment schedule for Brownfields agreement fees into two installments.
HB 77 requires North Carolina state agencies to evaluate the cumulative environmental impact of proposed permits on minority and low-income communities before approving them. It directly affects developers seeking permits for mining, solid waste facilities, hazardous waste sites, and other projects, as well as the communities near these sites. Key provisions mandate that agencies deny permits if proposed actions would disproportionately harm these communities when considering existing pollution sources in the area, and require detailed impact analyses in all relevant reports and plans. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to pending permit applications on that date.
SB 481 defines key terms for "advanced recycling" in North Carolina, specifically targeting manufacturers using chemical recycling processes. It establishes "mass balance attribution" (a trackable system for counting recycled materials) and "recycled products" (products made via this method), while requiring "third-party certification" for these processes. Crucially, the bill clarifies that products labeled as "recycled" under these definitions still must comply with all existing air, water, and hazardous waste laws. This bill directly affects chemical recycling manufacturers and the regulatory framework governing their products, without creating new environmental requirements. The definitions aim to standardize how recycled content is measured and reported under current environmental statutes.
SB 597 requires North Carolina state agencies to evaluate the cumulative environmental impact of proposed permits on minority and low-income communities before granting approvals. This applies to mining, waste facilities, hazardous waste sites, and other projects requiring state permits, directly affecting permit applicants and state agencies like the Department of Environmental Quality. The bill mandates that agencies deny permits if they find the proposed project would have a disproportionate adverse impact on these communities, considering existing environmental burdens in the area. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for all pending permit applications.
