SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2823

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 26, 1992

Brief Description:  Creating fees for hazardous substances incineration facilities.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Bray, Chandler, Ludwig, Neher, Grant, Dorn, Hochstatter, D. Sommers, May, Valle, Rust, R. Meyers, Pruitt and Nealey)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON REVENUE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Staff:  Phil Moeller (786‑7445)

Hearing Dates: February 27, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Two companies have filed initial applications with the Department of Ecology for hazardous waste incinerators.  One other company has filed a notice of intent to file an application.  The Hazardous Waste Management Act requires the proponent of a hazardous waste disposal facility to negotiate with citizens in the area affected by the proposed facility to address concerns of the community about the impact of the proposal.

In 1991 the Legislature modified the tax on the disposal of low-level radioactive waste.  At the same time, effective in 1993, the Legislature also established a new surcharge on generators of low-level radioactive waste who use the low-level disposal facility.  Beginning in 1994, a portion of the surcharge is deposited in the Hanford area economic investment fund.  The fund is managed by a committee appointed by the Governor in 1993.  The investment decisions are subject to approval by the director of the Department of Trade and Economic Development.

SUMMARY:

There is a fee on hazardous waste received at a hazardous waste incinerator.  If a hazardous waste incinerator is located in a county that is also the site of a low-level radioactive waste facility, a fee of $35 per ton of hazardous waste received shall be deposited in the economic investment fund established for that county.

If an incinerator is located in a county that does not have a low-level radioactive waste facility, the fee is $35 per ton, or an equivalent fee amount considering other payments made by the proponent of the facility in lieu of the fee.  The amount of the fee is then to be determined as part of the citizen proponent negotiation process.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 10, 1992

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.