SB 0384

SB 384 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

AN ACT establishing a committee to study pollution prevention and pretreatment programs for reducing pollutant levels in sewage sludge.

SPONSORS: Sen. Wheeler, Dist 21; Sen. Russman, Dist 19; Sen. Cohen, Dist 24; Sen. Below, Dist 5; Sen. Fernald, Dist 11; Rep. Robb-Theroux, Sull 9; Rep. Martin, Hills 34;

This bill establishes a committee to study pollution prevention and pretreatment programs for reducing pollutant levels in sewage sludge.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT establishing a committee to study pollution prevention and pretreatment programs for reducing pollutant levels in sewage sludge.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Purpose. The general court recognizes that there is an ongoing scientific debate about the potential for environmental contamination caused by pollutants associated with using sewage sludge for agricultural, land application, and reclamation purposes. The purpose of this study committee is to recommend pollution prevention and pretreatment programs that cities and towns can adopt that will reduce the levels of pollutants discharged to sewers and wastewater treatment plants, resulting in cleaner sewage sludge.

2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study pollution prevention and pretreatment programs for reducing pollutant levels in sewage sludge.

(a) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, including one member each from the environment committee, the finance committee, and the public affairs committee.

(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house, including one member each from the environment and agriculture committee, the municipal and county government committee, and the finance committee.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

I. Recommend a pollution prevention program that will significantly reduce pollutant levels in sewage sludge at wastewater treatment plants around the state. The program should include a combination of strong industry regulation and pollution prevention to reduce and minimize the levels of pollutants that may enter sewer systems.

II. Recommend program goals for significant reductions in sewage sludge pollutant levels, such as a reduction in the level of metals in sewage sludge by 60 to 90 percent over a 10 year period.

III. Recommend funding sources for the program, including money for pilot programs.

V. Recommend how the pollution prevention program should be administered, and whether it should be a combination state and local program.

VI. Determine the total cost of such a program, taking into consideration all the communities in the state with wastewater treatment plants.

VII. Compare the costs of pollution prevention programs with treatment process upgrades.

VIII. Review innovative technologies for treating sewage sludge not currently being used in the state, and make recommendations for pilot programs using new technologies that will generate cleaner sludge in New Hampshire.

5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2001.