SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1814

                     AS OF MARCH 26, 1993

Brief Description:  Requiring additional financial responsibility for hazardous waste disposal facilities that incinerate hazardous wastes or substances.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Hansen, Chandler, Rust and Bray)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Staff:  Shannon Murphy (786‑7483)

Hearing Dates: March 29, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Environmental Protection Agency's rules implementing the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act require hazardous waste disposal facility operators to maintain financial responsibility.  An operator of an incinerator facility must maintain financial responsibility of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate for damages resulting from an accidental release.  The financial responsibility may be in the form of insurance, a bond, or self-insurance under appropriate circumstances.  These financial responsibility requirements are implemented by the Department of Ecology on the facilities for which it is responsible.

SUMMARY:

The operator of a hazardous waste incinerator with a permitted handling capacity of 5,000 tons or more annually shall maintain financial responsibility of at least $25 million to compensate for personal injury or damages to property resulting from discharges or emissions from the facility.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available