SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1670

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Cooper, D. Sommers, Sprenkle, May, Meyers, Jacobsen, Ferguson, Fisher, Walker, Peery, Holland, Pruitt, Rust, Todd and Unsoeld)

Providing for the certification of operators of solid waste incinerators.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Owen, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Henry Yates (786-7708)

                  February 23, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 23, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Ecology has adopted rules that require more environmentally sound landfills and that specific criteria and procedures be followed when operating a solid waste incinerator.  This requires that those in charge of the facilities must have adequate training to ensure smooth operation.

Landfills can be a source of groundwater, air and soil contamination.  Solid waste incinerators can, if not operated properly, create air pollution.

There are state certification programs for other environmental facilities such as sewage treatment and drinking water supply plants.  At this time, there is no state certification program for those who operate landfills or solid waste incinerators.

SUMMARY:

By January 1, 1991, the owner or operator of a solid waste incineration facility or certain types of landfills are to employ a certified operator.  The person who is on-site and responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facility is to be certified by the Department of Ecology.  The department is to develop rules for certification of incinerator and landfill operators using specific criteria.

The agency is to establish a certification process for incinerator and landfill operators and to rely on standards and procedures developed by a national organization and the federal government.  The department is to adopt rules requiring incinerator and appropriate landfill operators to attend training sessions, demonstrate skill and competency, renew certification at reasonable intervals, establish fees to cover the costs of the program, establish an appeals process for denial or revocation of a certificate and establish a process to automatically certify operators who have received comparable certification from another government entity or professional organization. 

A board of advisors for solid waste incinerator and landfill operator certification is established as a subcommittee of the solid waste advisory committee.  It is to be comprised of five members appointed by the agency director.  The board is to comment and review agency rules.  Standards are included to allow the director, with the recommendation of the board, to revoke certification.

Public agency landfill and incineration inspectors are to be certified under the program.  The department's director is given specific authority to carry out the certification program.

After January 1, 1991, all persons operating an incineration or landfill facility must be certified by the department.  Persons not certified or in violation of any of the chapter's provisions are guilty of a misdemeanor.

All receipts realized in administration of the program are to be deposited into the general fund.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative David Cooper, Sponsor