ANALYSIS OF E2SSB 5730

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                                    April 2, 1999

     Changing financial responsibility requirements for operators of solid waste landfills.

Background:

Under current law, all permitted solid waste landfills must be able to pay for the closure and post closure care of the facility.  Regulations require that public facilities establish a reserve account dedicated for closure.  The reserve account funds accrue gradually over the life of the facility and should equal the original cost estimate for closure and post closure care of the facility.  Private facilities are allowed to use alternative funding mechanisms.

Summary of Bill: 

A new legal category of large, above-grade landfills is created.  These landfills have a design of greater than 100 acres, average more than 100 feet in height above the existing site, and are wholly new facilities.  The permit applicants or holders for these landfills must demonstrate that they have the financial capability to deal with the cleanup and closure at the facility due to an emergency that breaches the integrity of the landfill such as a geologic or weather-related event.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 17, 1999.

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