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House circles bill restricting hazardous waste burning at cement kilns after divisive amendment fight
Summary
After a lengthy debate, the Utah House circled House Bill 165, which would limit cement kilns from accepting hazardous waste unless they meet commercial hazardous-waste facility siting criteria; an amendment to allow solvents under EPA permitting failed and the measure is set aside for further work.
The Utah House debated House Bill 165, aimed at restricting cement and lightweight aggregate kilns from accepting hazardous waste or using it as fuel unless siting criteria for hazardous-waste facilities are met.
Representative Joe Moody, sponsor, said the bill responds to proposals by some cement companies to burn substantial portions of hazardous waste—he said proposals had included up to 40% hazardous waste in kiln feed—and argued current cement plants are not sited or equipped to manage hazardous-waste transport and handling safely.
Representative Hayman proposed an amendment to permit burning certain solvents if a kiln complied with standard Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permitting procedures. Hayman and supporters said EPA rules already control many aspects of hazardous-waste handling and combustion and that limiting the bill to solvents would avoid overreaching or duplicating federal policy.
Opponents, including Representative Jones, argued the amendment would “gut the bill,” weaken siting safeguards and create potential environmental and groundwater risks at specific facilities (the Ash Grove site was cited). Several representatives warned transportation and siting risks remain even when federal permitting exists.
After floor debate and questions about scope and transport risks, the House voted to circle HB165 (set it aside for further work and amendment), indicating members wanted additional drafting to reconcile siting, solvent handling and EPA compliance questions before final passage.
Next steps: HB165 was circled for revision and further consideration by sponsors and committees.
