Environment (Hazardous Materials)

HB 934 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to prohibit new landfills (for municipal, residual, or hazardous waste) from being located within 2,500 feet of any occupied dwelling. This rule applies specifically to landfill permit applications seeking initial approval, reopening, or expansion that have not yet been finalized by the Department of Environmental Protection or a court. The bill directly affects landfill operators seeking new permits and residents living near potential landfill sites. It creates a mandatory buffer zone around homes to address proximity concerns, without altering existing landfill operations.

SB 611 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act by updating the definition of "hazardous substance" to explicitly include specific perfluorinated chemicals (like PFOA and PFOS) and their equivalents. This change directly affects entities responsible for cleaning up contaminated sites, as these newly listed chemicals will now trigger the Act's cleanup requirements. The bill also clarifies that petroleum, natural gas, and certain coal combustion wastes remain excluded from the definition. This definition update ensures consistent application of cleanup standards for these chemicals under the Act.