HCS SCS SB 328 -- ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

SPONSOR:  Engler (Robb)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Energy and Environment by a vote of 8 to 4.

This substitute changes the laws regarding environmental
regulations.  In its main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Allows yard waste to be disposed of in a municipal waste
disposal area when the Department of Natural Resources approves
the operation of the disposal area as a bioreactor and when the
landfill gas is used for electricity generation;

(2)  Adds qualified bio-mass to Missouri agricultural products
used in the production of fuel ethanol by Missouri qualified fuel
ethanol producers.  Beginning January 1, 2008, through December
31, 2018, Missouri producers making use of qualified bio-mass
will be eligible to receive grants from the Department of
Agriculture.  The total amount of the grants cannot exceed $10
million per year;

(3)  Removes the instate or Missouri agricultural product origin
requirement of at least 51% Missouri ownership for a renewable
fuel production facility to be eligible for biodiesel incentive
producer grants.  The grants will no longer be based on gallons
of diesel produced from Missouri agricultural products;

(4)  Increase the penalty for the crime of disposition of
demolition waste from a class A misdemeanor to a class D felony.
Any person who knowingly disposes or causes demolition waste to
be disposed on any state property that is not a solid waste
processing facility or a disposal area operating under a permit
from the Department of Natural Resources will be guilty of this
crime.  If a person disposes of construction or demolition waste
on his or her own property, he or she will be guilty of a class C
misdemeanor.  A person who knows or should have known that his or
her agent or employee has committed criminal disposition of
demolition waste will be guilty of conspiracy to commit
disposition of demolition waste;

(5)  Abolishes the crime of criminal disposition of demolition
waste in the second degree;

(6)  Increases civil penalties for violations of solid waste
management provisions; and

(7)  Allows the use of plasma arc technology to process waste.
Any facility designated as a waste to energy facility that
generates electricity fueled from solid waste may use plasma arc
technology.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $0 in
FY 2008, $0 in FY 2009, and $2,625,000 in FY 2010.  Estimated
Income on Other State Funds of $0 in FY 2008, $20,678 in FY 2009,
and $20,678 in FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will allow yard waste
to be deposited in landfills for the purpose of energy
production.  Approval from the Department of Natural Resources
will be required to verify the operation of a bioreactor.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Engler; Representative Robb;
and Department of Natural Resources.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:22 am