THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY MILLER, BOYD, CLYMER, DePASQUALE, FLECK, GINGRICH, GRELL, HENNESSEY, HESS, MICOZZIE, SCAVELLO, WAGNER, WATSON, ADOLPH AND QUINN, JANUARY 24, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JANUARY 24, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review

the Commonwealth's program for beneficial use of sewage

sludge by land application.

WHEREAS, In 1997, the Commonwealth established regulations

for the beneficial use of sewage sludge, more commonly referred

to as biosolids, by land application; and

WHEREAS, The regulations are published under 25 Pa. Code Ch.

271 Subch. J (relating to beneficial use of sewage sludge by

land application); and

WHEREAS, Subchapter J establishes standards for general and

individual land application of biosolids permits for the

beneficial use of biosolids by land application; and

WHEREAS, The standards consist of general requirements,

pollutant limits, management practices and operational

standards; and

WHEREAS, Subchapter J also includes pathogen and alternative

vector attraction reduction requirements; and

WHEREAS, The standards in Subchapter J include reporting

requirements and the frequency of monitoring and recordkeeping

requirements when biosolids are applied to the land for

beneficial use; and

WHEREAS, A comprehensive review of the Commonwealth's program

for the beneficial use of biosolids by land application has not

been conducted since the Study on Land Application of Sewage

Sludge in Pennsylvania in 1997; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

undertake a comprehensive review of the beneficial use of

biosolids by land application and prepare a report of its

findings which shall, at a minimum, identify all of the

following:

(1)  The methods currently used for biosolids use and

disposal in this Commonwealth.

(2)  The costs involved with current methods of biosolids

use and disposal.

(3)  The methods used to administer and enforce the

program established under 25 Pa. Code Ch. 271 Subch. J

(relating to beneficial use of sewage sludge by land

application) by the Department of Environmental Protection.

(4)  All appropriate alternatives to current use and

disposal methods employed in this Commonwealth and in other

states, particularly in regard to their economic feasibility

and effects on the environment and on public health in

comparison to current use and disposal methods;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

make a report of its findings and recommendations to the House

of Representatives within one year of adoption of this

resolution.