Coal combustion by-product impoundments; closure requirements. (SB537)

Introduced By

Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Coal combustion by-product impoundments; closure requirements. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to require the closure of surface impoundments of coal combustion by-products, commonly called coal ash ponds, by July 1, 2020. The bill applies to impoundments that managed such by-products from the generation of electricity by an electric utility or independent power producer prior to December 4, 2015, including those impoundments that, prior to December 4, 2015, have been closed by capping in place or have received Department approval for closure by capping in place. The bill requires that the coal combustion by-products be removed for disposal in a permitted landfill meeting federal criteria, and that the impoundment site be reclaimed in a manner consistent with federal mine reclamation standards, for closure to be deemed complete. The bill allows an investor-owned public electric utility to recover the costs of closure from customers. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/13/2016Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16100920D
01/13/2016Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/21/2016Impact statement from DPB (SB537)
02/04/2016Committee amendment
02/04/2016Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (7-Y 7-N 1-A) (see vote tally)