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Joint committee advances bill to limit landfills over important aquifers, flags ash reuse concerns
Summary
The joint Health & Human Services and Water & Land committees passed HB 969 (HD2) with amendments and a committee report noting county needs to determine 'no‑pass' zones and that ash reuse concerns should be handled case‑by‑case. Testimony emphasized aquifer protection and urged prohibition of toxic incinerator ash in roads and unlined sites.
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, sitting jointly with the Senate Committee on Water and Land, voted to pass House Bill 969 (HD2) with amendments and committee report language addressing aquifer protection and ash reuse.
Witnesses from counties, the Board of Water Supply, environmental groups and industry described concerns and requested clarifications. The Department of Health’s testimony recommended discarding the phrase “significant aquifer” because it is subject to variable interpretation and proposed other options, including use of a “no‑pass zone” tied to county integrated solid waste management plans or referencing the state’s underground injection control areas.
Public and environmental witnesses urged stronger prohibitions on using toxic incinerator ash as road base or landfill cover; the Energy Justice Network requested an explicit ban. County and city witnesses asked for clarity about whether convenience centers or redemption centers would be categorized as waste disposal facilities.
The committees adopted amendments and directed committee report language that notes the Board of Water Supply’s concerns, leaves county-level determinations of no‑pass zones to counties (and notes that counties may need time and appropriations to develop such zones), and records that ash reuse levers should be considered on a case‑by‑case basis while documenting stakeholder concerns about ash over aquifers. HB 969 (HD2) will proceed to the next step with those committee amendments and report notes.
