PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 327
PRINTER'S NO. 2682
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
60
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY EMRICK, MILLARD, SANKEY, MURT, ROSS, BENNINGHOFF,
MAJOR, MUSTIO, KORTZ, D. PARKER, GOODMAN, MAHER AND HANNA,
FEBRUARY 4, 2015
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND
ENERGY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED,
DECEMBER 18, 2015
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 sewage sludge permits for the
beneficial use of sewage sludge 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
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
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 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; METHODS.
(5) ANY ALTERNATIVE BENEFICIAL USE, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION AND ABANDONED MINE
RECLAMATION, AND ANY OBSTACLES THAT MAY HINDER THE EXPANSION
OF ANY ALTERNATIVE BENEFICIAL USE OF BIOSOLIDS;
and be it further
20150HR0060PN2682 - 2 -
<--
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
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.
20150HR0060PN2682 - 3 -
1
2
3
4