This bill strengthens Pennsylvania's existing hazardous waste laws by creating a new chapter focused on immediate spill response and protecting residential areas. It defines hazardous substances to include petroleum products and other dangerous materials, then imposes strict liability on responsible parties to immediately contain and clean up any discharge that threatens public health or the environment. The Department of Environmental Protection gains expanded authority to issue directives, enter private property, and recover cleanup costs from those who cause spills, ensuring rapid action in residential communities.
HB 2249 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to clarify the definition of "biosolid" and establish new requirements for its management. The bill prohibits land application of biosolids if levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exceed state limits, and mandates resampling and treatment before land application if those limits are exceeded. It also creates regulations for the beneficial use of municipal waste, requiring monitoring for up to one year, notification of property changes, and departmental oversight for waste stored beyond that period. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection to propose a state fund for hazardous waste site cleanup if federal funding proves inadequate.
SB 1157 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to require immediate action for hazardous substance spills in residential areas. The bill mandates that responsible parties (such as owners, operators, or transporters) must promptly contain, clean up, and remove discharges threatening public health, drinking water, or residential environments. It imposes strict liability on these parties without requiring proof of fault and authorizes the Department of Environmental Resources to issue cleanup directives. The law aims to ensure faster responses to spills endangering homes, water supplies, and residents, aligning with Pennsylvania's constitutional environmental protections.
HB 2229 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to clarify and expand the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) authority. It requires the DEP to propose a state fund funded by facility surcharges if federal hazardous waste cleanup funding proves inadequate, targeting abandoned or closed hazardous waste sites. The bill also establishes new regulations for the "beneficial use" of municipal and residual waste, including mandatory monitoring for waste stored longer than one year and requiring facilities to report changes in waste properties. Additionally, it mandates that the DEP forward EPA violation notices to affected municipalities and allows municipalities to opt out of receiving these notices. These changes directly affect waste management facilities, municipalities handling residual waste, and the DEP's enforcement processes.
SB 335 increases the annual funding limit for county tire collection events under Pennsylvania's waste tire program from $100,000 to $250,000 per county. This amendment affects local governments organizing tire collection events by allowing them to access more state funds for these activities. The bill modifies Section 209(d) of the 1996 waste tire law, specifically adjusting the spending cap without creating new programs or changing eligibility rules. It directly impacts counties conducting tire collection events as part of the existing Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program.
SB 454 amends Pennsylvania’s Solid Waste Management Act to update definitions of "drill cuttings" (specifying they include oil/gas drilling waste disposed at well sites under certain conditions) and "hazardous waste" (explicitly excluding coal refuse and treatment sludges from coal mine drainage). It revises permit application requirements to mandate that operators demonstrate compliance with key environmental laws like the Clean Streams Law and Surface Mining Act. The bill also removes conflicting language from another statute regarding hazardous waste definitions. These changes clarify regulatory requirements for waste management facilities, oil/gas operators, and municipalities handling waste under the Solid Waste Management Act.
Senate Bill 664 amends an existing law related to waste tire recycling to introduce new requirements for replacement tires. It mandates that when an individual replaces a vehicle tire at a business that sells tires, the business must keep the old tire for recycling. The individual is not permitted to remove the waste tire from the business. This provision applies to tires that no longer meet safety inspection standards or are expected to fail within three months, but not to tires that are only being repaired.
HB 574 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to update definitions and establish emergency water protections. It specifically adds PFAS chemicals (like PFOA and PFOS) to the definition of "hazardous substance" and creates a new designation for "special drinking water resource-impacted communities" when groundwater or surface water exceeds 10 parts per trillion of PFAS over a 12-month average or contains other pollutants threatening public water supplies. The bill grants the Governor authority to declare such communities and set immediate emergency water standards and cleanup requirements without waiting for full site remediation. This directly affects municipalities with contaminated water sources, particularly those dealing with PFAS contamination requiring urgent public health responses. The changes aim to streamline emergency actions for communities facing immediate drinking water risks from hazardous substances.
HB 662 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to clarify definitions and add new requirements for site owners. It updates the definition of "department" to specify the Department of Environmental Protection and creates a new section requiring owners of identified contaminated sites to conduct annual release testing for hazardous substances. Owners must also reimburse the department as outlined in existing section 507. This bill directly affects property owners at sites containing hazardous substances above background levels, including federal Superfund sites. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 935 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to prohibit new or expanded landfills (for municipal, residual, or hazardous waste) within three miles of any municipality with a population density of at least 1,000 residents per square mile. This directly affects landfill operators seeking permits to open, reopen, or expand operations that haven't yet received final approval from the Department of Environmental Protection or a court. The key provision establishes a 3-mile buffer zone around densely populated areas to restrict landfill siting. The law applies immediately to permit applications pending final approval.
