Jacob Shepherd, P.E. – Legislative Liaison/SCS Engineers – jshepherd@scsengineers.com

SWANA Updates

SWANA Signs On to Renewable Natural Gas Incentive Act

SWANA has added its name to a letter of support for the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Incentive Act, which provides a tax credit for the sale or use of RNG as a transportation fuel. The letter states that the RNG Incentive Act will allow for reduced greenhouse gas emissions especially in the use of heavy- duty vehicles.

SWANA Joins Discussions on EPA Surface Emission Monitoring

SWANA recently joined an informal discussion with the EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) regarding their approaches to surface emission monitoring. Some landfill operators have been observing that the test procedures used by the OECA inspectors have varied from past procedures and from the standards set in the federal regulations. The meeting was organized by industry groups and representatives from the landfill sector that have concerns with the variance in procedures. EPA’s enforcement and compliance priorities for 2024 through 2027 include landfill methane emissions (https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-08/fy2024-27necis.pdf), and we seek to work with EPA to ensure consistency between industry practices and EPA expectations for compliance. SWANA is requesting inputs from public sector landfills regarding any recent EPA surface emission monitoring and the processes used by EPA.

Legislative Updates

Federal

H.R.2448 – Renewable Natural Gas Incentive Act – Provides a $1 per gallon tax credit on the sale or use of RNG as a transportation fuel.

Additionally, the Legislative Committee continues to monitor the bills listed below: H.R.652/S.177 – Zero Food Waste Act – Referred to subcommittee H.R.651/S.179 – COMPOST Act – Referred to subcommittee

S.1189 – Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2023 – Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar.

S.1194 – Recycling and Composting Accountability Act – Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar.

OSHA Announces Switch from Traditional Hard Hats to Safety Helmets

[from Waste Advantage] OSHA announced that the agency is replacing traditional hard hats used by its employees with more modern safety helmets to protect them better when they are on inspection sites. In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports head injuries accounted for nearly 6 percent of non-fatal occupational injuries involving days away from work. Almost half of those injuries occurred when workers came in contact with an object or equipment while about 20 percent were caused by slips, trips and falls.

On Nov. 22, 2023, OSHA published a Safety and Health Information Bulletin detailing key differences between traditional hard hats and more modern safety helmets and the advancements in design, materials and other features that help protect workers’ entire heads better. Today’s safety helmets may also offer face shields or goggles to protect against projectiles, dust and chemical splashes. Others offer built-in hearing protection and/or communication systems to enable clear communication in noisy environments.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA Releases Draft National Food Waste Strategy

The Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics was released on December 2nd, 2023 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The goal of the strategy is to “Prevent the loss and waste of food, where possible; increase recycling of food and other organic materials to support a more circular economy for all; reduce GHG emissions; save households and businesses money; and build cleaner, healthier communities.” The public comment period for this strategy ends on February 3, 2024.

Maryland Legislative/News

The 446th legislative session convened on January 10, 2024 and will adjourn on April 8, 2024. Bills related to solid waste and recycling:

HB0001 – Paint Stewardship

HB0163/SB0056 – Food Waste and Solid Waste Reduction – Establishes an On-Farm Organic Diversion and Composting Grant Program to award grants to eligible entities to assist with the costs of developing and implementing on-farm composting and compost use, food waste prevention, and food rescue projects, in an effort to reduce food waste from agricultural and service facilities. Additionally, it would require MDE to use funds from the Reduce, Recycle, Remanufacture Fund to support the Grant Program to Reduce and Compost School Waste. Would be funded by a statewide solid waste disposal surcharge.

MDE to Require Monitoring for PFAS

On January 5, 2024, MDE Solid Waste announced that it will require landfills conducting groundwater monitoring to analyze for PFAS chemicals starting July 1, 2024. Of note, PFOA and PFOS will have maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of 4.0 ng/L.

Anne Arundel, Prince Georges Bag Bans Effective

[From MACO] On January 1, 2024, plastic bag bans took effect in Anne Arundel and Prince Georges Counties. Links to each bag ban and details are provided by MACO.