act 1988-101 lawsofpennsylvania no. 1988- · pdf file556 act 1988-101 lawsofpennsylvania sb...

556 Act 1988-101 LAWS OFPENNSYLVANIA

SB 528

No. 1988-101

AN ACT

Providing for planningfor the processingand disposalof municipal waste;requiring countiesto submitplansfor municipalwastemanagementsystemswithin their boundaries;authorizinggrantsto countiesandmunicipalitiesforplanning,resourcerecoveryandrecycling;imposingandcollectingiees~estab-lishingcertainrights for hostmunicipalities;requiringmunicipalitiesto imple-ment recyclingprograms;requiringCommonwealthagenciesto~pmcur~Tecy-cled materials;imposingduties;grantingpowersto countiesandmunicipali-ties; authorizing the Environmental Quality Eoard to adopt regulations;authorizing the Departmentof EnvironmentalResourcesto implementthisact;providingremedies;prescribingpenalties;establishingafund~~and-jnakingrepeals.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter1. GeneralProvisions

Section101.Section102.Section 103.Section 104.

Shorttitle.Legislativefindings;declarationof policy andgoals.Definitions.Constructionof act.

Chapter3. Powers and Duties

Section301.Section302.Section303.Section304.

Powersand duties o department.Powersand duties of EnvironmentalQuality Board.Powersand duties of counties.Powersanddutiesof municipalitiesotherthancounties.

Chapter5. Municipal WastePlanning

Section 501.

Section502.Section503.Section 504.Section505.Section506.Section507.Section508.Section509.Section510.Section511.Section512.Section513.

Schedulefor submissionof municipal waste managementplans.

Contentof municipal waste managementplans.Developmentof municipal waste managementplans.Failure to ratify plan.Review of municipal waste managementplans.Contracts.Relationshipbetweenplans and permits.Studies.Best availabletechnology.Permit requirements.Site limitation.Completenessreview.Future availability.

Chapter7. Recycling Fee

Section701. Recycling fee for municipal waste landfills and resourcerecoveryfacilities.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 557

Section702.Section703.Section704. Records.Section705.Section706.

Chapter9. Grants

Section901.Section902.

Section903.Section904.Section905.

Chapter11.

Section1101.Section 1102.Section 1103.Section 1104.Section 1105.Section 1106.Section 1107.Section 1108.Section 1109.Section1110.Section 1111.Section 1112.

Planning grants.Grants for developmentand implementationof municipal

recyclingprograms.Grants for recycling coordinators.Performancegrantsformunicipalrecyclingprograms.General limitations.

Assistanceto Municipalities

Information provided to host municipalities.Joint inspectionswith host municipalities.Water supply testing for contiguouslandowners.Water supply protection.Purchaseof cogeneratedelectricity.PennsylvaniaPublic Utility Commission.Claims resulting from pollution occurrences.Site-specificpostclosurefund.Trust fund for municipally operatedlandfills.Independentevaluationof permit applications.Protection of capacity.Waste volumes.

Chapter13. Host Municipality Benefit Fee

Section 1301.Section 1302.Section 1303.Section 1304.Section1305.

Host municipality benefit fee.Formandtimingof hostmunicipalitybenefit feepayment.Collection and enforcementof fee.Records.Surcharge.

Chapter15. Recycling and WasteReduction

Section1501.Section1502.Section 1503.Section1504.Section1505.Section1506.Section1507.Section 1508.

Municipal implementationof recycling programs.Facilities operationand recycling.Commonwealthrecyclingand waste reduction.Procurementby Commonwealthagencies.Procurementby Departmentof General Services.Testingby Departmentof Transportation.Procurementproceduresfor local public agencies.Procurementoptions for local public agenciesand certain

Commonwealthagencies.

Form and timing of recycling fee payment.Collection and enforcementof fee.

Surcharge.Recycling Fund.

558 Act 1988-101 LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA

Section 1509.Section1510.Section1511.Section1512.

Recycling at educationalinstitutions.Lead acid batteries.Recycledpaper products.HouseholdHazardousWasteCollectionandDisposalGrant

Program.

Chapter17. Enforcementand Remedies

The General Assembly of the Commonwealthof Pennsylvaniaherebyenactsasfollows:

CHAPTER 1GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 101. Shorttitle.This actshall be knownandmaybe cited as the Municipal WastePlan-

ning,RecyclingandWasteReductionAct.Section 102. Legislativefindings;declarationof policy andgoals.

(a) Legislative findings.—TheLegislature herebydetermines,declaresandfinds that:

(1) Impropermunicipal wastepracticescreatepublic healthhazards,environmentalpollutionandeconomicloss,andcauseirreparableharmtothepublichealth,safetyandwelfare.

Section1701.Section1702.Section 1703.Section 1704.Section1705.Section1706.

Section1707.Section1708.Section1709.Section 1710.Section1711.Section 1712.Section1713.Section1714.Section 1715.

Unlawful conduct.Enforcementorders.Restrainingviolations.Civil penalties.Criminal penalties.Existingrights andremediespreserved;cumulativeremedies

authorized.Productionof materials;recordkeepingrequirements.Withholding of State funds.Collection of fines, fees, etc.Right of citizen to intervenein proceedings.Remediesof citizens.Affirmative defense.Public information.Whistleblowerprovisions.Additional penalties.

Chapter19. MiscellaneousProvisions

Section 1901.Section1902.Section1903.Section1904.

Reportto GeneralAssembly.Severability.Repeals.Effective date.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 559

(2) Partsof this Commonwealthhaveinadequateandrapidly dimin-ishingprocessinganddisposalcapacityfor municipalwaste.

(3) Virtually everycountyin this Commonwealthwill haveto replaceexistingmunicipal waste processinganddisposalfacilities over the nextdecade.

(4) Neededadditionalmunicipal wasteprocessinganddisposalfacili-ties have not beendevelopedin a timely mannerbecauseof diffusedresponsibility for municipal waste planning, processing and disposalamongnumerousandoverlappingunitsof local government.

(5) It is necessaryto give countiesthe primary responsibilityto planfor the processinganddisposalof municipal wastegeneratedwithin theirboundariesto insurethetimely developmentof neededprocessinganddis-posalfacilities.

(6) Properandadequateprocessinganddisposalof municipalwastegeneratedwithin a county requires the generatingcounty to give firstchoiceto newprocessinganddisposalsiteslocatedwithin thatcounty.

(7) It is appropriateto providethoseliving nearmunicipalwastepro-cessingand disposal facilities with additional guaranteesof the properoperationof suchfacilitiesandto provideincentivesfor municipalitiestohostsuchfacilities.

(8) Wastereductionandrecyclingarepreferableto the processingordisposalof municipalwaste.

(9) Prompt paymentand efficient collection of the recycling feecreatedby this act are essentialto the administrationof the recyclinggrantsprovidedby thisact.

(10) Authorizing countiesto control the flow of municipal waste isnecessary,amongotherreasons,to guaranteethelong-termeconomicvia-bility of resourcerecovery facilities and municipal waste landfills, toensurethat suchfacilities andlandfills can be financed,to moderatethecostof suchfacilities andIandfffls overthe long term, to protectexistingcapacity,andto assistin the developmentof marketsfor recyclablemate-rialsby guaranteeingasteadyflow of suchmaterials.

(11) Publicagenciesin the Commonwealthpurchasesignificantquan-titiesof productsor materialsannually.

(12) By purchasingproductsor materialsmadefrom recycledmateri-als, public agenciesin the Commonwealthcanhelp stimulatethe marketfor suchmaterialsand therebyfoster recycling,andcan alsoeducatethepublicconcerningtheutility andavailabilityofsuchmaterials.

(13) Removingcertainmaterialsfrom themunicipalwaste-streamwilldecreasethe flow of solid wasteto municipal waste landfills, aid in theconservationandrecoveryof valuableresources,conserveenergyin themanufacturingprocess,increasethe supply of reusablematerialsfor theCommonwealth’s industries, and will also reduce substantially therequiredcapacityof proposedresourcerecoveryfacilities andcontributeto their overall combustionefficiency, therebyresultingin significantCostsavingsin theplanning,constructionandoperationof thesefacilities.


(14) It is in the public interestto promotethe sourceseparationofmarketablematerialson aStatewidebasisso thatreusablematerialsmaybe returnedto the economicmainstreamin the form of raw materialsorproductsratherthanbedisposedof or processedat theCommonwealth’soverburdenedmunicipalwasteprocessingor disposalfacilities.

(15) The recycling of marketablematerialsby municipalities in theCommonwealthand Commonwealthagencies,andthe developmentofpublicandprivatesectorrecyclingactivitieson an orderlyandincrementalbasis,will further demonstratethe Commonwealth’slong-termcommit-menttoaneffectiveandcoherentsolidwastemanagementstrategy.

(16) Operatorsof municipal waste landfills and resourcerecoveryfacilitiesshouldgivefirst priority to the disposalor processingof munici-pal wastegeneratedwithin the hostcountybecause,amongotherreasons,the host countyis mostdirectly affectedby operationsat the facility andlocal processingor disposalof municipal wastesavesenergyandtranspor-tationcosts.

(17) The Commonwealthrecognizesthat both municipal wasteland-fills andresourcerecoveryfacilitieswill beneededaspart of an integratedstrategyto provide for the processingand disposalof the Common-wealth’smunicipalwaste.

(18) This act is enactedunder the authorityof AmendmentX of theConstitution of the United States of America, under which the policepowerto protectthehealth,safetyandwelfareof thecitizensis reservedtothestates.

(19) The Commonwealthis responsiblefor the protection of thehealth,safetyandwelfareof its citizensconcerningsolid wastemanage-ment.

(20) All aspectsof solid wastemanagement,particularlythe disposi-tion of solid waste,poseacritical threatto thehealth,safetyandwelfareof thecitizensof thisCommonwealth.

(21) Uncontrolled increasesin the daily yolumes of solid wastereceivedat municipal waste landfills have significantly decreasedtheirremaininglifetimes, disruptingthe municipal wasteplanningprocessandtheability of municipalitiesrelying onthelandfillsto continueusing:them.Theseincreaseshavethreatenedto significantlyandadverselyaffectpublichealthandsafetywhenmunicipalitiesfind theycanno longerusethe facil-ities. Uncontrolled increasesin daily waste volumes can also causeincreasednoise,odors,truck traffic and othersignificantadverseeffectson theenvironmentaswell ason publichealthandsafety.

(22) By purchasing,processingand marketing obsolete and othermaterialswhich wouldotherwisehavebeenmanagedasmunicipalor resi-dualwaste,theCommonwealth’sexisting for-profit scrapprocessingandrecyclingindustryhasbeenandremainsessentialto theefficient-and--effec-tivemanagementof solid waste.

(23) In carryingout their powersanddutiesunderthisact, countiesandothermunicipalitiesshould:

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 561

(i) Ensurethat the ability of the scrap processingand recyclingindustryto continuepurchasing,processingandmarketingrecoverablematerialsis not therebyimpaired.

cii) Utilize tothe fullest extentpracticableall availablefacilitiesandexpertisewithin the scrapprocessingandrecyclingindustry forprocess-ing andmarketingrecyclablematerialsfrommunicipalwaste.(24) Vehiclebatteriesareparticularlydifficult todisposeof andpoten-

tially harmfulif improperlydisposedof, andit is necessaryto controldis-posalandpromoterecyclingof suchbatteries.(b) Purpose.—Itis thepurposeof thisactto:

(1) EstablishandmaintainacooperativeStateandlocal programofplanningandtechnicalandfinancialassistancefor comprehensivemunici-pal wastemanagement.

(2) Encouragethe developmentof wastereductionandrecyclingas ameansof managingmunicipalwaste,conservingresourcesandsupplyingenergythroughplanning,grantsandotherincentives.

(3) Protectthe public health,safetyandwelfarefrom the short-andlong-term dangersof transportation,processing,treatment,storageanddisposalof municipalwaste.

(4) Provide aflexible andeffective meansto implementand enforcetheprovisionsof thisact.

(5) Utilize, whereverfeasible,thecapabilitiesof privateenterpriseinaccomplishingthe desiredobjectivesof aneffective, comprehensivesolidwastemanagementplan.

(6) Establisharecyclingfee for municipalwastelandfills andresourcerecovery facilities to provide grantsfor recycling, planning andrelatedpurposes.

(7) Establisha hostmunicipalitybenefit feefor municipalwasteland-fills and resourcerecovery facilities that are permittedon or after theeffectivedateof thisact andto providebenefitsto hostmunicipalitiesforthepresenceof suchfacilities.

(8) Establisha site-specificpostclosurefeefor currentlyoperatingandfuture permitted municipal waste landfills for remedialmeasuresandemergencyactionsthat arenecessaryto preventor abateadverseeffectsupontheenvironmentafterthe closureof suchlandfills.

(9) Establishtrust funds for municipally operatedlandfills to ensurethattherearesufficientfundsavailablefor completingthe final closureofsuchlandfills undertheSolid WasteManagementAct.

(10) Shift theprimary responsibilityfor developingandimplementingmunicipalwastemanagementplansfrommunicipalitiestocounties-.

(11) Require all public agenciesof the Commonwealthto aid andpromotethe developmentof recyclingthroughtheir procurementpoliciesfor thegeneralwelfareandeconomyof theCommonwealth.

(12) Requirecertainmunicipalitiesto implementrecyclingprogramsto returnvaluablematerialsto productiveuse,to conserveenergyandtoprotectcapacityatmunicipalwasteprocessingor disposalfacilities.


(13) ImplementArticle 1, section27 of the Constitutionof Pennsyl-vania.

(14) Strengthenthe department’sexistingauthorityto regulatedailywastevolumesthatmaybereceivedatamunicipalwastelandfill to protectagainstthe unexpectedor unplannedloss of facilitiesand to ensurethatthe facilities operatein a mannerthatprotectsthe environmentas wellaspublichealthandsafety. -

(c) Declarationof goals.—TheGeneralAssemblythereforedeclaresthefollowinggoals:

(1) At least 25% of all municipal waste and source-separatedrecy-clablematerialsgeneratedin thisCommonwealthon andafter January1,1997,shouldberecycled.

(2) The weightor volumeof municipalwastegeneratedper capita inthis Commonwealthon January1, 1997, should, to the greatestextentpracticable,be lessthanthe weight or volume of municipal wastegener-atedpercapitaon theeffectivedateofthisact.

(3) Eachpersonliving or working in this Commonwealthshall betaught the economic,environmentaland energyvalueof recycling andwastereductionand shall be encouragedthrougha variety of meanstoparticipateinsuchactivities.

(4) The Commonwealthshould, to the greatestextent practicable,procureanduseproductsandmaterialswith recycledcontentandprocureandusematerialsthatarerecyclable. -

Section 103. Definitions.The following words and phraseswhen usedin this actshall have the

meaningsgiven to them in thissectionunlessthe contextclearly indicatesotherwise: -

“Abatement.” Therestoration,reclamation,recovery,etc., of anaturalresourceadverselyaffectedby theactivityof aperson.

“Average daily volume.” The meandaily volume receivedat a facilitytaking into account weather, seasonalvariations, scheduledcommunitycleanupdaysandotherfactors.

“Commission.” The PennsylvaniaPublic Utility Commissionand itsauthorizedrepresentatives.

“Commonwealthagency.” The Commonwealthand its departments,boards,commissionsandagencies,Commonwealth-owneduniversities,andthe StatePublic SchoolBuilding Authority, the StateHighway andBridgeAuthority, andany otherauthoritynow in existenceor hereaftercreatedororganizedby theCommonwealth.

“Degradableplastic beveragecarrier.” Plastic beveragecarriers thatdegradeby biological processes,photodegradation,chemodegradationordegradationby othernaturalprocesses.The degradationprocessdoesnotproduceor result in a residueor by-productconsideredto be hazardouswaste.

“Department.” The Departmentof EnvironmentalResourcesof theCommonwealthanditsauthorizedrepresentatives.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 563

“Disposal.” The deposition, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking -orplacingof solid wasteinto or on the landor waterin amannerthatthesolidwasteor a constituentof the solid wasteentersthe environment,is emittedinto theair or is dischargedtothewatersof thisCommonwealth.

“Feasibility study.” A studywhich analyzesa specificmunicipal wasteprocessingor disposalsystemto assessthelikelihoodthatthe systemcan besuccessfullyimplemented,including, but not limited to, an analysisof theprospectivemarket, the projectedcosts and revenuesof the system, themunicipal waste-streamthatthe systemwill rely upon andvariousoptionsavailableto implementthesystem.

“Host municipality.” The municipality other than the county withinwhichamunicipalwastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility is locatedorisproposedto belocated.

“Leaf waste.” Leaves,gardenresidues,shrubberyandtreetrimmings,andsimilarmaterial,butnot includinggrassclippings.

“Localpublicagency.”(1) Counties,cities,boroughs,towns1townships,schooldistrictsand

anyotherauthoritynowin existenceor hereaftercreatedor organizedbytheCommonwealth.

(2) Ail municipal or schoolor otherauthoritiesnow in existenceorhereaftercreatedor organizedby any county,city, borough,townshiporschooldistrictor anycombinationthereof.

(3) Any andall otherpublic bodies,authorities,councilsof govern-ment, officers, agenciesor instrumentalitiesof the foregoing, whetherexercisingagovernmentalor proprietaryfunction.“Management.” Theentireprocess,or anypart thereof,of storage,col-

lection,transportation,processing,treatmentanddisposalof solid wastesbyanypersonengagingin suchprocess.

“Municipal recycling program.” A source separationand collectionprogramfor recyclingmunicipalwasteor source-separatedrecyclablemate-rials, or a programfor designateddrop-offpointsor collectioncentersforrecyclingmunicipal wasteor source-separatedrecyclablematerials,that isoperatedby or on behalfof a municipality. The term includesany sourceseparationandcollectionprogramfor compostingyard wastethatis oper-ated by or on behalf of a municipality. The term shall not include anyprogramfor recyclingconstruction/demolitionwasteor sludgefrom sewagetreatmentplantsor watersupplytreatmentplants.

“Municipal waste.” Any garbage,refuse,industriallunchroomor officewaste and other material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or containedgaseousmaterial,resultingfrom operationof residential,municipal, com-mercial or institutional establishmentsand from community activitiesandany sludgenot meetingthe definition of residualor hazardouswastein theSolid WasteManagementAct fromamunicipal,commercialor institutionalwatersupply treatmentplant, wastewatertreatmentplant or air pollutioncontrol facility. Thetermdoesnot includesource-separatedrecyclablemate-rials.


“Municipal wastelandfill.” Any facility that is designed,operatedormaintainedfor thedisposalof municipal waste,whetheror not suchfacilitypossessesapermit from thedepartmentundertheSolid WasteManagementAct. The term shall not includeany facility that is usedexclusively for dis-posal of construction/demolitionwaste or sludgefrom sewagetreatmentplantsor watersupplytreatmentplants.

“Municipality.” A county,city, borough,incorporatedtown,townshipor homerulemunicipality.

“Operator.” A personengagedin solid waste processingor disposal.Wheremorethanonepersonis soengagedin asingleoperation,all personsshall be deemedjointly andseverally responsiblefor compliancewith theprovisionsofthisact.

“Person.” Any individual, partnership,corporation,association,insti-tution, cooperativeenterprise,municipality, municipal authority, FederalGovernmentor agency,State institution or agency (including, but notlimited to, the Departmentof GeneralServicesandtheStatePublicSchoolBuildingAuthority), or anyotherlegalentity whatsoeverwhich is recognizedby law asthe subjectof rights andduties. In anyprovisionsof this actpre-scribinga fine, imprisonmentor penalty,or any combinationof theforego-ing, theterm“person” shallincludetheofficersanddirectorsof anycorpo-rationor otherlegalentityhavingofficersanddirectors.

“Plastic beveragecarrier.” Plastic rings or similar plastic connectorsusedas holding devicesin the packagingof beverages,including, but notlimited to, all carbonatedbeverages,liquors, wines, fruit juices, mineralwaters,sodaandbeer.

“Pollution.” Contaminationof any air, water, land or other naturalresourcesof thisCommonwealththatwill createor is likely to createapublicnuisanceor to rendertheair, water, landorothernaturalresourcesharmful,detrimentalor injurious to public health,safetyor welfare,or to domestic,municipal,commercial,industrial,agricultural,recreationalor otherlegiti-matebeneficialuses,or to livestock,wild animals,birds,fish or otherlife.

“Postconsumermaterial.” Any productgeneratedby abusinessor con-sumerwhichhasservedits intendedenduseandwhichhasbeenseparatedordivertedfromsolid wastefor thepurposesof collection,recyclinganddispo-sition. The term includesindustrialby-productsthatwould otherwisego todisposalor processingfacilities.Theterm doesnot includeinternally gener-atedscrapthat is commonly returnedto industrial or manufacturingpro-cesses.

“Processing.” Any technologyused for the purposeof reducing thevolumeorbulk of municipalwasteor anytechnologyusedto convertpartorall of suchwastematerialsfor offsite reuse.Processingfacilities include,butare not limited to, transfer facilities, compostingfacilities and resourcerecoveryfacilities. -

“Projectdevelopment.” Thoseactivitiesrequiredto beconductedpriorto constructingaprocessingor disposalfacility thathasbeenshownto befeasible,including, but not limited to, public inputandparticipation,siting,procurementandvendor contractnegotiations,andmarketandmunicipalwastesupplyassurancenegotiations.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 565

“Public agency.” Any Commonwealthagencyor localpublicagency.“Reasonableexpansion.” The growth of an existingpermittedmunici-

pal wastelandfill to landwhich is contiguousto the existingmunicipal-wastelandfill, whichcontiguouslandis ownedin feeby theownerof themunicipalwastelandfill or which land is subjectto an irrevocableoption exercisablewithin oneyearin favor of theownerof themunicipalwastelandfill on thedatethatwritten noticeof the developmentof aplanor aplanrevisionpur-suantto section503(b)andwhichcontiguouslandcontainsthesamegeologi-cal featureswhicharepresentattheexistingmunicipalwasteiandfihlandforwhicha permit applicationunder the Solid WasteManagementAct is filedwithin oneyearof suchnotice.

“Recycledcontent.” Goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprint-ing containingpostconsumermaterials.

“Recycling.” Thecollection, separation,recoveryandsaleor reuseofmetals,glass,paper, leaf waste,plastics and othermaterialswhich wouldotherwisebe disposedor processedas municipal waste or the mechanizedseparationandtreatmentof municipal waste(other thanthroughcombus-tion) andcreationandrecoveryof reuseablematerialsother thana fuel fortheoperationof energy.

“Recyclingfacility.” A facility employingatechnologythatis aprocessthatseparatesor classifiesmunicipalwasteandcreatesor recoversreuseablematerialsthatcanbesold to or reusedby a manufacturerasa substituteforor a supplementto virgin raw materials.The term “recycling facility” shallnot meantransferstationsor landfills for solid wastenor compostingfacili-tiesor resourcerecoveryfacilities.

“Remaining available permitted capacity.” The remaining permittedcapacitythatis actuallyavailablefor processingor disposalto thecountyorothermunicipalitythatgeneratedthewaste.

“Remainingpermittedcapacity.” The weight or volume of municipalwastethat can be processedor disposedof at an existingmunicipal wasteprocessingor disposalfacility. The term shallincludeonly weightor volumecapacityfor whichthedepartmenthasissuedapermitundertheSolid WasteManagementAct. Thetermshallnot includeanyfacility thatthedepartmentdetermines,or hasdetermined,has failed and continuesto fail to complywith theprovisionsof the Solid WasteManagementAct, theregulationspro-mulgatedpursuantthereto,anyorderissuedpursuanttheretoor anypermitconditions.

“Residual waste.” Any garbage,refuse, other discardedmaterial orotherwaste,including solid, liquid, semisolidor containedgaseousmaterialsresultingfrom industrial,mining andagriculturaloperationsandanysludgefrom an industrial, mining or agriculturalwatersupply treatmentfacility,wastewater treatmentfacility or air pollutioncontrol facility, providedthatit is not hazardous.The termshall not includecoal refuseas definedin theactof September24, 1968 (P.L.1040,No.318), known as the Coal RefuseDisposalControl Act. The term shall not include treatmentsludgesfromcoal mine drainagetreatmentplants, disposalof which is beingcarriedonpursuantto andin compliancewith avalid permit issuedpursuantto theactof June22, 1937(P.L.1987,No.394),knownasTheCleanStreamsLaw.


“Resourcerecoveryfacility.” A processingfacility thatprovidesfor theextractionandutilization of materialsor energyfrom municipalwastethatisgeneratedoffsite, including, but not limited to, a facility that mechanicallyextractsmaterialsfrom municipalwaste,acombustionfacility thatconvertsthe organicfraction of municipal wasteto usableenergy,andany chemicalandbiologicalprocessthatconvertsmunicipalwasteinto afuel product.Thetermalsoincludesanyfacility for the combustionof municipalwastethatisgeneratedoffsite, whetheror not the facility is operatedto recoverenergy.Thetermdoesnot include:

(1) Anycompostingfacility.(2) Methanegasextractionfromamunicipalwastelandfill.(3) Any separationandcollectioncenter,drop-offpoint or collection

centerfor recycling,or any sourceseparationor collectioncenterforcorn-postingleafwaste. -

(4) Any facility, including all unitsin thefacility, with atotalprocess-ing capacityof lessthan50tonsperday.“Secretary.” The Secretaryof EnvironmentalResourcesof the Com-

monwealth.“Solid waste.” Solid waste, as defined in the act of July 7, 1980

(P.L.380,No.97),knownastheSolid WasteManagementAct.“Solid Waste Abatement Fund.” The fund created pursuant to

section701of theSolid WasteManagementAct.“Solid Waste ManagementAct.” The act of July 7, 1980 (P.L.380,

No.97).“Source-separatedrecyclablematerials.” Materials that are separated

frommunicipalwasteatthepointof origin for thepurposeof recycling.“Storage.” The containmentof any municipal waste on a temporary

basisin suchamannerasnot to constitutedisposalof suchwaste.It shallbepresumedthatthecontainmentof anymunicipalwastein excessof oneyearconstitutesdisposal.This presumptioncan be overcomeby clear andcon-vincingevidenceto thecontrary.

“Transportation.” The offsite removalof any municipal wasteat anytimeaftergeneration.

“Treatment.” Any method,techniqueor process,including, but notlimited to, neutralization,designedto changethe physical,chemicalor bio-logicalcharacteror compositionof any municipal wasteso asto neutralizesuchwaste or so as to rendersuch wastesafer for transport,suitableforrecovery,suitableforstorageor reducedin volume.

“Wastereduction.” Design,manufactureor useof a productto mini-mize weightof municipal wastethatrequiresprocessingor disposal,includ-ing,but notlimited to:

(1) designor manufacturingactivitieswhich minimize the weight orvolumeof materialscontainedin aproduct,or increasedurabilityor recy-clability; and -

(2) use of productsthat contain as little material as possible,arecapableof beingreusedor recycledorhavean extendeduseful-iife-

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 567

Section104. Constructionof act.(a) Liberalconstruction.—Thetermsandprovisionsof this actareto be

liberally construed,so asto bestachieveandeffectuatethe goalsandpur-poseshereof.

(1,) Pan materia.—Thisactshall be construedin pan materiawith theSolidWasteManagementAct.

CHAPTER 3POWERSAND DUTIES

Section301. Powersanddutiesof department.Thedepartment,in consultationwith theDepartmentof Healthregarding

mattersof publichealthsignificance,shallhavethe powerandits dutyshallbeto:

(I) Administer the municipal waste planning, recycling and wastereductionprogrampursuantto the provisionsof this actandthe regula-tionspromulgatedpursuantthereto.

(2) Cooperatewith appropriateFederal,State, interstateand localunits of governmentandwith appropriateprivateorganizationsin carry-ing out itsdutiesunderthisact.

(3) Providetechnicalassistanceto municipalitiesandCommonwealthagencies,including,butnot limited to, thetrainingof personnel.

(4) Initiate, conductand support research,demonstrationprojectsandinvestigations,andcoordinateall Stateagencyresearchprograms-per-tainingtomunicipalwastemanagementsystems.

(5) Regulatemunicipal wasteplanning,including, but not limited to,the developmentandimplementationof countymunicipal wastemanage-mentplans.

(6) Approve, conditionally approveor disapprovemunicipal wastemanagementplans,issueorders,conductinspectionsandabatepublicnui-sancesto implementtheprovisionsandpurposesof thisactandtheregula-tionspromulgatedpursuanttothisact.

(7) Serve as the agency of the Commonwealthfor the receipt ofmoneysfrom theFederalGovernmentor otherpublic agenciesor privateagenciesandexpendsuchmoneysfor studiesandresearchwith respectto,and for the enforcementandadministrationof, the provisionsandpur-posesof thisactandtheregulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto.

(8) Institute,in acourtof competentjurisdiction,proceedingsagainstanypersonto compelcompliancewith theprovisionsof thisact,anyregu-lation promulgatedpursuantthereto,anyorderof the department,or thetermsandconditionsof anyapprovedmunicipalwastemanagement:plan.

(9) Instituteprosecutionsagainstanypersonunderthisact.(10) Appoint suchadvisorycommitteesasthe secretarydeemsneces-

saryandproperto assistthedepartmentin carryingout the provisionsofthis act. The secretaryis authorizedto pay reasonableand necessaryexpensesincurredby themembersof suchadvisorycommitteesin carryingouttheir functions.


(11) Encourageand, wherethe departmentdeterminesit is appropri-ate, require countiesand other municipalitiesto carry out their dutiesunderthis act,usingthefull rangeof incentivesandenforcementauthorityprovidedin thisact.

(12) Takeanyactionnot inconsistentwith thisactthatthedepartmentmaydeemnecessaryor properto collect therecyclingfee provided--by-thisact, to ensurethe paymentof the host municipality benefit fee and toensurethepaymentof the site-specificpostclosurefee andmoneysfor thetrust fundfor municipallyoperatedlandfills providedby thisact.

(13) Administerand distributemoneysin the RecyclingFundfor anypublic educationalprogramson recyclingand wastereduction that thedepartmentbelievesto beappropriate,for technicalassistanceto countiesin the preparationof municipal wastemanagementplans,for technicalassistanceto municipalities concerningrecyclingand wastereduction,toconductresearch,andfor otherpurposesconsistentwith thisact.

(14) To promoteandemphasizerecyclingand wastereductionin theCommonwealthby, amongotherthings:

(i) Conductinga comprehensive,innovative and effective publiceducationprogramconcerningthe valueof recyclingand wastereduc-tion, and of public opportunitiesto participatein such activities, incooperationwith theDepartmentof Education.

(ii) Developingandmaintainingadatabaseon recyclingandwastereductionin the Commonwealth,andmaking the informationin thatdatabaseavailableto thepublic. -

(iii) Coordinating recycling and waste reduction efforts -amongCommonwealthagencies.

(iv) Providing financial andotherassistanceto municipalitiesthatarerequiredby section 1501 to implementrecyclingprograms.

(v) Providing information about potential recycling marketstomunicipalitiesandotherinterestedpersons. -

(15) Do any andall otheractsandthings, not inconsistentwith anyprovisionof thisact, whichit maydeemnecessaryor properfor the effec-tive enforcementof this actand the regulatipnspromulgatedpursuanttheretoafterconsultingwith the Departmento~Health regardingmattersof publichealthsignificance. -

Section302. Powersanddutiesof EnvironmentalQuality Board.TheEnvironmentalQuality Boardshall havethe powerandits duty shall

be to adoptthe regulationsof the departmentto accomplishthe purposesandto carryout theprovisionsof thisact.Section303. Powersanddutiesof counties.

(a) Primaryresponsibilityof county.—Eachcountyshallhavethe powerandits duty shallbeto insuretheavailabilityof adequatepermittedprocess-ing anddisposalcapacityfor the municipalwastewhich is generatedwithinitsboundaries.As partof thispower,acounty:

(I) May requireall personsto obtain licensesto collectandtransportmunicipal wastesubjectto theplanto amunicipalwasteprocessingor dis-posalfacility designatedpursuanttosubsection(e).

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 569

(2) Shall have the power and duty to implement its approvedplan,includingaplanapprovedundersection501(b), asit relatesto theprocess-ing anddisposalof municipalwastegeneratedwithin itsboundaries.

(3) May planfor theprocessinganddisposalof municipalwastegen-eratedoutsideits boundariesandto implement its approvedplan as itrelatestotheprocessinganddisposalof suchwaste.

(4) May adoptordinances,resolutions,regulationsandstandardsforthe recyclingof municipalwasteor source-separatedrecyclablematerialifoneof thefollowing requirementsaremet:

(i) Such ordinances,resolutions,regulationsor standardsare setforth in theapprovedplananddonot interferewith theimplementationof anymunicipalrecyclingprogramundersection 1501.

(ii) Suchordinances,resolutions,regulationsor standardsarenec-essaryto implement amunicipal recyclingprogramundersection1501which the municipality has delegated to the county pursuant tosection304.(5) May prohibit the siting of additional resourcerecoveryfacilities

within its geographicboundarieswhereanyadditional resourcerecoveryfacility is inconsistentwith the county plan pursuantto section501(b)unlesssuchfacilitiesmeetthecriteriaof section502(c)(2)and(o)(1)(iii).(b) Joint planning.—Any two or morecountiesmay adoptandimple-

mentasinglemunicipalwastemanagementplanfor the municipalwastegen-eratedwithin thecombinedareaof thecounties.

(c) Ordinancesandresolutions.—Incarryingout its duties under thissection,a countymay adoptordinances,resolutions,regulationsandstan-dardsfor theprocessinganddisposalof municipalwaste,whichshallnot belessstringentthan, andnot in violation of or inconsistentwith, the provi-sionsandpurposesof theSolidWasteManagementAct, this actandthereg-ulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto.

(d) Delegationof county responsibillty.—A county may enter into awritten agreementwith anotherpersonpursuantto which the personunder-takesto fulfill someor all of the county’sresponsibilitiesunder thisactformunicipal wasteplanningandimplementationof the approvedcountyplan.Any suchpersonshallbejointly andseverallyresponsiblewith thecountyformunicipal wasteplanningandimplementationof theapprovedcountyplanin accordancewith this act and the regulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto.

(e) Designatedsites.—Acountywith anapprovedmunicipalwasteman-agementplanthatwas submittedpursuantto section501(a),(b)or(c)-1salsoauthorizedto requirethatall municipalwastesgeneratedwithin its bound-aries shall be processedor disposedat a designatedprocessingor disposalfacility that is containedin the approvedplanandpermittedby the depart-mentundertheSolid WasteManagementAct. No countyshalldirectmunici-pal waste or source-separatedrecyclablematerialsthat would otherwiseberecycledto any resourcerecoveryfacility or other facility for purposesotherthanrecyclingsuchwaste.This subsectionshallnot applyto municipalwastegoing to existingor future onsitecaptivecommercialdisposalfacilitiesused


for the exclusivedisposalof municipal wastegeneratedby that commercialoperation. -

(1) Report.—Onor beforeApril 1 of eachyear,eachcountyshallsubmitareportto thedepartmentdescribing:

(1) Its progressin implementing its department-approvedmunicipalwastemanagementplanor in developingsuchaplan.

(2) Theweight or volumeof materialsthatwererecycledby municipalrecyclingprogramsin the countyin the precedingcalendaryear, andtheweight or volumeof materialsthat wererecycledby the countyin the pre-cedingcalendaryear.

Section304. Powersanddutiesof municipalitiesotherthancounties.(a) Responsibility of other municipalities.—Eachmunicipality other

thanacountyshall havethepowerandits duty shallbeto assuretheproperand adequatetransportation,collection and storageof municipal wastewhich is generatedor presentwithin its boundaries,to assureadequatecapacityfor the disposalof municipalwastegeneratedwithin its boundariesby meansof theprocedureset forth in section1111,andto adoptandimple-mentprogramsfor thecollectionandrecyclingof municipalwasteor source-separatedrecyclablematerialsasprovidedin thisact.

(b) Ordinances.—(1) In carrying out its dutiesunder this section,amunicipality other

thana countymayadoptresolutions,ordinances,regulationsandstan-dardsfor the recycling,transportation,storageandcollectionof munici-pal wastesor source-separatedrecyclablematerials,whichshallnot belessstringentthan,andnot inviolation of or inconsistentwith, theprovisionsandpurposesof theSolidWasteManagementAct, thisactandtheregula-tionspromulgatedpursuantthereto.

(2) Thehostmunicipalityshallhavetheauthorityto adoptreasonableordinancesconcerningthe hours and days during which vehicles maydeliverwasteto thefacility andtheroutingof traffic on public roadsto thefacility. Suchordinancesmaybein additionto, but notlessstringentthan,not inconsistentwith andnot in violation of, any provisionof the SolidWasteManagementAct, anyregulationpromulgatedpursuanttothatact,anyorderissuedunderthatact, or any permitissuedpursuantto thatact.Suchordinancesfoundto beinconsistentandnot in substantialconform-ity with thisparagraphshallbesuperseded.Appealsunderthisparagraphmaybebroughtbeforeacourtof competentjurisdiction.(c) Contractingof responsibiity.—Amunicipality other thana county

maycontractwith any personto carryout its dutiesfor therecycling,trans-portation,collection and storageof municipal wasteandsource-separatedrecyclablematerials,if the recycling,transportation,collection or storageactivity or facility is conductedor operatedin amannerthat is consistentwith the Solid WasteManagementAct, thisactandtheregulationspromul-gated pursuantthereto. Any such person shall be jointly and severallyresponsiblewith themunicipality other thanacountywhencarryingout itsdutiesfor transportation,collectionor storageactivity or facility.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 571

(d) Designatedsites.—Amunicipality otherthana countymay requireby ordinancethatall municipal wastegeneratedwithin its jurisdiction shallbe disposedof or processedat a designatedpermitted facility. Such ordi-nanceshall include an ordinancethat is part of a plan approvedunder-

section501(b). Such ordinanceshall remain in effect until the county inwhichthe municipalityis locatedadoptsa waste-flowcontrol ordinanceaspart of aplansubmittedto the departmentpursuantto section 501(a)or (c)andapprovedby the department.Exceptasprovidedin section502(o), anysuchcountyordinanceshall supersedeany suchmunicipalordinanceto theextent that the municipal ordinanceis inconsistentwith the county ordi-nance.

(e) Termandrenewalsof certaincontracts.—Thegoverningbody of amunicipalityotherthanacountyshallhavethepowerto,andmay,enterintocontractshavinganinitial termof five yearswith optionalrenewal-periods-ofup to five yearswithpersonsresponsiblefor thecollectionor transportationof municipal waste generatedwithin the municipality. The limitationsimposedon contractsby section1502 (XXVII) of the act of June24, 1931(P.L.1206, No.331), known as The First Class Township Code, andsection702(VIII) of theactof May 1, 1933(P.L.l03,No.69),knownasTheSecondClassTownshipcode,shallnot applyto contractsenteredinto pur-suantto this act. Nothing in this act shallimpair municipalities,other thancounties,fromenteringintodisposalcontractsundersection 502(o).

(f) Report.—Onor beforeFebruary15 of eachyear,eachmunicipalityotherthanacountythatis implementingarecyclingprogramshall submitareport to the county in which the municipality is located.The report shalldescribetheweight or volumeof materialsthatwererecycledby the munici-palrecyclingprogramin theprecedingcalendaryear.

- CHAPTER 5MUNICIPAL WASTE PLANNING

Section501. Schedulefor submissionof municipal waste managementplans.

(a) Submissionof plan.—Exceptasprovidedin subsections(b) and(c),eachcountyshallsubmitto thedepartment,within twoandone-halfyearsoftheeffectivedateof this act, anofficially adoptedmunicipal wastemanage-ment planfor municipal wastegeneratedwithin its boundaries.Such planshallbeconsistentwith therequirementsof thisact. For thepurposesof thischapter,the term “county” includescities of the first class,but doesnotincludecountiesof thefirst class.

(b) Existing plans.—Acountythat hassubmitteda completemunicipalwastemanagementplanto thedepartmentfor approvalon or before30 daysfrom the effective dateof this act shall bedeemedto havea plan approvedpursuantto section505 if:

(1) The departmenthasgrantedtechnicalor preliminary approvalofsuchplanunder25 Pa.Code§* 75.11 through75.13within 90 daysafterthesubmissionof theplan.


(2) Morethanone-halfof themunicipalitieswithin thecounty,repre-sentingmorethanone-halfof the county’spopulationasdeterminedbythe most recent decennialcensusby the United StatesBureau of theCensus,haveadoptedresolutionsapprovingsuch plan within 180 daysaftersubmissionof theplan.(c) Plan revisions.—Eachcounty with an approvedmunicipal waste

managementplanshall submita revisedplan to the departmentin accor-dancewith therequirementsof thisact:

(1) At leastthreeyearsprior to thetimeall remainingavailablepermit-tedcapacityfor thecountywill beexhausted. -~

(2) For plansapprovedpursuantto subsection(b), within two yearsofthe effective dateof this act. Suchplanrevisionsshall be consistentwiththerequirementsof this chapterexceptto theextentthatthecountydem-onstratesto the department’ssatisfactionthatirrevocablecontractsmadebyor pursuantto the approvedplanprecludecompliancewith therequire-mentsof thischapter.

(3) Whenotherwiserequiredby thedepartment.(d) Procedurefor consideringplanrevisions.—Atleast 30 daysbefore

submittingany proposedplanrevision to the department,the countyshallsubmitacopyof theproposedrevisionto theadvisorycommittee’establishedpursuantto section503andto eachmunicipalitywithin the county.All planrevisionsthat aredeterminedby thecountyor by the departmentto be sub-stantial shall be subjectto the requirementsof sections503 and504. Theplanrevisionsrequiredby subsection(c)(2) shall be consideredsubstantialplanrevisions.Section502. Contentof municipalwastemanagementplans.

(a) Generalrule.—Exceptas providedin section501(b), everyplansub-mitted after theeffective dateof this actshallcomply with the provisionsofthissection.

(b) Description of waste.—Theplan shall describe and explain theorigin, contentandweightor volume of municipalwastecurrentlygeneratedwithin the county’s boundaries,and the origin, content and weight orvolumeof municipalwastethatwill begeneratedwithin thecounty’sbound-ariesduringthenexttenyears.

(c) Descriptionof facilities.—Theplan shall identify and describethefacilitieswheremunicipal wasteis currentlybeingdisposedor-processedandtheremainingavailablepermittedcapacityof suchfacilities andthe capacitywhich could be madeavailablethrough the reasonableexpansionof suchfacilities. The plan shall contain an analysisof the effect of current andplannedrecyclingon wastegeneratedwithin the county.The planshall alsoexplaintheextentto whichexistingfacilitieswill beusedduringthelife of theplanandshall not substantiallyimpair the useof their remainingpermittedcapacityor of capacitywhich could be madeavailablethroughthe reason-able expansionof suchfacilities. For purposesof this subsection,existingfacilitiesshallinclude:

(1) Facilitiesholdingpermits for whichacompletepermit applicationunderthe SolidWasteManagementAct is filed with thedepartmentwithin

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 573

oneyearfrom theeffective dateof this actor within oneyearof the datewritten noticeof thedevelopmentof a planis givento municipalitiespur-suantto section503(b)or within six monthsof thedatewrittennoticeforasubstantial plan revision is given to municipalities pursuant tosection503(b), whichever is the later, unlesssuch permit applicationisdeniedby thedepartment.

(2) Resourcerecoveryfacilities for whichtheowneror operatorofthefacility hasdepositedfundsinto escrowfor financingof thefacility or hassecuredpermanentbondfinancing for thefacility or hassignedanelectricpowercontractwith apublicutility andsuchcontracthasbeenapprovedby thecommission.

(3) Any facility which is a resourcerecovery facility or municipalwastelandfill which, on or before the effective dateof this act, to thedepartment’ssatisfaction,meetsall of thefollowing criteria:

(i) Theapplicanthasacquiredownershipofthesite.(ii) Theapplicanthasagreementsfor disposalof municipalwaste.(iii) Theapplicantmeetsoneof thefollowing:

(A) The applicanthasa permit from the departmenton theeffectivedateof thisact.

(B) Theapplicanthasreceivedapermitwithin oneyearfrom thedatewritten notice of the planor the plan revisionsis given to themunicipalitiespursuantto section503(b).

(C) A permit applicationis submittedto thedepartmentwithinoneyearof theeffectivedateof thisact.

In addition, the planshall giveconsiderationto the potentialexpansionofexisting municipal waste processing or disposal facilities located in thecounty.For thepurposesof this subsection,thedepartmentshall determinewhetherapplicationsarecompletewithin 90 daysof their receiptand, ifincomplete,specify to the applicantall deficienciesof the application.Anysubsequentplan revisions shall identify and describethe facilities wheremunicipal wasteis currentlybeingdisposedor processedandthe remainingavailablepermittedcapacityof suchfacilities, andtheplan shallconsiderthecapacitywhichcouldbemadeavailablethroughthereasonableexpansionofsuchfacilities.

(d) Estimatedfuturecapacity.—Theplanshallestimatetheprocessingordisposalcapacityneededfor themunicipalwastethatwill begeneratedin thecountyduring the nexttenyears.The assessmentshall describetheprimaryvariablesaffectingthisestimateandtheextentto which theycan reasonablybe expectedto affect theestimate,including,but not limited to, the amountof residualwastedisposedor processedat municipal wastedisposalor pro-cessingfacilities in the countyandtheextentto which residualwastemaybedisposedor processedat such facilities duringthenext ten years.If theplanindicatesthat additional processingor disposalcapacityis neededby thecounty,thecountyshallgivepublicnoticeof suchadetermination-and-solicitproposalsandrecommendationsregardingfacilitiesandprogramsto providesuchcapacity.Thecountyshall provideacopy of suchnoticeto the depart-ment,which shallcauseacopyof suchnoticeto bepublishedin thePennsyl-vaniaBulletin.


(e) Descriptionof recyclablematerials.—(1) Theplanshalldescribeandevaluate:

(i) The kind andweight or volume of materialsthatcould berecy-cled, giving consideration,at a minimum, to- the following materials:clear glass,coloredglass,aluminum, steel andbimetallic cans,highgrade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper, plastics and leafwaste.

(ii) Potential benefitsof recycling, including the potential solidwastereductionandthe avoidedcostof municipalwasteprocessingordisposal.

(iii) Existingmaterialsrecoveryoperationsandthe kind andweightor volume of materialsrecycledby the operations,whetherpublic orprivate.

(iv) Thecompatibility of recyclingwith othermunicipal wastepro-cessingor disposalmethods,giving considerationto and describinganticipated and available markets for materials collected throughmunicipalrecyclingprograms.

(v) Proposedor existingcollectionmethodsfor recyclablemateri-als.

(vi) Optionsfor ensuringthecollectionof recyclablematerials.(vii) Options for the processing,storageand sale of recyclable

materials,including marketcommitments.The plan shall considertheresultsof the marketdevelopmentstudyrequiredby section508, if theresultsareavailable.

(viii) Optionsfor municipal cooperationor agreementfor the col-lection,processingandsaleof recyclablematerials.

(ix) A schedulefor implementationof therecyclingprogram.(x) Estimated costs of operatingand maintaining a recycling

program, estimatedrevenuefrom the sale or use of materials andavoidedcostsof processingor disposal.This estimateshall bebasedonacomparisonof publicandprivateoperationof someor all partsof therecyclingprogram.

(xi) What considerationfor the collection, marketinganddisposi-tion of recyclablematerialswill beaccordedto personsengagedin thebusinessof recyclingontheeffectivedateof thisact, whetheror not thepersonsareoperatingfor profit. -

(xii) A public informationandeducationprogramthatwill providecomprehensiveandsustainedpublic notice of recyclingprogramfea-turesandrequirements.(2) Any county containing municipalities that are required by

section 1501to implementrecyclingprogramsshalltake theprovisionsofthatsectionintoaccountinpreparingtherecyclingportionof itsplan.

(3) Nothing in this chaptershall be construedor understoodto pro-hibit preparationof acountymunicipal wastemanagementplan prior todevelopingandimplementingany recyclingprogramrequiredby Chapter15.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 575

(f) Financial factors.—Theplan shall describe the type, mix, size,expectedcost and proposedmethodsof financing the facilities, recyclingprogramsor wastereductionprogramsthatareproposedfor-theprocessinganddisposalof themunicipalwasteor source-separatedrecyclablematerialsthat will begeneratedwithin the county’sboundariesduring the next tenyears.For every proposedfacility, recycling program or waste reductionprogram,theplanshalldiscussall of thefollowing:

(1) Explain in detailthereasonfor selectingsuchfacility orprogram.(2) Describe alternative facilities or programs,including, but not

limited to, wastereduction, recycling, or resourcerecoveryfacilities orprograms,that were consideredand providereasonableassurancesthatthecountyutilized afair, openandcompetitiveprocessfor selectingsuchfacilitiesorprogramsfromamongalternativeswhichweresuggested-to-thecounty.

(3) Evaluatethe environmental,energy,life cycle cost, the costsoftransportationto eachfacility consideredandeconomicadvantagesanddisadvantagesof the proposedfacility or programas well asthe alterna-tivesconsidered.

(4) Show that adequateprovisionfor existingand reasonablyantici-patedfuturerecyclinghasbeenmadein designingthesizeof anyproposedfacility.

(5) Setforth atimescheduleandprogramfor planning,design,siting,constructionandoperationof eachproposedfacility or program.(g) Location.—Theplan shall identify the general location within a

countywhereeachmunicipal wasteprocessingor disposalfacility andeachrecyclingprogramidentifiedinsubsection(1) will belocated,andeitheriden-tify thesiteof eachfacility if the sitehasalreadybeenchosenor explainhowthesitewill bechosen.For anyfacility thatis proposedto belocatedoutsidethe county,the planshall explain in detail the reasonsfor selectingsuchafacility.

(h) Implementingentity identification.—Theplan shallidentify thegov-ernmentalentity thatwill beresponsiblefor implementingthepiaitonbehalfof thecountyanddescribethelegalbasisfor thatentity’s authoritytodoso.

(i) Public function.—Wherethecountydeterminesthatit is in thepublicinterestfor municipal wasteprocessingor disposalto be apublic function,theplanshallprovidefor appropriatemechanisms,subjectto thelimitationsset forth in section902(a)on the useof grantmoneysby municipalitiesforpurchasingequipmentforprocessingsolidwaste.

(j) Copiesof ordinancesand resolutions.—Theplan shall includeanyproposedordinances,negotiatedcontractsor requirementsthatwill beusedto insurethe operationof anyfacilities proposedin the plan.For eachordi-nance,contract or requirement,the plan shall identify the areasof thecounty to be affected, the expectedeffective date and the implementingmechanism.

(k) Orderlyextension.—Theplan shallprovidefor the orderlyextensionof municipalwastemanagementsystemsin a mannerthat is consistentwiththeneedsof the areaandis alsoconsistentwith any existingState,regional


or local plansaffecting the development,useand protectionof air, water,land or othernaturalresources.The planshall alsotake into considerationplanning,zoning,populationestimates,engineeringandeconomics.

(1) Methodsof disposalotherthanby contract.—Ifthe countyproposes-to require,by meansother thancontracts,thatmunicipal wastesgeneratedwithin its boundariesbeprocessedor disposedat a designatedfacility undersection303(e), the planshall so state.The plan shall explain the basisforsuchaproposal,giving considerationto alternativemeansof ensuringthatwastegeneratedwithin the county’sboundariesis processedor disposedinanenvironmentallyacceptablemanner.A copyof theproposed-ordinanceorother legal instrumentthat would effectuatethis proposalshall also beincluded.

(m) County ownership.—Ifthe county proposesto own or operateamunicipal wasteprocessingor disposalfacility, the plan shall so state.Theplan shall alsoexplain thebasisfor sucha proposal,giving considerationtothe comparativecostsandbenefitsof privateownershipandoperationofmunicipalwasteprocessingor disposalfacilities.

(n)- Other information.—Theplan shall include any other informationthatthedepartmentmayrequire.

(o) Noninterferencewith certainresourcerecovery facilities and land-fills.—

(1) No countymunicipal wastemanagementplan shall interferewiththe design,construction,operation,financingor contractualobligationsof any municipalprocessingor disposalfacility, includingany reasonableexpansionof an existingfacility whichmeetsany of thefollowing require-ments:

(i) A resourcerecovery facility or municipal wastelandfill that ispart of a completemunicipal wastemanagementplansubmittedby amunicipality or organizationof municipalitiesunderthe Solid WasteManagementAct prior to theeffectivedateof this act, andfor whichacompletepermit applicationunderthe Solid WasteManagementAct issubmittedto thedepartmentwithin oneyearof theeffective-dateof thisact. -

(ii) The projects,plansor operationsof a municipality authoritycreatedunderthe act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382,No.164),known astheMunicipality AuthoritiesAct of 1945,or of an organizationof munici-palitieswhich(municipalityauthorityor organizationof municipalities)is createdby two or moremunicipalitiesprior to the effective dateofthis actfor the purposesof providing for collection, storage,transpor-tation,processingor disposalof solid wastegeneratedwithin themunic-ipalities andwhich (municipalityauthority or organizationof munici-palities)submitsto thedepartmentwithin oneyearof theeffective dateof this act, andis approvedby the department,a solid wastemanage-ment plan, consistentwith the other provisions of this section, thatincludeseachmembermunicipality. This subparagraphappliesto theprojects,plansand operationsof municipalitieswhich aremembersofthemunicipalityauthorityor organizationof municipalities.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 577

(iii) The owneror operatorof thefacility has depositedfunds intoescrow for financing of the facility or has securedpermanentbondfinancingfor the facility or hassignedanelectricpowercontractwith apublicutility andsuchacontracthasbeenapprovedby thecommission.

(iv) The implementationof acountymunicipalwasteplanpursuantto section501(b)whichhasdesignatedanexistingpermittedsolidwastemanagementfacility, on or before theeffective dateof this act,ownedby a local public agencyother thanthe countyin whichthe facility islocated.

(v) The facility is aresourcerecovery facility or municipal wastelandfill which, on or beforethe effectivedateof this act, to thedepart-ment’ssatisfaction,meetsall of thefollowing criteria:

(A) Theapplicanthasacquiredownershipof thesite.(B) The applicant has agreementsfor disposal of municipal

waste.(C) Theapplicantmeetsoneof thefollowing:

(I) The applicanthasa permit from the departmenton theeffectivedateof this act.

(II) Theapplicanthasreceivedapermitwithin oneyearfromthe datewritten noticeof theplanor theplanrevisionsis giventothemunicipalitiespursuantto section503(b).

(III) A permit applicationis submittedto the departmentwithin oneyearoftheeffectivedateof thisact.

(2) Within 120 daysafter receivinga completeplan, the departmentshallgive it preliminaryor technicalapprovalunder25 Pa.Code§~75.11through75.13or disapproveit.(p) Public participation.—Theplanshall includeprovisionsfor public

participationin the implementationof the plan, including, but not limitedto, anadvisorycommitteeto provideoversightandadviceon the-implemen-tationof theplan.Section503. Developmentof municipalwastemanagementplans.

(a) Advisory committee.—Priorto preparinga plan or substantialplanrevisionsfor submissionto thedepartmentinaccordancewith theprovisionsof this act,the countyshallform anadvisorycommittee,whichshallincluderepresentativesof all classesof municipalitieswithin thecounty,citizenorga-nizations, industry, the private solid waste industry operatingwithin thecounty,theprivate recyclingor scrapmaterialprocessingindustryoperatingwithin the county,the countyrecyclingcoordinator,if oneexists,andanyotherpersonsdeemedappropriateby the county. The advisorycommitteeshall review the plan during its preparation,makesuggestionsand proposeanychangesit believesappropriate.

(b) Written notice.—Thecounty shall provide written notice to allmunicipalities within the county when plan developmentbeginsand shallprovideperiodic written progressreportsto suchmunicipalitiesconcerningthepreparationof theplan.

(c) Reviewandcomment..—Priorto adoptionby the governingbody ofthe county,thecounty shall submitcopies of the proposedplan for review


andcommentto the department,all municipalitieswithin the county, allareawideplanningagenciesandthe countyhealthdepartment,if oneexists.Thecountyshallalsomaketheproposedplanavailableforpublic reviewandcomment.The periodfor reviewandcommentshallbe90 days.Thecountyshall hold at least one public hearing on the proposedplan during thisperiod.Theplansubsequentlysubmittedtothegoverningbodyof thecountyfor adoption shall be accompaniedby a documentcontaining writtenresponsestocommentsmadeduringthecommentperiod.

(d) Adoption and ratification of plan.—Thegoverning body of thecountyshalladoptaplanwithin 60 daysfrom theendof thepubliccommentperiod.Not laterthanten daysfollowingadoptionof aplanby thegoverningbodyof thecounty,theplanshallbesentto municipalitieswithin thecountyfor ratification. If amunicipality doesnot acton theplan within 90 daysofits submissionto suchmunicipality, it shall be deemedto haveratified theplan. If morethanone-half of the municipalities, representingmorethanone-halfof thecounty’spopulationasdeterminedby themostrecentdecen-nial censusby the United StatesBureauof the Census,ratify the plan, thenthe county, within ten days of ratification, shall submit the planto thedepartmentfor approval.

(e) Statementof objections.—Amunicipality may not disapproveof aproposedcounty plan unless the municipality’s resolution of disapprovalcontainsaconcisestatementof its objectionsto theplan.Eachmunicipalitydisapprovingaplanshall immediatelytransmit a copy of its resolutionofdisapproval to the county and the advisory committee. A conditionalapprovalshallbeconsideredadisapproval.Section 504. Failureto ratifyplan. - -

(a) Submission.—Iftheplanis not ratifiedasprovidedinsection503(d),thecountyshallmeetwith theadvisorycommitteeto discussthe reasonsthattheplanwas not ratified. Theadvisorycommitteeshallsubmitarecommen-dationconcerningarevisedcountyplanto thecountywithin 45 daysafter itbecomesapparentthat the planhasfailed to obtainratification. Theadvis-ory committee’srecommendationshall specifically addressthe objectionsstatedby municipalities in their resolutionsof disapprovalof the countyplan.

(b) Adoption of revisedplan by courzty.—Tbegoverningbody of thecountyshalladoptarevisedplanwithin 75 daysafter it hasbecomeapparentthat the original planhas failed to obtainratification. Not later than fivedays following adoptionof a revisedplan by the governingbody of thecounty,theplanshallbesenttomunicipalitieswithin thecountyfor ratifica-tion. If amunicipality doesnot act on therevisedplan within 45 daysof itssubmissionto suchmunicipality, it shallbe deemedto haveratified theplan.If morethanone-halfof themunicipalities,representingmorethanone-halfof thecounty’spopulationasdeterminedby themostrecentdecennial-census-by the United StatesBureauof theCensus,ratify the revisedplan, thenthecounty,within ten daysof ratification, shall submitthe revisedplan to the -

departmentfor approval. -

SESSIONOF1988 Act 1988-101 579

(c) Statementof objections.—Amunicipality may not disapproveof aproposedrevisedcountyplan unlessthe municipality’s resolutionof disap-provalcontainsaconcisestatementof its objectionstotheplan.Eachmunic-ipality shall immediatelytransmita copy of its resolutionof disapprovaltothecounty.

(d) Failureto ratify revisedplan.—If theplan is not ratified asprovidedin subsection(b), thecountyshall submittherevisedplanto thedepartmentfor approval.Therevisedplan shall besubmittedwithin ten daysafter it isapparentthattheplanhasfailed toobtainratificationandshallbe-accompa-niedby thecounty’swrittenresponseto theobjectionsstatedby municipali-tiesin theresolutionsof disapproval.Section505. Reviewof municipalwastemanagementplans.

(a) Departmentalapprovaloptions.—Within30 days after receivingacompleteplan,the departmentshall approve,conditionally approveor dis-approveit, unlessthe departmentgiveswritten noticethatadditional-time-is-necessaryto completeits review. If the departmentgivessuchnotice,it shallhave30 additionaldaystorenderadecision.

(b) Minimum plan requirement.—Thedepartmentshall approve anycountyplanthatdemonstratestothesatisfactionof thedepartmentthat

(1) Theplan is completeandaccurateandconsistentwith thisactandregulationspromulgatedhereunder.

(2) The plan providesfor the maximum feasible developmentandimplementationof recyclingprograms.

(3) The plan providesfor the processingand disposalof municipalwaste in a mannerthat is consistentwith the requirementsof the SolidWaste Management Act and the regulations promulgated pursuantthereto.

(4) The plan providesfor the processingand disposalof municipalwastefor atleasttenyears.

(5) If the plan proposesthat municipal waste generatedwithin thecounty’sboundariesberequired,by meansotherthancontracts,tobepro-cessedor disposedat a designatedfacility undersection303(e),the planexplainsthebasisfor doingso.

(6) If the plan proposesthat the countyownor operatea municipalwasteprocessingor disposalfacility, theplan explainsthe basisfor doingso.(c) Zoningpowersunaffected.—Nothingin thisactshallbeconstruedor

understoodto enlargeor diminish theauthorityof municipalitiesto adoptordinancespursuantto, or to exemptpersonsactingunderthe authorityofthisact from, the provisionsof the actof July 31, 1968 (P.L.805,No.247),known as the PennsylvaniaMunicipalities Planning Code, provided suchordinancesdo not interfere with the reasonableexpansion,pursuantto apermitapplicationfiled with thedepartmentprior to theeffectivedateof thisact, of existingpermittedmunicipalownedmunicipalwastelandfills.Section506. Contracts.

(a) Generalrule.—Exceptas otherwiseprovided in this act, nothinginthisactshallbeconstruedto interferewith, or in anyway modify, theprovi-


sionsof anycontract for municipal wastedisposal,processingor collectionin force in any county,othermunicipality or municipalauthorityupontheeffectivedateof this actor prior to the adoptionpursuantto this actof adepartment-approvedmunicipalwastemanagementplan.

(b) Renewals.—Norenewalof any existingcontractupon theexpirationor terminationof the original term thereofandno new contractfor munici-pal wastedisposal,processingor collectionshall be enteredinto after theeffective date of this act if such renewalor such new contract fails toconformto the applicableprovisionsof thisactor interfereswith the imple-mentationof adepartment-approvedmunicipalwastemanagementplan.Section507. Relationshipbetweenplansandpermits.

(a) Limitation on permit issuance.—Afterthe dateof submissionto thedepartmentof all executedordinances,contractsor other requirementsundersection513, the departmentshall not issueanypermit, or any permitthat resultsin additionalcapacity,for amunicipal wastelandfill or resourcerecovery facility under the Solid WasteManagementAct, in the countyunlessthe applicantdemonstratesto the department’ssatisfactionthat theproposedfacility:

(1) isprovidedfor in theplanfor thecounty;or(2) meetsall ofthefollowingrequirements:

(i) The proposedfacility will not interferewith implementationoftheapprovedplan.

(ii) The proposedfacifity will not interfere with municipal wastecollection, storage,transportation,processingor disposalin the hostcounty. -

(iii) The proposedlocationof the facility is at leastas suitableasalternativelocationsgiving considerationto environmentaland eco-nomicfactors.

(iv) Thegoverningbody of the proposedhost countyhas receivedwritten noticeof the proposedfacility from the applicantpursuanttosection 504 of the Solid WasteManagementAct and, within 60 daysfrom suchnotification, thegoverningbody of theproposedhostcountyhas not providedthe departmentwith written objectionsto the pro-posedfacility. Should the governingbody of the proposedhostcountyfile timely objectionsto the department,the departmentshall notapprovethe permit application,unlessthe departmentdeterminestheproposedfacility complieswith the appropriateenvironmental,publichealth and safetyrequirementsand is in compliancewith this para-graph.

(I,) Exemption.—Thissection shall not imposeany limitation on thedepartment’sauthorityto issue apermit in a countyprior to the depart-ment’sapprovalof amunicipalwastemanagementplanfor thecountyunderthisact.Section508. Studies.

(a) Market developmentfor recyclablematerials.—Within15 monthsafterthe effectivedateof thisact,thedepartmentshallsubmitto theGeneralAssemblyareportthatdescribes:

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 581

(1) Thecurrentandprojectedcapacityof existingmarketsto absorbmaterialsgeneratedby municipal recycling programsin this Common-wealth.

(2) Market conditionsthatinhibit or affect demandformaterialsgen-eratedby municipalrecyclingprograms.

(3) Potentialopportunitiesto increasedemandfor anduseof materi-alsgeneratedby municipalrecyclingprograms.

(4) Recommendationsfor specific actionsto increaseandstabilizethedemandfor materialsgeneratedby municipal recyclingprograms,includ-ing,butnot limited to, proposedlegislation,if necessary.

(5) Specific recommendationson marketsfor recycled materialsforeachregionof thisCommonwealth.(b) Updateof marketstudy.—Withinthreeyearsafter thecompletionof

the marketdevelopmentstudydescribedin subsection(a), the departmentshall submit to theGeneralAssemblyan updateof the study, taking intoaccountinformationdevelopedsinceitscompletion.

(c) Wastereduction.—Within24 monthsafter the effective dateof thisact,thedepartmentshallsubmitto theGeneralAssemblyareport:

(1) That describesvariousmechanismsthatcouldbeutilized to stimu-late andenhancewastereduction,including their advantagesanddisad-vantages.Themechanismsto beanalyzedshall include,but not belimitedto, incentivesfor prolongingproduct life, methodsfor ensuringproductrecyclability,taxesfor excessivepackaging,tax incentives,prohibitionsontheuseof certainproductsandperformancestandardsforproducts.

(2) That includesrecommendationsto stimulateand enhancewastereduction,including,but not limited to, proposedlegislationif necessary.(d) Updateof wastereductionstudy.—Withinthreeyearsafterthecom-

pletion of the wastereductionstudydescribedin subsection(c), the depart-ment -shall submitto the GeneralAssemblyan updateof the study,takinginto accountinformationdevelopedsinceitscompletion.

(e) Distribution to municipalities.—The departmentshall promptlymakeavailableto municipalitiesandother interestedpersonsthe resultsofthestudiesrequiredby thissection.Section 509. Bestavailabletechnology.

(a) Publicationof criteria.—Thedepartment,afterpublicnoticeandanopportunityfor comment,shallpublish in thePennsylvaniaBulletin criteriafor bestavailabletechnology(asdefinedin 25 Pa.Code~ 121.1(relatingtodefinitions))fornewresourcerecoveryfacilities.

(1,) Restriction on issuanceof certainpermits.—Thedepartmentshallnot issueanyapprovalor permit for a new resourcerecoveryfacility undertheactof January8, 1960(1959P.L.2119, No.787),knownastheAir Pollu-tion Control Act, thatis lessstringentthanany provisionof the applicablebestavailabletechnologycriteria.The departmentshall requireany permitrenewalof aresourcerecoveryfacility to operatein compliancewith the-rea-sonablyavailabletechnologycontrolstandardsasestablishedby thedepart-ment.

582 Act 1988-101 LAWSOFPENNSYLVANIA

(c) Operationtestsandreports.—Theoperatorof anyresourcerecoveryfacility shallconducttestsfor emissionsof particulatematter in accordancewithstandardsof performancefornewsourcesspecifiedby theUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency for incinerators,-resourcerecoveryfacili-ties andassociatedcontrol devicesand shall report the resultsin•a mannerestablishedby thedepartment.

(d) New technologies.—Nothingcontainedin this act shall prohibit aprivatecommercialenterprisefrom developingandimplementinginnovativeor alternative,environmentallyacceptable,meanspf reducing,processing,~recyclingand/ordisposingof wastegeneratedby the applicantcommercialenterprise’soperation,eitheronsiteor otherwise,whichmeansarenot viola-tive of, nor inconsistentwith, theprovisionsandpurposesof theSolid WasteManagementAct, thisactanddepartmentregulations.Section510. Permitrequirements.

(a) Permits.—Thedepartmentshall not issueanyapprovalor permitforaresourcerecoveryfacility underthe Solid WasteManagementAct, unlesstheapplicanthasprovidedthedepartmentwithadequatedocumentationandassurancesthatall ashresidueproducedfrom orby aresourcerecoveryfacil-ity will be disposedat a permitted landfill. Prior to the approvalof anypermitapplicationfor aresourcerecoveryfacility, the operatorshallsubmitaplanto thedepartmentfor the alternatedisposalof municipalwastedesig-natedfor disposalattheresourcerecoveryfacility.

(b) Studyof effects on water supply.—Thedepartmentshall not issueany approvalor permit for a resourcerecoveryfacility unlessthe applicanthasprovidedthedepartmentwith astudythatdocumentstheshort-termandlong-termeffectsthatthe facility will haveon the publicandprivatewatersupply.The studyshall include, but not be limited to, effectsof pollution,contamination,diminution and alternative sourcesof water adequateinquantityandquality for thepurposesservedby thewatersupplybothpublicandprivate. -

Section511. Site limitation.(a) Generalrule.—Thedepartmentshallnot issueapermitfor, norallow

theoperationof, anew municipalwastelandfill, a newcommercialresidualwastetreatmentfacility or a newresourcerecoveryfacility within 300yardsof abuilding which is ownedby aschooldistrict or a parochialschoolandusedfor instructionalpurposes,parksor playgroundsexistingprior to thedatethe departmenthas receivedan administrativelycompleteapplicationfor apermitfor suchfacilities.This subsectionshallnot affectany modifica-tion, extension,additionor renewalof existingpermittedfacilities.

(b) Existing features.—Inapplyingsubsection(a), the departmentshallusethe sameprovisionsconcerningexistingfeaturesthatare presentin itsmunicipal wasteregulationsfor otherareaswheremunicipalwastelandfillsandresourcerecoveryfacilitiesareprohibited.

(c) Authorization.—Nothingin thissectionshallpreventthedepartmentfrom establishingsite limitations by regulationunder the Solid WasteMan-agementAct, in addition to or morestringentthanthoseestablishedin thissection.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 583

(d) Exemptionby request.—Thecurrentpropertyownerunder subsec-tion (a) in which anew facility is proposedmaywaive the 300-yardprohibi-tion by signinga written waiver, and, upon suchrequest,the departmentshallwaivethe300-yardprohibitionandshallnot usesuchprohibitionasthebasisfor thedenialof anewpermit.

(e) Waiver.—Thedepartmentmay grant a waiver of the propertylinesetbackrequirementin the department’sregulationsunder theSolid WasteManagementAct for resourcerecoveryfacilitiesif, uponpetitionbyapermitapplicant, the departmentdeterminesthatthe proposedfacility is in con-formancewith local zoningcodesandthattheoperationof the=fadilit~y-wouldresultinan overallreductionin air emissionsandthatall ownersof occupieddwellingswithin the abovesetbackshaveprovidedwritten waiversconsent-ing tothefacility beingcloserthanrequiredin theregulations.Section 512. Completenessreview.

(a) Generalrule.—After receiptof a permit applicationunder the SolidWasteManagementAct for a landfill or resourcerecovery facility, thedepartmentshall determinewhethertheapplicationis administrativelycom-plete.For purposesof this section,anapplicationis administrativelycom-plete if it containsnecessaryinformation,maps,feesandotherdocuments,regardlessof whetherthe information,maps,feesanddocumentswould besufficientfor issuanceof thepermit.

(1) If theapplicationis not administrativelycomplete,thedepartmentshall, within 60 daysof receiptof the application,return it to the appli-cant, alongwith a written statementof the specificinformation, maps,feesanddocumentsthat arerequiredto maketheapplicationadministra-tively complete.

(2) The departmentshall denytheapplicationif theapplicantfails toprovide the information, maps,fees and documentswithin 90 daysofreceiptof thenoticein paragraph(1).(b) Reviewperiod.—.

(1) Thedepartmentshall issueor deny permit applicationsunder thisactwithin the following periodsof time:

(i) For municipal waste andconstruction/demolitionwasteland-fills, within ninemonthsfrom the dateof the department’sdetermina-tion undersubsection(a) that the applicationis administrativelycom-plete.

(ii) For all otherpermits,within six monthsfrom the dateof thedepartment’sdeterminationundersubsection(a) thattheapplicationisadministrativelycomplete.(2) The timeperiods in paragraph(I) do not includeaperiod begin-

ningwith the datethatthe departmentin writing hasrequestedthe appli-cant to makesubstantivecorrectionsor changesto the applicationandendingwith thedatethatthe applicantsubmitsthecorrectionsor changestothedepartment’ssatisfaction.

Section513. Futureavailability.(a) Submissionof ordinances.—Withinoneyearfollowing approvalof a

plan by the department, including plans approved pursuant to


section501(b), the county shall causeto be submittedto the departmentcopiesof all executedordinances,contractsor otherrequirementsto imple-ment its approvedplanandthatwill be usedto ensuresufficient availablecapacitytoproperlydisposeor processall municipalwastethatis expectedtobegeneratedwithin thecountyfor the next tenyears.Thecountymayhavesuchdocuments,contractsor other requirementssubmittedby a persontowhomit hasdelegatedsuchresponsibilityundersection303(d).

(b) Acceptabledocuments.—Thecontractsor other documentsshallmakethedemonstrationrequiredby subsection(a) by anyoft-hefollowing-

(1) Countyownership,operationor control of a facility or facilitieswith suchavailablecapacity.

(2) Contractsbetweenthe county and one or more personsfor therightto useafacility or facilitieswith suchavailablecapacity.

(3) Third-partycontractsfor therightto useafacility or facilities withsuchavailablecapacity.(c) Compliance.—Thecountyshall assurethat facilities subjectto this

sectionmeettherequirementsof section507(a).(d) Definition.—As used in this section,the term “sufficient available

capacity” includesfacilitiesnot in existenceforwhichthecountyhasbindingcommitments.

CHAPTER 7RECYCLING FEE

Section701. Recycling fee for municipal waste landfills and resourcerecoveryfacilities. -

(a) Imposition.—Thereis imposeda recycling fee of $2 per ton for allsolid waste processedat resourcerecoveryfacilities andfor all solid wasteexceptprocessresidueandnonprocessiblewaste from aresourcerecoveryfacility thatis disposedof at municipalwastelandfills. Suchfeeshallbepaidby the operatorof eachmunicipal wastelandfill andresourcerecoveryfacil-ity.

(b) Alternativecalculation.—Thefee for operatorsof municipal waste -

landfillsandresourcerecoveryfacilities thatdo notweighsolidwastewhenitis receivedshall becalculatedasif threecubicyardswere equalto oneton ofsolidwaste.

(c) Wasteweight requirement.—OnandafterApril 9, 1990,eachopera-tor of a municipal waste landfill and resourcerecovery facility that hasreceived30,000or morecubic yardsof solid wastein the previouscalendaryearshall weigh all solid wastewhen it is received.Thescaleusedto weighsolidwasteshallconformtothe requirementsof theact of December1, 1965(P.L.988,No.368),knownastheWeightsandMeasuresAct of 1965,andtheregulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto.Theoperatorof the scaleshallbea licensedpublic weighmasterunder the act of April 28, 1961 (P .L.135,No.64), knownas the Public Weighmaster’sAct, andthe regulationspro-mulgatedpursuantthereto.

(d) Sunsetfor fee.—Nofeeshall be imposedunder this sectionon andafter thefirst dayof the 11thyearfollowing theeffectivedateofthisact.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 585

Section702. Formandtimingof recyclingfeepayment.(a) Quarterly payments.—Eachoperatorof a municipal wastelandfill

and resourcerecoveryfacility shall makethe recyclingfee paymentquar-terly. The feeshallbe paidon or beforethe20thdayof April, July, Octoberand Januaryfor the threemonths endingthe last day of March, June,SeptemberandDecember.

(b) Quarterly reports.—Eachrecycling fee paymentshall be accompa-niedbya form preparedandfurnishedby thedepartmentandcompletedbytheoperator.The form shall statethetotal weightor volume of solid wastereceivedby the facility during the paymentperiod and provideany otheraggregateinformationdeemednecessaryby the departmentto carryout thepurposesof thisact.The formshallbesignedby theoperator.

(c) Timelinessof payment.—Theoperatorshallbedeemedto havemadeatimely paymentof therecyclingfee if the operatorcomplieswith all of thefollowing:

(1) Theenclosedpaymentis for thefull amountowedpursuantto thissectionandno furtherdepartmentalactionis requiredforcollection.

(2) The paymentis accompaniedby the requiredform, andsuch-formiscompleteandaccurate.

(3) The lettertransmittingthepaymentthatis receivedby thedepart-ment is postmarkedby theUnited StatesPostalServiceon or prior to thefinal dayon whichthepaymentis tobereceived.(d) Discount.—Anyoperatorthat makesa timely paymentof the recy-

cling fee as provided in this section shall be entitled to credit and applyagainstthefeepayableadiscountof 1% of theamountof thefeecollected.

(e) Refunds.—Anyoperatorthatbelieveshe hasoverpaidthe recyclingfeemayfile apetitionfor refundto thedepartment.If thedepartmentdeter-minesthatthe operatorhasoverpaidthefee,the departmentshallrefundtotheoperatorthe amountduehim, togetherwith interestata rateestablishedpursuantto section806.1 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176),knownasThe FiscalCode,from the dateof overpayment.No refundof therecyclingfeeshall bemadeunlessthepetition for therefundis filed with thedepartmentwithin six monthsof thedateof theoverpayment.

(I) Alternativeproofof payment.—Forpurposesof this section,presen-tation of areceiptindicating that the paymentwas mailedby registeredorcertifiedmailonor beforetheduedateshallbeevidenceof timely payment.Section 703. Collectionandenforcementof fee.

(a) Interest.—Ifanoperatorfails to makeatimely paymentof therecy-cling fee,theoperatorshallpayinterestontheunpaidamountdueattherateestablishedpursuantto section 806 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343,No.176),knownasTheFiscal Code,fromthelast dayfor timely paymenttothedatepaid.

(b) Additional penalty.—Inadditionto the interestprovidedin subsec-tion (a), if an operatorfails to maketimely paymentof the recycling fee,thereshallbe addedto the amountof feeactuallydue5% of the amountofsuch fee, if the failure to file a timely paymentis for not morethanonemonth, with an additional 5tVo for each additional month, or fraction


thereof, during which such failure continues,not exceeding25% in theaggregate.

(c) Assessmentnotices.—.-(1) If the departmentdeterminesthat any operatorhasnot madea

timely paymentof the recycling fee, it will sendthe operatora writtennoticeof theamountof thedeficiencywithin 30 daysof determiningsuchdeficiency.When the operatorhasnot providedacompleteand accuratestatementof theweightor volume of solidwastereceivedatthefacility forthepaymentperiod,the departmentmay estimatetheweightor volumeinits notice.

(2) Theoperatorchargedwith thedeficiencyshall have30 daysto paythe deficiencyin full or, if the operatorwishesto contestthe deficiency,forwardtheamountof the deficiencyto thedepartmentfor placementinan escrowaccountwith theStateTreasureror any Pennsylvaniabank,orpost an appealbond in the amountof thedeficiency.Suchbond shall beexecutedbya suretylicensedtodo businessin this Commonwealthandbesatisfactoryto the department.Failureto forwardthe money-or-theappealbond to the departmentwithin 30 daysshall resultin a waiverof all legalrights to contestthedeficiency.

(3) If, throughadministrativeor judicial reviewof thedeficiency,it isdeterminedthattheamountof deficiencyshallbereduced,thedepartmentshallwithin 30 daysremit the appropriateamountto the operator,withanyinterestaccumulatedby theescrowdeposit.

(4) The amount determinedafter administrativehearing or afterwaiverof administrativehearingshall be payableto the Commonwealthandshallbecollectiblein themannerprovidedin section 1709.

(5) Any otherprovisionof law to the contrarynotwithstanding,thereshall bea statuteof limitations of five yearsupon actionsbroughtby theCommonwealthpursuanttothissection.

(6) If anyamountduehereunderremainsunpaid30 daysafterreceiptof noticethereof,the departmentmayordertheoperatorof thefacility toceasereceivingany solid wasteuntil the amountof the deficiencyis com-pletelypaid.(d) Filing of appeals.—Notwithstandingany otherprovisionof law, all

appealsof final departmentactions concerningthe resourcerecovery fee,including, but not limited to, petitions for refunds,shall be filed with theEnvironmentalHearingBoard. -

(e) Constructivetrust.—All recyclingfeescollectedby an operatorandheldby suchoperatorprior to paymentto the departmentshall constituteatrust fund for the Commonwealth,and such trust shall be enforceableagainstsuchoperator,its representativesandany personreceivingany partof suchfund without considerationor with knowledgethat the operatoriscommittingabreachof the trust.However,anypersonreceivingpaymentoflawful obligationof the operatorfrom suchfund shall bepresumedto havereceivedthe samein goodfaith andwithoutany knowledgeof the breachoftrust.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 587

(1) Remediescumulative.—Theremediesprovidedto the departmentinthis section are in addition to any other remediesprovided at law or inequity.Section704. Records.

Eachoperatorshall keepdaily recordsof all deliveriesof solid wasteto-thefacility as requiredby the department,including, but not limited to, thenameandaddressof the hauler,the sourceof the waste,the kind of wastereceivedandthe weightorvolumeof thewaste.A copyof theserecordsshallbe maintainedatthesite by theoperatorfor no lessthanfive yearsandshallbe madeavailableto the departmentandthe host municipality for inspec-tion,uponrequest.Section705. Surcharge.

The provisionsof any law to the contrary notwithstanding,theoperatormaycollectthefeeimposedby thissectionasasurchargeon anyfeescheduleestablishedpursuantto law, ordinance,resolutionor contractfor solidwasteprocessingor disposaloperationsatthe facility. In addition,anypersonwhocollectsor transportssolid wastesubjectto the recyclingfeeto a municipalwastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility mayimposea surchargeon anyfee scheduleestablishedpursuantto law, ordinance,resolutionor contractfor the collectionor transportationof solid waste to the facility. The sur-chargeshallbe equalto the increasein disposalfeesat the facility attribut-able to the recyclingfee. However,interestandpenaltieson the fee undersection703(a)and(b) maynotbecollectedasasurcharge.Section706. RecyclingFund.

(a) Establishment.—Allfees receivedby the departmentpursuanttosection701 shall be paid into the StateTreasuryinto aspecialfund to beknownastheRecyclingFund,which isherebyestablished.

(b) Appropriation.—AllmoneysplacedintheRecyclingFundareherebyappropriatedto thedepartmentfor thepurposessetforth in thissection.Thedepartmentshallannuallysubmitto theGovernorfor hisapprovalestimatesof amountsto beexpendedunderthisact.

(c) Allocations.—.-Thedepartmentshall, to the extentpracticable,allo-catethemoneysreceivedby the RecyclingFund, includingall interestgener-atedthereon,in thefollowing manneroverthelife of thefund:

(1) At least 70% shall be expendedby the departmentfor grantstomunicipalitiesfor the developmentandimplementationof recyclingpro-gramsas set forth in section902, recyclingcoordinatorsasprovided insection903, for grantsfor municipal recyclingprogramsas set forth insection904, and marketdevelopmentand wastereductionstudiesas setforth in section508; for implementationof the recommendationsin thestudiesrequiredby section508; andfor researchconductedor fundedbytheDepartmentof Transportationpursuanttosection 1506.

(2) Up to 10% maybeexpendedby thedepartmentforgrantsfor fea-sibility studies for municipal waste processingand disposal facilities,except for facilities for the combustionof municipal wastethat arenotproposedto be operatedfor the recovery of energyas set forth insection901.


(3) Up to 30% may beexpendedby the departmentfor public infor-mation, public educationandtechnicalassistanceprogramsconcerninglitter control, recyclingandwastereduction,includingtechnicalassistanceprogramsfor countiesand othermunicipalities,for researchanddemon-stration projects,for planninggrantsas set forth in section901, for thehost inspectortrainingprogramasset forth in section1102,andfor otherpurposesconsistentwith thisact.

(4) No morethan3% maybeexpendedfor thecollectionandadminis-trationof moneysin thefund.(d) Transfer.—Onthefirst dayof the 16th yearafter the feeimposedby

section701 becomeseffective,all moneysin the RecyclingFundthatarenotobligatedshall be transferredto the Solid WasteAbatementFund andexpendedin thesamemannerasothermoneysin theSolid WasteAbatementFund.On the first day of the 19th yearafter the feeimposedby section701becomeseffective, all moneys in the RecyclingFundthatarenot expendedshallbetransferredto theSolid WasteAbatementFundandexpendedin thesamemannerasothermoneysin theSolid WasteAbatementFund.

(e) Advisory committee.—Thesecretaryshallestablisha RecyclingFundAdvisory Committeecomposedof representativesof counties,othermunici-palities, municipal authorities, the municipal waste managementindustry,the municipal waste recycling industry, the municipal waste generatingindustry andthegeneralpublic. Thecommitteeshall also includemembersof the GeneralAssembly, one appointedby each of the following: theSpeakerof theHouseof Representatives,theMinority Leaderof the Houseof Representatives,thePresidentprotemporeof theSenateandtheMinorityLeaderof the Senate.The committeeshall meetat leastannuallyto reviewthe Commonwealth’sprogressin meetingthe goalsundersection 102(c), torecommendprioritieson expendituresfromthefund, andtoadvisethe~secre-tary on associatedactivitiesconcerningthe administrationof the fund. Thedepartmentshall reimbursemembersof thecommitteefor reasonabletravel,hotel andothernecessaryexpensesincurredin performanceof their dutiesunderthis section.

(f) Annual reports.—Thedepartmentshall submitan annualreport tothe GeneralAssemblyon receiptsto anddisbursementsfrom the RecyclingFundin thepreviousfiscalyear,projectionsfor revenuesandexpendituresinthe coming fiscal year,andthe Commonwealth’sprogressin achievingthegoalsset forth in section 102(c).The annualreportduetwo yearsbeforetheexpirationof the recyclingfee under section701(d) shall containa recom-mendationwhetherthe fee shouldcontinueto be imposedafter the expira-tiondateand,if so,theproposedamountof thefee.

CHAPTER 9GRANTS

Section901. Planninggrants. -

The departmentshall, upon applicationfrom a county,awardgrantsforthecostof preparingmunicipalwastemanagementplans in accordancewiththis act; for carryingout relatedstudies,surveys,investigations,inquiries,

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 589

researchand analyses,including those relatedby siting; andfor environ-mentalmediation.The departmentmayalsoawardgrantsunderthis sectionfor feasibility studiesandprojectdevelopmentfor municipalwasteprocess-ing or disposalfacilities, exceptfor facilities for thecombustionof municipalwastethatarenot proposedto be operatedfor the recoveryof energy.Theapplicationshall be madeon a form preparedandfurnishedby the depart-ment. The applicationshall contain suchinformation as the departmentdeemsnecessaryto carry out the provisionsandpurposesof this act. Thegrantto any countyunder thissectionshallbe80% of theapprovedcostofsuchplansandstudies.Section902. Grants for developmentand implementationof municipal

recyclingprograms.(a) Authorization.—Thedepartmentshallawardgrantsfor development

and implementationof municipal recycling programs,upon applicationfrom any municipality which meetsthe requirementsof this section.Thegrantprovidedby this sectionmay be usedto identify markets,developapublic educationcampaign,purchasecollectionandstorageequipmentanddo other things necessaryto establishamunicipal recyclingprogram.Thegrant may be used to purchasecollection equipment,only to the extentneededfor collection of recyclablematerials,and mechanicalprocessingequipment,only to the extent that suchequipmentis not availableto theprogramin the privatesector.Theapplicationshall bemadeon a form pre-paredand furnishedby the department.The applicationshall explain thestructureandoperationof the programand shall containsuchother infor-mationasthe departmentdeemsnecessaryto carryout the provisionsandpurposesof this act. Thegrantunderthis sectionto amunicipality requiredby section1501 to implement a recycling programshall be 90% of theapprovedcost of establishinga municipal recycling program. The grantunderthissection to a municipality not requiredby section1501 to imple-mentarecyclingprogramshallbe90% of theapprovedcostof establishingamunicipalrecyclingprogram.In addition to the grantunder this section,afinancially distressedmunicipality, asdefinedin section 203(f) of the actofJuly 10, 1987 (P.L.246,No.47),knownastheFinanciallyDistressedMunici-palities Act, that is required by section1501 to implement a recyclingprogramshall be eligible for an additionalgrant equal to 10% of theapprovedcostof establishingamunicipalrecyclingprogram.

(b) Prerequisites.—Thedepartmentshallnot awardanygrantunderthissectionunlessit isdemonstratedto thedepartment’ssatisfactioil that:

(1) Theapplicationiscompleteandaccurate.(2) The recycling programfor which the grant is soughtdoes not

duplicateanyotherrecyclingprogramsoperatingwithin themunicipality.(3) If the applicantis not requiredto implementa recyclingprogram

by section 1501, the applicationdescribesthe collectionsystemfor theprogram,including:

(i) materialscollectedandpersonsaffected;(ii) contractsfor theoperationof theprogram;


(iii) marketsor usesfor collectedmaterials,giving considerationtothe resultsof the market developmentstudyrequiredby section508 iftheresultsareavailable;

(iv) ordinancesor othermechanismsthatwill beusedto ensurethatmaterialsarecollected;

(v) public informationandeducation;(vi) programeconomics,including avoidedprocessingor disposal

costs;and(vii) otherinformationdeemednecessaryby thedepartment.

(4) If the municipalityproposesto usesomeor all of the grantfundsto purchasemechanical processingequipment, the equipment is notavailableto theprogramin theprivatesector.Beforesubmittingtheappli-cationto the department,the municipalityshallpublish in a newspaperofgeneralcirculation a noticedescribingin reasonabledetailthe equipmentwhich the municipality proposesto purchase,or causeto bepurchased,andthe proposedusesof the equipment,andallow 30 daysfor writtenresponsefrom any interestedpersons.The applicationshall describetheresponsesreceivedandshall explainwhy the municipality hasconcludedthatsuchequipmentis not availablefromtheprivatesector.(c) Municipalretroactivegrantswith restrictions.—Thegrantauthorized

by this sectionmaybeawardedto anymunicipalityfor eligible-costsincurredfor amunicipalrecyclingprogramafter60 daysprior to theeffective dateofthis act. However, no grant may be authorizedunder this section for amunicipal recyclingprogramthathasreceiveda grant from the departmentundertheactof July 20, 1974(P.L.572,No.198),knownasthePennsylvaniaSolid Waste- ResourceRecoveryDevelopmentAct, except for coststhatwerenot paidby suchgrant.

(d) Priority.—Eachmunicipality,otherthana county,whichestablishesandimplementsa mandatorysourceseparationandcollectionprogramforrecyclablematerials shall be given the same priority with municipalitiessubjectto therequirementsof section1501for grantsunderthis section.Section903. Grantsfor recyclingcoordinators.

(a) Authorization.—Thedepartmentshall awardgrants to reimbursecountiesfor authorizedcostsincurred for the salaryandexpensesof recy-cling coordinators,uponapplicationfrom anycounty.Theapplicationshallbemadeon a form preparedandfurnishedby the department.Theapplica-tion shall explain the duties and activitiesof the county recyclingcoordi-nator.If a recyclingcoordinatorhasbeenactive prior to the yearfor whichthe grantis sought,theapplicationshallalsoexplainthecoordinator’sactiv-ities andachievementsin thepreviousyear.

(b) Limit on grant.—Thegrantunder this sectionshall not exceed50%of theapprovedcostof therecyclingcoordinator’ssalaryandexpenses.Section904. Performancegrantsformunicipalrecyclingprograms.

(a) Authorization.—Thedepartmentshall awardannual performancegrantsfor municipal recyclingprograms,upon applicationfrom a munici-pality. The applicationshallbe madeon a form preparedandfurnishedbythe department.The application shall contain such information as the

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 591

departmentdeemsnecessaryto carryout theprovisionsandpurposesof thisact.

(b) Availability.—The departmentshallawardagrantunderthissectionto amunicipalitybasedonthetypeandweightof source-separatedrecyclablematerialsidentifiedin section 1501thatwererecycledin thepreviouscalen-daryear,andthepopulationof themunicipality.

(c) Amount.—Theamountof thegrantshallbebasedonavailablefundsunder section706 andshall be availableto all municipalitieswhichhavearecyclingprogramin existenceon or will initiateaprogramaftertheeffectivedateof thisact.

(d) Prerequisites.—Thedepartmentshallnot awardanygrantunderthissectionunlessthe applicationis completeandaccurate,and thematerialswereactuallymarketed.Thedepartmentshallnot awardanygrantunderthissectionfor theoperationof aleafwastecompostingfacility.Section905. Generallimitations.

(a) Contentof application.—Eachgrantapplicationunder this chaptershall include provisionsfor an independentperformanceaudit,which shallbe completedwithin six monthsafterall reimbursablework underthe granthasbeencompleted.

(b) Monetary limit on grant.—The departmentmay not award morethan10% of the moneysavailableunderanygrantunderthis chapterin anyfiscalyearto anycounty.

(c) Other limitations on grants.—Thedepartmentmay not award anygrant under this chapterto any countyor municipality that has failed tocomplywith theconditionsset forth in previouslyawardedgrantsunderthischapter,the requirementsof this chapterandany regulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto.

(d) Lapseof grant.—Agrantoffering pursuantto thischaptershalllapseautomaticallyif fundsfor the grantarenot encumberedwithin oneyearofthe offering. To obtain the grantafter an offering haslapsed,the granteemustsubmitanewapplicationinasubsequentfundingperiod.

(e) Lapseof encumberedfunds.—Grantfunds that have beenencum-beredshall lapseautomaticallyto the recyclingfund if the funds arenotexpendedwithin two yearsafter they havebeenencumbered.The depart-ment may, upon written requestfrom the grantee,extend the two-yearperiod for an additionalperiod of up to threemonths.To obtainany fundsthathavelapsedto the recyclingfund,the granteemustsubmitanew appli-cationin asubsequentfundingperiod.

(f) Availability of funds.—All obligationsof the Commonwealthunderthischapterarecontingentupontheavailabilityof fundsundersection706.

CHAPTER 11ASSISTANCE TO MUNICIPALITIES

Section 1101. Informationprovidedtohostmunicipalities.(a) Departmentalinformation.—Thedepartmentwill provideall of the

following information to the governingbody of host municipalities formunicipalwastelandfills andresourcerecoveryfacilities:


(1) Copies of each departmentinspectionreport for such facilitiesunder the Solid Waste ManagementAct, the act of June 22, 1937(P.L. 1987,No.394),knownasTheCleanStreamsLaw, theact of January8, 1960(1959P.L.2l19,No.787),knownasthe Air PollutionControlAct,andtheactof November26, 1978 (P.L.1375,No.325),knownastheDamSafetyandEncroachmentsAct, within five working daysafter the prepa-rationof suchreports.

(2) Promptnotification of all departmentenforcementor emergencyactionsfor suchfacilities, including, but not limited to, abatementorders,cessationorders,proposedandfinal civil penaltyassessments,andnoticesof violation.

(3) Copiesof all air andwaterquality monitoringdatacollectedby thedepartmentat suchfacilities, within five workingdaysaftercompletelab-oratoryanalysisof suchdatabecomesavailableto thedepartment.(b) Operatorinformation.—Everyoperatorof amunicipalwastelandfill

or resourcerecoveryfacility shall provideto thehost municipality copiesofall air andwaterquality monitoringdata,as requiredby the departmentforthefacility, conductedby or onbehalfof the operator,within five daysaftersuchdatabecomesavailabletotheoperator.

(c) Public information.—All informationprovidedto the hostmunici-pality underthissectionshallbemadeavailableto thepublic for reviewuponrequest.

(d) Information to county.—If the host municipality owns or operatesthe municipalwastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility, or proposesto ownor operatesuchlandfill or facility, the informationrequiredby this sectionshallbeprovidedto thecountywithin whichthelandfill or facility is locatedor proposedtobelocatedinsteadof to thehostmunicipality.

(e) Signon vehicle.—Avehicleor conveyanceusedfor the transportingof solid waste shall bearthe nameand businessaddressof the personormunicipality which ownsthe vehicleor conveyanceandthe specifictype ofsolid wastetransportedby thevehicleor conveyance.All signsshallhavelet-teringwhich is atleastsix inchesin height.Section 1102. Joint inspectionswith hostmunicipalities.

(a) Trainingof inspectors.—(1) Thedepartmentshall establishandconducta trainingprogramto

certify host municipality inspectors for municipal waste landfills andresourcerecoveryfacilities.This programwill beavailabletono morethantwo personswhohavebeendesignatedin writingby thehostmunicipality.The departmentshall hold training programsat least twice a year. Thedepartmentshall certify host municipality inspectorsupon completionofthe training programand satisfactoryperformancein an examinationadministeredby thedepartment.

(2) Certified municipal inspectorsareauthorizedto enterproperty,inspectonly thoserecordsrequiredby the department,take samplesandconductinspectionsin accordancewithdepartmentregulationsasapplica-ble to departmentinspectors.However,certifiedmunicipalinspectorsmaynot issueordersexceptas providedin this subsection.A certified munici-


pal inspectormayordertheoperatorof afacility to ceaseanyoperationoractivity at the facility which constitutesan immediatethreatto publichealthandsafetyandwhichrepresentsaviolation of theSolid WasteMan-agementAct, theregulationspromulgatedunderthatact,anyorderissuedunderthatactor thetermsor conditionsof apermitissuedunderthatact.The order shall expirewithin two hoursunlessthe inspectornotifies thedepartmentandthegoverningbodyof thehost municipality.The depart-mentmay,after conductingan inspection,supersedetheinspector’sorderby issuingan orderof its ownwhichvacatesor modifiesthetermsof theinspector’sorder. If the departmentdoes not supersedethe order, theordershall expireafter 24 hoursunlessotherwiseextended,continuedormodifiedbyacourtpursuantto section1703(b).

(3) Thedepartmentis authorizedto pay for thehost inspectiontrain-ing programandtopay 50%of theapprovedcostof employingacertifiedhostmunicipalityinspectorfor aperiodnotto exceedfive years.

(4) The departmentmay decertifyhostmunicipalityinspectorspursu-antto regulationspromulgatedby theEnvironmentalQualityBoard.(b) Departmentalinformation.—

(1) Wheneverany host municipality presents information to thedepartmentwhichgivesthe departmentreasonto believethatanymunici-pal waste landfill or resourcerecovery facility is in violation of anyrequirementof theactof June22, 1937(P.L. 1987,No.394),knownasTheCleanStreamsLaw, the actof January8, 1960 (1959 P.L.2119,No.787),known as the Air Pollution ControlAct, the actof November26, 1978(P.L. 1375, No.325), known as the Dam SafetyandEncroachmentsAct,the Solid WasteManagementAct, any regulationpromulgatedpursuantthereto,any orderissuedpursuanttheretoor the conditionof anypermitissuedpursuantthereto,the departmentwill promptlyconductaninspec-tion of suchfacility.

(2) The departmentwill notify thehostmunicipality of this inspectionandwill allowacertifiedmunicipalinspectorfromthehostmunicipalitytoaccompanytheinspectorduringtheinspection.

(3) If there is not sufficient information to give the departmentreasonsto believethat thereis aviolation, the departmentwill provideawritten explanationto thehostmunicipality of its decisionnot to conductaninspectionwithin 30 daysof therequestfor inspection.

(4) Uponwritten requestof ahostmunicipalityto thedepartment,thedepartmentwill allowacertifiedinspectorof suchmunicipalityto accom-pany departmentinspectorson routine inspectionsof municipal wastelandfills andresourcerecoveryfacilities.(c) County involvement.—Ifthehost municipalityowns or operatesthe

municipal waste landfill or resourcerecovery facility, the training andinspectionrequirementsof thissectionshallbeavailableto thecountywithinwhichthelandfill or facility is locatedinsteadof thehostmunicipality.Section 1103. Watersupplytestingfor contiguouslandowners.

(a) Required water sampling.—Uponwritten requestfrom personsowning landcontiguousto a municipal wastelandfill, the operatorof such


landfill shall have quarterly sampling and analysisconductedof privatewater supplies used by such persons for drinking water. Such sampling andanalysisshall be conducted by a laboratory certified pursuant to the act ofMay 1, 1984 (P.L.206,No.43),known as the Pennsylvania Safe DrinkingWater Act. The laboratory shall be chosen by the landowners from a list ofregional laboratories supplied by the department. Sampling and analysisshall be at the expense of the landfill operator. Upon request, the landfilloperator shall provide copies of the analyses to persons operating resourcerecovery facilities that dispose of the residue from the facilities at the land-fill.

(b) Extentof analysis.—Watersuppliesshallbeanalyzedfor all parame-tersor chemicalconstituentsdeterminedby the departmentto beindicativeof typicalcontaminationfrom municipalwastelandfills. The laboratoryper-forming suchsamplingand analysisshall providewritten copiesof sampleresultsto thelandownerandto thedepartment.

(c) Additional samplingrequired.-—Iftheanalysisindicatespossiblecon-taminationfrom a municipal waste landfill, the department may conduct, orrequire the landfill operator to have the laboratory conduct, additionalsamplingand analysis to determine more precisely the nature, extent andsource of contamination.

(d) Written notice of rights.—On or before 60-days from the effectivedate of this act for permits issued under the Solid Waste Management Actprior to theeffectivedateof thisact,andator beforethetimeof permitissu-ancefor permits issuedunder the Solid WasteManagementAct after theeffectivedateof this act, the operatorof eachmunicipal wastelandfill shallprovide contiguous landowners with written notice of their rights under thissectiononaformpreparedby thedepartment.Section 1104. Water supply protection.

(a) Alternativewatersupplyrequirement.—Anypersonowningor oper-ating a municipal wastemanagementfacility that adverselyaffectsa publicor private water supply by pollution, degradation, diminution or othermeansshallrestore the affected supply at no additional cost to the owner orreplace the affected supply with an alternate source of water that is of likequantity and quality to the original supply at no additional cost~o~the ~owrser.If any person shall fail to comply with this requirement, the department mayissue such orders to the person as arenecessaryto assure compliance~

(b) Notification to department.—Any landowner or water purveyor suf-fering pollution, degradation or diminution of a~public or private watersupply as a result of solid waste management operations at a municipal wastemanagement facility may so notify the department and request -that an +r~ves-tigation be conducted. Within ten days of such notification, the departmentshall begin investigation of any such claims and shall, within 120 days of thenotification, make a determination. If the department finds that the pollu-tion,degradationor diminution wascausedby theoperationof a municipalwaste management facility or if it presumes the: owner or operator of amunicipalwastefacility responsible for pollution, degradation or diminutionpursuant to subsection (c), then it shallissue suchordersto the owner oroperator as are necessary to ensure compliance with subsection (a).


(c) Rebuttable presumption.—Unless rebutted by one of the fourdefensesestablishedin subsection(d), it shallbepresumedthattheowneroroperator of a municipal waste landfill is responsible for the pollution,degradation or diminution of a public or private water supply that is withinone-quartermile of the perimeter of the area where solid waste managementoperations have been carried out.

(d) Defenses.—Inorder to rebutthe presumptionof liability establishedin subsection(c), the owneror operator must affirmatively prove by clearandconvincingevidenceoneof thefollowing four defenses:

(1) The pollution, degradationor diminution existed prior to anymunicipal waste management operations on the site as determined by apreoperation survey.

(2) The landowner or water purveyor refused to allow the owner oroperator access to conduct a preoperation survey.

(3) The water supply is not within one-quarter mile of the perimeter ofthe area where solid waste disposal activities have been carried-out.

(4) The owner or operator did not cause the pollution, degradation ordiminution.(e) Independent testing.—Any owner or operator electing to preserve its

defenses under subsection (d)(1) or (2) shall retain the services of an indepen-dentcertified laboratoryto conductthe preoperationsurvey of watersup-plies. A copyof the resultsof any surveyshall besubmittedto the depart-ment andthe landowneror waterpurveyorin amannerprescribedby thedepartment.

(1) Other remedies preserved.—.-Nothing in this act shall prevent anylandowneror waterpurveyorwho claimspollution, degradationor diminu-tion of a public or private water supply from seeking any other remedy thatmay be provided at law or in equity.Section 1105. Purchaseof cogeneratedelectricity.

The owner or operator of a resource recovery facility may requesrihatanypublic utility enterinto a contractproviding for the interconnectionof thefacility with the public utility and the purchase of electric energy, or electricenergy and capacity, produced and offered for sale by the facility. The termsof any such contract shall be in accordance with the Federal Public UtilityRegulatory Policies Act of 1978 (Public Law95-617,92 Stat.3117)andanysubsequent amendments, and any applicable Federal regulations promul-gatedpursuantthereto,andtheregulationsof thecommission.Section1106. PennsylvaniaPublicUtility Commission.

(a) Application.—Ifthe owneror operatorof aresourcerecoveryfacilityanda publicutility fail toagreeuponthetermsandconditionsof a-contractfor thepurchase of electric energy, or electric energy and capacity, within 90days of the request by the facility to negotiate such a contract, or if the publicutility fails to offer a contract, either the owner or operator of the facility orthepublicutility mayrequest the commission to establish the terms and con-ditionsof suchacontract.Suchrequestmaybefor aninformalconsultation,apetition for declaratoryorderor aformalcomplaint,asappropriateunderthecircumstances.


(b) Commission response.—The commission shall respond to any suchrequest, unless time limits are waived by the owner or operator and utility, asfollows:

(1) If the request is for an informal consultation, such consultationshall be heldwithin 30 days,andcommissionstaff shall makeits recom-mendationto the partieswithin 30 daysafter thelast consultationor sub-mittal of the lastrequesteddata,whicheveris later. Suchrecommendationmaybe oral or written, but shallnot bebindingon the partiesor thecom-mission.

(2) If the requestis in the form of petition for declaratoryorder,thepetitioner shall comply with the requirements of 52 Pa. Code § 5.41etseq.(relating to petitions)and52 Pa. Code § 57.39(relating to informal con-sultationandcommissionproceedings).Within 30 days after filing suchpetition, the commissionor its staff assignedto the mattermay requestthat the parties file legal memoranda addressing any issues raised therein.Within 60 days after filing of such petition or legal memoranda, whicheveris later, the commission shall act to grant or deny such petition.

(3) If the request is in the form of a formal complaint, the case shallproceedinaccordancewith 66 Pa.C.S.§ 101etseq.(relating to public util-ities). However, the complaintmay be withdrawn at any time, and thematter may proceed as set forth in paragraph (1) or (2).(c) Statusas public utility.—A resourcerecovery facility shall not be

deemed a public utility, as such is defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 101etseq.,if suchfacility produces thermal energy for sale to a public utility and/or ten or lessretail customers, all of whom agree to purchase from such facility undermutually agreed-upon terms, or if such facility produces thermal energy forsale to any number of retail customers, all of which are located on the samesite or site contiguous to that of the selling facility.

(d) Effect of section.—The provisions of this section shall take effectnotwithstandingtheadoptionor failureto adoptanyregulationsby thecom-missionregardingthe purchaseof electricenergyfrom qualifying facilities,as suchterm is definedin section210 of the FederalPublic Utility Regula-tory PoliciesAct of 1978 (PublicLaw 95-617, 92 Stat.3117), theregulationspromulgated pursuant thereto and commission regulations.Section 1107. Claims resulting from pollution occurrences.

(a) Financial responsibility.—(1) Any permit applicationby apersonother thana municipality or

municipalauthorityundertheSolid WasteManagementAct for amunici-pal wastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility shall certify thatthe appli-cant hasin force or will, prior to the initiation of operationsunderthepermit, have in force financial assurances for satisfying claims of bodilyinjury and property damage resulting from pollution occurrences arisingfrom the operation of the landfill or facility. Such financial assurancesshall be in place until the effective date of closure certification under theSolid Waste Management Act and the regulations promulgated pursuantthereto,unlessthe departmentdeterminesthatthe landfill or facility maycontinue to presenta significant risk to the public health, safety andwelfareor theenvironment.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 597

(2) The form and amountof suchfinancial assurancesshall be speci-fied by the department.The requiredfinancial assurancesmayinclude,butarenot limited to,thefollowing:

(i) Commercialpollutionliability insurance.(ii) A securedstandbytrust to becomeself-insuredthatsatisfiesa

financialtestestablishedby regulation.(iii) A trust fund financedby the personandadministeredby an

independenttrusteeapprovedby thedepartment.(b) Municipal financialresponsibility.—

(I) Any permit applicationby a municipality or municipal authorityunder the Solid WasteManagementAct for amunicipal wastelandfill orresourcerecovery facility shall certify that the applicanthasin force orwill, prior to the initiation of operationsunder the permit, havein forcefinancial assurancesfor satisfying claims of bodily injury andpropertydamageresultingfrompollutionoccurrencesarisingfrom theoperationofthe landfill or facility, to the extentthat suchclaims areallowedby 42Pa.C.S.Ch. 85 Subch.C (relating to actionsagainstlocal parties).Suchfinancial assurancesshall bein placeuntil theeffectivedateof closurecer-tification undertheSolid WasteManagementAct andtheregulationspro-mulgatedpursuantthereto, unlessthe departmentdeterminesthat thelandfill or facility may continueto presenta significant risk to the publichealth,safetyandwelfareor theenvironment.

(2) The form andamountof suchfinancialassurancesshall bespeci-fied by the department.The requiredfinancial assurancesmay include,but arenot limited to, thefollowing:

(i) Commercialpollutionliability insurance.(ii) A trust fund financedby themunicipality andadministeredby

anindependenttrusteeapprovedby thedepartment.(iii) An insurancepoolor self-insuranceprogramauthorizedby 42

Pa.C.S.§ 8564(relatingto liability insuranceandself-insurance).(3) In no caseshallthedepartmentestablishminimumfinancialassur-

anceamountsfor a municipality thataregreaterthanthedamagelimita-tionsestablishedin 42 Pa.C.S.Ch.85 Subch.C.(c) Liability limited.—A host municipality or county or municipality

within theplanningareamaynot beheldliable for bodily injury or propertydamageresultingfrom pollution occurrencessolely by reasonsof partici-pationin thepreparationor adoptionof acountyor municipal solid wasteplan. Nothing herein shall be construedto preventany host municipality,countyor municipality within the planningareafrom obtaining or givingsuchindemnitiesas may be appropriatein connectionwith the ownership,operationor controlof amunicipalsolidwastefacility.

(d) Effect on tort claims.—Nothingin this act shall be construedorunderstoodas in any way modifying or affectingthe provisionsset forth in42Pa.C.S.Ch. S5Subch.C.Section 1108. Site-specificpostclosurefund.

(a) Establishmentby county.—Eachcounty shall establishan interest-bearingtrust with an accreditedfinancial institution for every municipal


waste landfill that is operatingwithin its boundaries.This trust shall beestablishedwithin 60daysof theeffectivedateof thisactfor landfillspermit-tedby thedepartmentprior to theeffectivedateof thisact.The trustshallbeestablishedprior to theoperationof anylandfill permittedby thedepartmentafter the effectivedateof this act. Therequirementto establishatrust shallbesatisfiedby the submissionto thedepartmentof apreexistingtrust agree-mentwhich issubstantiallysimilarto therequirementsof thissection.

(b) Purpose.—Thetrustcreatedfor any landfill by this sectionmay beusedonly for remedialmeasuresandemergencyactionsthatarenecessarytopreventor abateadverseeffectsupon the environmentafter closureof thelandfill. However, the countymaywithdraw actualcostsincurredin estab-lishing andadministeringthe fund in an amountnot to exceed0.5%of themoneysdepositedin thefund.

(c) Amount.—Eachoperatorof amunicipalwastelandfill shallpay intothe trust on a quarterlybasisan amountequal to, 25’~per ton of weighedwaste or 25~per threecubic yards of volume measuredwastefor all solidwastereceivedatthelandfill.

(d) Trustee.—Thetrusteeshall managethe trust in accordancewith allapplicablelaws and regulations,except that moneysin the trust shall beinvestedin a mannerthat will allow withdrawalsas providedin subsection(1). Thetrusteeshallbeapersonwhosetrustactivitiesareexaminedandreg-ulatedby aStateor Federalagency.Thetrusteemayresignonlyaftergiving120 days’ notice to the departmentand after the appointmentof a newtrustee.Thetrusteeshallhaveanoffice locatedwithin the countywherethelandfill is located.

(e) Trust agreement.—Theprovisionsof the trust agreementshall beconsistentwith the requirementsof this sectionandshallbeprovidedby theoperatorof thelandfill on aformpreparedandapprovedby thedepartment.The trust agreementshall be accompaniedby a formal certification ofacknowledgment.

(f) Withdrawal of funds.—Thetrusteemay releasemoneys from thetrust only upon written requestof theoperatorof alandfill andupon priorwritten approvalby the department.Suchrequestshallincludetheproposedamount and purposeof the withdrawal and a copy of the department’swritten approvalof the expenditure.A copy of therequestshall beprovidedto thecountyandthehostmunicipality.A copyof anywithdrawaldocumentpreparedby thetrusteeshallbe providedto thedepartment,the countyandthehostmunicipality. No withdrawalfrom thistrustmaybemadeuntil afterthedepartmenthascertifiedclosureof thelandfill.

(g) Abandonmentof trust.—If the departmentcertifies to the trusteethatthe operatorof alandfill hasabandonedthe operationof thelandfill orhas failed or refusedto comply with the requirementsof the Solid WasteManagementAct, theregulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto,anyorderissuedpursuantthereto or the terms or conditionsof its permit, in anyrespect,thetrusteeshall forthwith pay the full amountof the trust to thedepartment.The departmentmay not makesuchcertificationunlessit hasgiven30 days’ written noticeto the operator,the county,andthe trusteeofthedepartment’sintentto do so.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 599

(h) Use of abandonedtrust.—Thedepartmentshall expendall moneyscollected pursuant to subsection (g) for the purposes set forth in subsection(1,). The department may expend money collected from a trust for a landfillonlyfor thatlandfill.

(i) Surplus.—Any moneys remaining in a trust subsequentto finalclosureof alandfill under theSolid WasteManagementAct andtheregula-tionspromulgatedpursuanttheretoshall, upon releaseof the bondby thedepartment,be divided equallybetweenthecountyandthe host municipal-ity.

(j) Duty underlaw.—Nothingin this sectionshallbeunderstoodor con-struedto in anyway relievetheoperatorof amunicipalwastelandfill of anyduty or obligation imposedby this act, the Solid WasteManagementAct,any otheractadministeredby the department,any order issuedpursuantthereto,theregulationspromulgatedpursuanttheretoor thetermsor condi-tionsof anypermit.

(k) Other remedies.—Theremediesprovidedto the departmentin thissectionareinadditiontoanyotherremediesprovidedatlaw orin equity.

(1) Countynot liable.—Nothingin this section shall be understoodorconstruedas imposingany additional responsibilityor liability upon thecounty for complianceof a municipal wastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility with the requirementsof this act, the Solid WasteManagementActandtheregulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto.Section 1109. Trustfund formunicipallyoperatedlandfills.

(a) Establishmentof trust.—Exceptas provided in subsection(b), eachmunicipalityor municipalauthorityoperatingalandfill solely for municipalwastenot classifiedhazardousshall establishan interest-bearingtrust withanaccreditedfinancial institution. This trust shall be establishedwithin 60daysof theeffectivedateof thisactfor landfills permittedby thedepartmentprior to the effectivedateof this act.Thetrust shallbe establishedprior totheoperationof any landfill permittedby thedepartmentafter the effectivedateof thisact.

(b) Exemption.—Anymunicipality or municipal authority that haspostedabondthatis consistentwith the provisionsof theSolid WasteMan-agementAct andthe regulationspromulgatedpursuanttheretoshall not berequiredto establishthetrustsetforth in thissection.

(c) Purpose.—Thetrust createdfor any landfill by this sectionmay beusedonly for completingfinal closureof thelandfill accordingto thepermitgrantedby the departmentunder the Solid WasteManagementAct andtaking suchmeasuresas arenecessaryto preventadverseeffectsupon theenvironment.Suchmeasuresinclude, but arenot limited to, satisfactorymonitoring,postclosurecareandremedialmeasures.

(d) Ainourtt.—Each municipality or municipal authority operatingalandfill solely for municipalwastenot classifiedhazardousshall payinto thetrust on a quarterlybasisan amountdeterminedby thedepartmentfor eachton orcubicyardof solidwastedisposedof atthelandfill. This amountshallbebasedon theestimatedcostof completingfinal closureof thelandfill andtheweightor volumeof wastetobedisposedatthelandfill prior toclosure.


(e) Trustee.—Thetrusteeshall managethe trust in accordancewith allapplicablelaws and regulations,exceptthat moneys in the trust shall beinvestedin a mannerthat will allow withdrawalsas provided in subsection(g). The trusteeshallbea personwhosetrustactivitiesareexamined~and:reg~ulatedby aStateorFederalagency.The trusteemayresignonly aftergiving120 days’ noticeto the departmentand after the appointmentof a newtrustee.

(0 Trust agreement.—Theprovisions of the trust agreementshall beconsistentwith the requirementsof this sectionandshall beprovidedby themunicipalityor municipalauthorityonaformpreparedandapprovedby thedepartment.Thetrustagreementshallbeaccompaniedbyaformal certifica—tion of acknowledgment.

(g) Withdrawal of funds.—Thetrusteemay releasemoneysfrom thetrust only upon written requestof the municipalityor municipal authorityand upon prior written approvalby the department.Suchrequestshallinclude the proposedamountandpurposeof the withdrawalanda copyofthe department’swritten approvalof theexpenditure.A copyof therequestshall beprovidedto the hostmunicipality. A copyof any withdrawaldocu-ment preparedby thetrusteeshallbe providedto thedepartmentandto thehost municipality. No withdrawal from this trust may be madeuntil afterclosureof thelandfill.

(h) Abandonmentof trust.—If the departmentcertifies to the trusteethatthe municipalityor municipalauthorityhasabandonedthe operationofthe landfill or hasfailed or refusedto comply with therequirementsof theSolid Waste ManagementAct or the regulationspromulgatedpursuanttheretoin anyrespect,the trusteeshall forthwith pay thefull amountof thetrustto the department.The departmentmay not makesuchcertificationunlessit hasgiven 30 days’ written noticeto the municipality or municipalauthorityandthetrusteeof thedepartment’sintent todo so.

(i) Use of abandonedtrust.—Thedepartmentshall expendall moneyscollectedpursuantto subsection(h) for the purposesset forth in subsection(c). Thedepartmentmay expendmoneycollectedfrom atrust for alandfillonlyfor thatlandfill.

(j) Surplus.—Exceptfor truststhathavebeenabandonedasprovidedinsubsection(h), any moneysremainingin a trust subsequentto final closureof alandfill undertheSolid WasteManagementAct andtheregulationspro-mulgatedpursuanttheretoshall, upon certification of final closureby thedepartment,bereturnedtothemunicipalityor municipalauthority.

(k) Duty under law.—Nothingin this sectionshallbeunderstoodor con-struedto in any way relievethemunicipality or municipal authorityof anyduty or obligation imposedby this act, the Solid WasteManagementAct,any otheract administeredby the department,the regulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto,any order issuedtheretoor the termsor conditionsof anypermit.

(1) Other remedies.—Theremediesprovided to the departmentin thissectionarein additiontoanyotherremediesprovidedatlawor in equity.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 601

Section 1110. Independentevaluationof permitapplications.At the requestof ahost municipality, the departmentmay reimbursea

host municipality for costsincurredfor an independentpermit applicationreview,by aprofessionalengineerwhois licensedin thisCommonwealthandwho has previousexperiencein preparingsuchpermit applications,of anapplicationunderthe Solid WasteManagementAct, for a new municipalwastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility or thatwould resultin additionalcapacityfor a municipal wastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility. Reim-bursementshallnotexceed$10,000per completeapplication.Section 1111. Protectionof capacity.

(a) Permit condition.—Thefollowing permitsissuedby the departmentunderthe Solid WasteManagementAct shallincludeapermit condition, ifprovidedpursuantto this section,whichrequirescompliancewith anagree-ment or arbitrationaward,settingforth theweight or volume of municipalwastegeneratedwithin the countyand municipalitythat the operatorshallallow andtherates,termsor conditionswith whichmunicipal wasteis to bedeliveredfor disposalor processingatthefacility foraspecifiedperiod:

(1) A permit for a newmunicipal wastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility.

(2) A permit that resultsin additionalcapacityfor amunicipal wastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility.

(3) In thecaseof anexistingfacility, apermitmodificationthatresultsin anincreasein the averageor maximumdaily volumeof wastethatmaybereceivedforprocessingordisposalatthefacility.(b) Determination.—Thepermitconditionshallbedeterminedin thefol-

lowingmanner:(1) The applicantshall notify the host county andhost municipality

uponfiling anapplicationfor permitpursuantto subsection(a).Within 60daysafter receivingwritten noticefrom theapplicantthat anapplicationhasbeenfiled with the department,thehost countyandhostmunicipalityshall provide written notice to the applicantand the departmentif itintendsto negotiatewith theapplicant.If thehostcountyandhostmunici-pality do not providesuchnotice and,if the permit is issued,the permitconditionshallstatethat no wastecapacityis reservedfor thehost countyandhost municipality. The negotiationperiod shall commenceuponthedateof receiptof the written noticeto the applicantfrom thehostcountyandhostmunicipalityandshallcontinuefor 30days.The issuesto becon-sideredin negotiationsshall include,but not be limited to, theweight orvolumeof capacityreservedto ahostcountyandhostmunicipality andanincreasein the averagevolume of wasteuptothe amountof capacitysetaside for municipal waste generatedwithin the host county and hostmunicipality.

(2) If thehostcountyandhostmunicipalityandtheapplicantagreetoa weight or volume of waste capacityto be reservedfor the hostcountyandhostmunicipality, theyshallnotify thedepartmentinwriting.

(3) If the host countyandhost municipality andthe applicanthavefailed to reachan agreementwithin the 30-daynegotiationperiod, then


eitherpartyto thedispute,after written noticeto theotherpartycontain-ing specificationsof theissueor issuesin dispute,mayrequesttheappoint-mentof aboardof arbitrationpursuanttoparagraph(7). Suchnoticeshallbe madein writing to the otherparty within five daysof the end of thenegotiationperiod. In making the decisionas to the termsof the agree-ment,the boardshallconsideramongotherthingsthe availabilityof dis-posal alternativesto the host county andhost municipality. Should thehost countyandhost municipality fail to requestarbitrationwithin fivedays, then the permit condition shall state that no waste capacity isreservedfor thehostcountyandhostmunicipality.

(4) If thecountyandmunicipality electto negotiatewith theapplicantpursuanttothissection,anyagreementor arbitrationawardshall provide,unlessthe host countyandhost municipality andapplicantagreeother-wise, that thecountyandmunicipality shallutilize thecapacityreservedinanagreed-upontimeframe.

(5) Shouldtheapplicantandthehostcountyandhostmunicipalitybeunableto agreeto the termsof the agreementgoverningsuchutilizationwithin 30daysof anagreementor anarbitrationawardasto theweight-orvolume of wastecapacityto be reservedin the facility, either party canrequestthe appointmentof an arbitrationboardpursuantto paragraph(7). In makingthedecisionastothetermsof theagreementfor utilization,the boardshall consider,amongother things, the weight or volume ofcapacityreservedto ahostcountyandhost municipalityunderanypermitissuedpursuantto thissection,anincreasein the averagevolumeof wastein an amountup to theamountof capacityset asidefor municipal wastegeneratedwithin thehost countyandhost municipality, thefinancialvia-bility of the facility andtheterms,includingtheratesper ton fordisposal,of the contractsenteredinto by the applicantfor useof the facility byotherthanthehostcountyandhostmunicipality.

(6) Exceptasprovidedinparagraph(1), thedepartmentshallnot issueanypermit underthis sectionunlessit hasreceivedwritten noticeof anagreementbetweentheapplicantandhostcountyandhostmunicipalityasto theweightor volumeof capacityto be reservedfor thehostcountyandhost municipality as provided in paragraph(2) or unlessit hasreceivedwritten noticethat a Boardof Arbitration appointedpursuantto para-graph(7) hassettledall issuesin disputebetweenthehostcountyandhostmunicipalityandtheapplicant.Thedepartmentshallincludeapermitcon-dition reservingsuchcapacityprovidedfor in suchagreements-or arbitra-tionawards.

(7) Theboardof arbitrationshallbe composedof threepersons,oneappointedby the applicant,oneappointedby the host countyandhostmunicipalityand a third memberto be agreedupon by the applicantandsuchhostcountyandhostmunicipality. Themembersof theboardrepre-sentingthe applicantandthe host countyandhost municipality shall benamedwithin five daysfrom the dateof therequestfor the appointmentof suchboard. If, after aperiodof ten daysfrom thedateof the appoint-mentof thetwo arbitratorsappointedby thehostcountyandhostmunici-

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 603

palityandtheapplicant,thethirdarbitratorhasnot beenselectedby them,theneither arbitratormay requesttheAmericanArbitration Association,or its successorin function,to furnishalist of threemembersotsaidasso-ciation whoareresidentsof Pennsylvaniafrom which the third arbitratorshallbeselected.Thearbitratorappointedby the applicantshalleliminateonenamefrom thelist within five daysafterpublicationof thelist, follow-ing whichthe arbitratorappointedby thehostcountyandhostmunicipal-ity shall eliminateonenamefrom thelist within five daysthereafter.Theindividual whosenameremainson thelist shallbethethird arbitratorandshallactaschairmanof theboardof arbitration.Theboardof arbitrationthus establishedshall commencethe arbitrationproceedingswithin tendaysafter the third arbitratoris selectedandshallmakeits determinationwithin 30daysaftertheappointmentof thethirdarbitrator.(c) Department.—Thedepartmentmay take any action authorizedby

statutethat the departmentdeemsnecessaryto ensurethat operatorsofmunicipal wastelandfills andresourcerecoveryfacilitiesgivepriority to thedisposalorprocessingof municipalwastegeneratedwithin thehost~eounty.

(d) Consultation.—Thehost countyshall consultwith the hostmunici-palityaspartof theproceduresetforth underthissection.

(e) Exemption.—Theprovisionsof this section shall not apply to aresourcerecoveryfacility financedby the host municipality or municipalauthority, and to facilities for the disposalof ash residuefrom municipalwasteincineratorswhich, prior to the enactmentdateof this act, agreetoprovidecapacityto all municipalitieslocatedwithin the countyand whichcanbedocumentedto thedepartment.Section1112. Wastevolumes.

(a) General rule.—No person or municipality operatinga municipalwaste landfill may receive solid waste at the landfill in excess of themaximumor averagedaily volumeapprovedin thepermit by thedepartmentunderthe Solid WasteManagementAct, or authorizedby any regulationpromulgatedpursuantto theSolidWasteManagementAct.

(b) Newpermits.—(1) A permitissuedby thedepartmentundertheSolid WasteManage-

ment Act for a newmunicipal wastelandfill, or thatresultsin additionalcapacityfor a municipal wastelandfill, shall includea permit conditionsettingforth themaximumandaveragevolumesof solid waste-that-maybereceivedonadaily basis.

(2) Thedepartmentmaynotapproveanypermit applicationfor anewmunicipal wastelandfill, or thatwould result in additionalcapacityfor amunicipal wastelandfill, unlessthe applicantdemonstratesall of the fol-lowingto thedepartment’ssatisfaction:

(i) That the proposedmaximumandaveragedaily wastevolumeswill not causeor contributeto anyviolationsof thisact;theSolid WasteManagementAct; anyotherstatuteadministeredby the department;orany regulationpromulgatedpursuantto this act, theSolid WasteMan-agementAct or anyotherstatuteadministeredby thedepartment.


(ii) That the proposedmaximumandaveragedaily wastevolumeswill not causeor contributeto anypublic nuisancefrom odors,noises,dust,trucktraffic or othercauses.

(iii) That the proposedmaximumandaveragedaily wastevolumeswill not interferewith, or contradictany provisioncontainedin, anyapplicablecountysolid wastemanagementplan thathasbeenapprovedby thedepartment.

(c) Existingpermits.—Withinsix monthsafter the effective dateof thisact, the departmentshall review the maximum and averagedaily volumelimits in eachmunicipal waste landfill permit issuedunder the Solid WasteManagementAct beforethe effectivedateof thisact. In reviewinganyexist-ing municipalwastelandfill permit,thedepartmentshallconsider:

(1) That theproposedmaximumandaveragedaily wastevolumeswillnot causeor contributeto anyviolationsof thisact; theSolid WasteMan-agementAct; any other statuteadministeredby the department;or anyregulationpromulgatedpursuantto thisact, theSolid WasteManagementActor anyotherstatuteadministeredby thedepartment.

(2) That the proposedmaximumandaveragedaily wastevolumeswillnot causeor contributeto any publicnuisancefrom odors,noises,dust,trucktraffic or othercauses.

(3) That theproposedmaximumandaveragedaily wastevolumeswillnot interferewith, or contradictanyprovisioncontainedin, anyapplicablecounty solid waste managementplan that has been approvedby thedepartment.

This subsectiondoesnot require a secondreview for facilities wherethedepartmentrevieweddaily wastevolumes 12 monthsbeforethe enactmentdateof thisact.

(d) Permit modification.—Thedepartmentmaynot approveanypermitmodificationrequestunderthe Solid WasteManagementAct to increasethemaximumor averagedaily volumesof solid wastereceivedat a municipalwastelandfill unlessthe applicantdemonstratesall of the following to thedepartment’ssatisfaction:

(1) Increaseddaily volumeswill not causeor contributeto any viola-tions of this act, the Solid WasteManagementAct, any other statuteadministeredby the departmentor any regulationspromulgatedpursuantto this act,the SolidWasteManagementAct or anyotherstatuteadminis-teredby thedepartment.

(2) Increaseddaily volumeswill not causeor contributeto any publicnuisancefrom odors,noise,dust,truck traffic or othercauses.

(3) Increaseddaily volumeswill not reducetheremaininglifetime of alandfill, basedon its remainingpermittedcapacity,tolessthanthreeyearsfrom thedateof issuanceof thepermitmodification.

(4) Increaseddaily volumeswill not interfere with or contradictanyprovisioncontainedin an applicablecountymunicipal managementplanthathasbeenapprovedby thedepartment.(e) Emergencies.—

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 605

(1) Notwithstandinganyprovisionof law to the contrary,the depart-mentshall immediatelymodify a municipal wastelandfill permitto allowincreasedmaximumor averagedaily wastevolumeswhenthedepartmentfinds, in writing, thatthis actionis necessaryto preventapublichealthorenvironmentalemergencyand publishespublic notice of the finding.Action underthisparagraphshall be takenpursuantto section503(e)oftheSolid WasteManagementAct.

(2) When the departmentdeterminesthat the remaininglifetime ofany municipalwastelandfill, basedon its remainingpermittedcapacity,isthreeyears or less, the landfill operator shall give written notice of thefinding to all municipalitiesthat generatemunicipalwastereceivedatthelandfill. Notice shallbegivenannuallythereafteruntil closure-oftheland-fill or until thedepartmenthasissuedapermitundertheSolid WasteMan-agementAct expandingthe capacityof the landfill to more thanthreeyears.This act shallnot beunderstoodor construedto imposeanyobliga-tionon thedepartmentto findalternativeprocessingor disposal-capacity.(f) Enforcement.—Inaddition to anyotherremediesprovidedat law or

in equity, the departmentshallassessacivil penaltyof at least$100 per tonforeachton of wastereceivedatanymunicipalwastelandfill in excess-ofthemaximumor averagedaily volumelimitations set forth in its permit.Exceptfor theminimum amount,the penaltyshall beassessedandcollectedin themannerset forth in section 1704.Eachton of wastein excessof the permitshallbeconsideredaseparateviolation of thisact.

(g) Preferenceto host county waste.—Pursuantto section 1111(a), afacility will giveapreferenceto wastegeneratedwithin the hostcountywhenthefacility receivesanincreasein itsaveragedaily volume.

CHAPTER 13HOST MUNICIPALITY BENEFIT FEE

Section 1301. Hostmunicipalitybenefitfee.(a) Imposition.—Thereis imposeda host municipality benefit feeupon

the operatorof eachmunicipal waste landfill or resourcerecoveryfacilitythat hasa valid permit on the effectivedateof this act or receivesa newpermit or permit that resultsin additional capacityfrom the departmentunder the Solid WasteManagementAct after the effective dateof this act.The feeshall bepaid to thehost municipality. If thehost municipalityownsor operatesthelandfill or facility, thefeeshallnot beimposedfor wastegen-eratedwithin suchmunicipality. If the landfill or facility is locatedwithinmorethanonehost municipality, the fee shallbe apportionedamongthemaccordingto the percentageof the permittedarealocatedin eachmunicipal-ity.

(b) Amount.—Thefee is $1 per ton of weighedsolid waste or $1 perthreecubicyardsof volume-measuredsolid wastefor all solidwastereceivedat a landfill or facility. Any amountspaidby an operatorto ahost munici-pality pursuantto apreexistingagreementshall serveas acredit againstthefeeamountimposedby thissection.


(c) Municipal options.—Nothingin this section or section 1302 shallpreventahostmunicipalityfromreceivingahigher feeor receivingthe-feeina different form or at different times than provided in this section andsection 1302, if the host municipality and the operatorof the municipalwastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility agreeinwriting.

(d) Supersede.—Thefee imposed by this section shall preempt andsupersedeany tax imposed on each municipal waste landfill or resourcerecoveryfacility under the actof December31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511),known as The Local Tax Enabling Act, which is in excessof the amountimposedon or beforeDecember31, 1987.

(e) Countyoptions.—Nothing in this act shall prevent a host countyfrom negotiatinga fee or feein adifferent form, if the hostcountyandtheoperatorof the municipal waste landfill or resourcerecovery agree inwriting. Any countywhichhasnegotiatedafeeasof theeffectivedate-ofthisactmayrequirethatthefeebecontinued.Section 1302. Formandtiming of hostmunicipalitybenefitfeepayment.

(a) Quarterly payment.—Eachoperatorsubject to section1301 shallmakethe host municipality benefit feepaymentquarterly.The fee shall bepaidon or beforethe20th day of April, July, OctoberandJanuaryfor thethreemonthsendingthelastdayofMarch,June,SeptemberandDecember.

(1,) Quarterlyreports.-.--Eachhostmunicipalitybenefitfeepaymentshallbe accompaniedby a form preparedandfurnishedby the departmentandcompletedby the operator.The form shall state the weight or volume ofsolid wastereceivedby thelandfill or facility duringthepaymentperiodandprovideanyotherinformationdeemednecessaryby thedepartmentto carryout the purposesof this act. The form shall be signedby the operator.Acopyof theformshall besentto thedepartmentatthesametimethatthefeeandform aresentto thehostmunicipality.

(c) Timelinessof payment.—Anoperatorshallbe deemedto havemadeatimely paymentof the host municipalitybenefit fee if all of thefollowingaremet:

(1) Theenclosedpaymentis for thefull amountowedpursuantto thissection,andno furtherhostmunicipalityactionis requiredforcollection.

(2) The paymentis accompaniedby therequiredform andsuchformiscompleteandaccurate.

(3) The letter transmittingthe paymentthat is receivedby the hostmunicipalityis postmarkedby theUnited StatesPostalServiteon or priorto thefinal dayon whichthepaymentis to bereceived.(d) Discount.—Anyoperatorthat makesa timely paymentof the host

municipalitybenefit feeasprovided in this sectionshall beentitledto creditandapply againstthefeepayableby him a discountof 1% of theamountofthe feecollectedby him.

(e) Alternativeproof.—Forpurposesof this section,presentationof areceiptindicatingthatthepaymentwasmailedby registeredor certifiedmailonor beforetheduedateshallbeevidenceoftimely payment.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 607

Section1303. Collectionandenforcementof fee.(a) Interest.—Ifan operatorfails to makeatimely paymentof the host

municipality benefit fee, the operatorshall pay interest on the unpaidamountdueattherateestablishedpursuantto section 806of theactof April9, 1929(P.L.343,No.176),known asTheFiscal Code,from thelastdayfortimely paymenttothedatepaid.

(b) Additional penalty.—Inaddition to the interestprovidedin subsec-tion (a),if anoperatorfails tomaketimely paymentof thehostmunicipalitybenefitfee, thereshallbe addedto theamountof feeactuallydue5% of theamountof suchfee, if the failure to file a timely paymentis for not morethanonemonth,withanadditional5%for eachadditionalmonth,or frac-tion thereof,during whichsuchfailurecontinues,not exceeding25% in theaggregate.

(c) Assessmentnotices.—If the host municipality determinesthat anyoperatorof a municipal wastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility hasnotmadeatimely paymentof the host municipality benefit fee, it will sendawritten nOtice for. the amountof the deficiencyto suchoperatorwithin 30daysfrom the dateof determiningsuchdeficiency.When the operatorhasnot provideda completeandaccuratestatementof the weight or volumeofsolidwastereceivedatthelandfill or facility for thepaymentperiod,thehostmunicipalitymayestimatetheweightorvolumein its deficiencynotice.

(d) Constructivetrust.—All host municipality benefit feescollectedbyan operatorandheldby suchoperatorprior to paymentto the hostmunici-pality shall constitutea trust fund for the hostmunicipality, andsuchtrustshallbeenforceableagainstsuchoperator,its representativesandanypersonreceivinganypart of suchfund without considerationor with knowledgethatthe operatoris committingabreachof the trust. However,anypersonreceivingpaymentof lawful obligationof the operatorfrom suchfund shallbepresumedto havereceivedthe samein goodfaith andwitbout-an-y-knowl-edgeof thebreachof trust.

(e) Manner of collection.—Tbe amount due and owing undersection1301 shall be collectibleby thehostmunicipalityin themannerpro-videdinsection 1709.

(1) Remediescumulative.—Theremediesprovidedto hostmunicipalitiesin this sectionare in addition to any otherremediesprovidedat law or inequity.Section 1304. Records.

Eachoperatorthatis requiredtopaythehostmunicipalitybenefitfeeshallkeepdaily recordsof all deliveriesof solidwasteto thelandfill or facility, asrequiredby the host municipality, including, but not limited to, the nameandaddressof thehauler,thesourceof thewaste,thekindof wastereceivedandthe weight or volume of the waste.Such recordsshall bemaintainedinPennsylvaniaby the operatorfor no lessthanfive yearsandshall bemadeavailableto thehostmunicipalityfor inspectionuponrequest.Section 1305. Surcharge.

Theprovisionsof anylawto thecontrarynotwithstanding,theoperatorofany municipal waste landfill or resource recovery facility subject to


section1301 maycollect the hostmunicipality benefit feeasa surchargeonany fee scheduleestablishedpursuantto law, ordinance,resolutionor con-tractfor solidwastedisposalor processingoperationsatthelandfill or facil-ity. In addition,anypersonwho collectsor transportssolid wastesubjecttothe host municipality benefit fee to a municipal wastelandfill or resourcerecoveryfacility subjectto section1301 may imposeasurchargeon anyfeescheduleestablishedpursuantto law, ordinance,resolutionor contract forthe collectionor transportationof solid wasteto thelandfill or facility. Thesurchargeshall be equalto the increasein processingor disposalfeesat thelandfill or facility attributableto thehostmunicipalitybenefitfee. However,interestandpenaltieson the fee undersection 1303(a)and(b) may not becollectedasasurcharge.

CHAPTER 15RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION

Section1501. Municipal implementationof recyclingprograms.(a) Largepopulation.—Withintwo yearsafter the effective dateof this

act, eachmunicipalityotherthanacountythathasapopulationof 10,000ormorepeopleshallestablishandimplementasource-separationandcollectionprogramfor recyclablematerialsin accordancewith thissection.Populationshall bedeterminedby themostrecentdecennialcensusby theBureauof theCensusof theUnitedStatesDepartmentof Commerce.

(b) Smallpopulation.—Withinthreeyearsafterthe effectivedateof thisact, each municipality other thana countythat has a populationof morethan5,000peoplebut less than 10,000people,andwhich hasa populationdensity of morethan300peopleper squaremile, shall establishandimple-ment asource-separationandcollectionprogramfor recyclablematerialsinaccordancewith this section.Populationshall be determinedbasedon themost recentdecennialcensusby the Bureauof the Censusof the UnitedStatesDepartmentof Commerce.

(c) Contents.—Thesource-separationand collection program shallinclude,ataminimum,thefollowing elements:

(1) An ordinanceor regulationadoptedby the governingbody of themunicipality,requiringall of thefollowing:

(i) Personsto separateat leastthreematerialsdeemedappropriateby the municipality from other municipal waste generatedat theirhomes,apartmentsandother residentialestablishmentsandto storesuchmaterialsuntil collection. The threematerialsshallbechosenfromthe following: clear glass,coloredglass,aluminum,steelandbimetalliccans,high-gradeoffice paper,newsprint,corrugatedpaperandplastics.Nothing in the ordinanceor regulationshall be deemedto impair theownershipof separatedmaterialsby the personwho generatedthemunlessanduntil suchmaterialsareplacedatcurbsideor similar locationfor collectionby themunicipalityor itsagents.

(ii) Personsto separateleafwastefrom othermunicipalwastegen-eratedat their homes,apartmentsandother residentialestablishmentsuntil collection unlessthose personshave otherwiseprovidedfor the

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 609

compostingof leafwaste.The governingbodyof a municipality shallallow an owner, landlordor agentof an owner or landlord of multi-family rentalhousingpropertieswith four or moreunitsto complywithits responsibilitiesunder thissectionby establishingacollectionsystemfor recyclablematerialsat each property.The collection systemmustincludesuitablecontainersfor collecting andsorting materials,easilyaccessiblelocationsfor the containersand written instructionsto theoccupantsconcerningthe useand availabilityof the collectionsystem.Owners,landlordsandagentsof ownersor landlordswhocomply withthisactshall not be liable for the noncomplianceof occupantsof theirbuildings.

(iii) Persons to separatehigh grade office paper, aluminum,corrugatedpaperandleafwasteandothermaterialsdeemedappropri-ateby the municipality generatedat commercial,municipal or institu-tional establishmentsand from communityactivities andto storethematerialuntil collection. The governingbody of a municipality shallexempt personsoccupying commercial, institutional and municipalestablishmentswithin its municipalboundariesfrom the requirementsof the ordinanceor regulationif thosepersonshaveotherwiseprovidedfor therecyclingof materialstheyarerequiredby thissectionto recycle.To beeligible for anexemptionunderthis subparagraph,acommercialor institutional solid waste generatormust annuallyprovide writtendocumentationto themunicipalityof thetotalnumberof tonsrecycled.(2) A scheduledday,at leastoncepermonth,duringwhichseparated

materialsare to beplacedatthe curbsideor a similar location for collec-tion.

(3) A system, including trucks and relatedequipment,that collectsrecyclablematerialsfrom thecurbsideor similar locationsatleastoncepermonth from eachresidenceor otherpersongeneratingmunicipalwasteinthe countyor municipality. The municipality, other thanacounty,shallexplainhowthe systemwill operate,the datesof collection, the responsi-bilities of personswithin themunicipalityandincentivesandpenalties.

(4) Provisions to ensurecompliancewith the ordinance, includingincentivesandpenalties.

(5) Provisionsfor therecyclingof collectedmaterials.(d) Notice.—Eachmunicipality subject to this section shall establisha

comprehensiveand sustainedpublic information and educationprogramconcerningrecyclingprogramfeaturesand requirements.As a part of thisprogram,eachmunicipality shall, at least30 daysprior to theinitiation oftherecyclingprogramandatleastonceeverysix monthsthereafter,notify allpersonsoccupying residential, commercial, institutional and municipalpremiseswithin its boundariesof the requirementsof the ordinance.Thegoverningbodyof amunicipality may,in its discretionas it deemsnecessaryandappropriate,placean advertisementin a newspapercirculating in themunicipality, postanoticein publicplaceswherepublicnoticesarecustom-arily posted,includinga noticewith otherofficial notificationsperiodicallymailedto residentialtaxpayersorutilize anycombinationof theforegoing.


(e) Implementation.—(1) Exceptas provided in paragraph(2), amunicipality shall imple-

ment its responsibilitiesfor collection, transportation,processingandmarketingmaterialsunder this section in one or both of the followingways:

(i) Collect, transport,processor market materialsas requiredbythissection.

(ii) Enterinto contractswith otherpersonsfor the collection,trans-portation, processingor marketing of materialsas requiredby thissection.A personwhoentersinto acontractunderthis subsectionshallberesponsiblewith themunicipalityfor implementationof thissection.(2) Nothing in this sectionrequiresamunicipality to collect, trans-

port,processandmarketmaterialsor to contractfor the collection,trans-portation,processingandmarketingof materialsfrom establishmentsoractivitieswhereall of thefollowing aremet:

(i) The municipality is not collectingand transportingmunicipalwastefrom suchestablishmentor activity.

(ii) The municipality has not contractedfor the collection andtransportationof municipalwastefrom suchestablishmentor activity.

(iii) The municipalityhasadoptedan ordinanceasrequiredby thissection,andtheestablishmentor activity is in compliancewith thepro-visionsofthis section.

(t) Preference.—Inimplementingits recyclingprogram,a municipalityshall accordconsiderationfor the collection, marketinganddispositionofrecyclablematerialsto personsengagedin the businessof recyclingon theeffective date of this act, whether or not the personswere operatingforprofit.

(g) Recyclingby operator.—Anoperatorof alandfill or resourcerecov-ery facility may contractwith amunicipalityto providerecyclingservicesinlieuof thecurbsiderecyclingprogram.Thecontractmustensurethatatleast25% of the wastereceivedis recycled.The economicand environmentalimpactof theproposedtechnologyusedfor therecyclingshall receivepriorapprovalfrom thedepartment.

(h) Alternative program.—Amunicipality shall be deemedto complywith this sectionthroughthe useandoperationof a recyclingfacility if itdemonstratesall of thefollowingtothedepartment’ssatisfaction:

(1) Materials separated,collected, recoveredor createdby the recy-cling facility can be marketedas readily asmaterialscollectedthroughacurbsiderecyclingprogram.

(2) Themechanicalseparationtechnologyusedin therecyclingfacilityhasbeendemonstratedto beeffectivefor thelife of operations.atthefacil-ity.

Section 1502. Facilitiesoperationandrecycling.(a) Leaf waste.—Twoyearsaftertheeffectivedateof thisact, nomunic-

ipal wastelandfill may acceptfor disposalandno resourcerecoveryfacilitymayacceptfor processing,otherthancomposting,truckloadscomposedpri-marily of leafwaste.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 611

(b) Drop-off centers.—(1) Two years after the effective date of this act, no personmay

operatea municipal wastelandfill, resourcerecovery facility or transferstationunlessthe operatorhasestablishedat leastonedrop-offcenterforthe collection and sale of at least threerecyclablematerials.The threematerialsshall be chosenfrom the following: clearglass,coloredglass,aluminum,steeland bimetallic cans,high gradeoffice paper,newsprint,corrugatedpaperandplastics.Thecentermustbelocatedatthefacility orin aplacethat is easilyaccessibleto personsgeneratingmunicipal wastethat is processedor disposedat the facility. Eachdrop-off centermustcontainbins or containerswhererecyclablematerialsmay be placedandtemporarilystored.If the operationof thedrop-offcenterrequiresatten-dants,thecentershallbeopenatleasteighthoursperweek,includingfourhoursduringeveningsor weekends.

(2) Eachoperatorshall, at least30 daysprior to the initiation of thedrop-off centerprogramandat least onceevery six monthsthereafter,providepublicnoticeof theavailabilityof the drop-offcenter.Theopera-tor shall placeanadvertisementin anewspapercirculating in themunici-palityor providenoticein anothermannerapprovedby thedepartment.(c) Removalof recyclablematerials.—Twoyearsafter the effectivedate

of this act, no personmay operatea resourcerecoveryfacility unlesstheoperatorhas developeda programfor the removal to the greatestextentpracticableof recyclablematerials,suchasplastics,high gradeoffice paper,aluminum,clearglassandnewspaperfromthewastetobeincinerated.

(d) Removalof hazardousmaterials.—Twoyearsafter theeffectivedateof this act, no personmay operatea resourcerecoveryfacility unlesstheoperatorhas developeda programfor the removal to the greatestextentpracticableof hazardousmaterials,such asplastics,corrosivematerials,bat-teries,pressurizedcansandhouseholdhazardousmaterialsfromthe-wastetobeincinerated.Section 1503. Commonwealthrecyclingandwastereduction.

(a) Recycling.—Withintwo yearsaftertheeffectivedateof thisact,eachCommonwealthagency, in coordinationwith the Departmentof GeneralServices,shall establishandimplement a source-separationandcollectionprogramfor recyclablematerialsproducedasa resultof agencyoperations~including, at aminimum, aluminum,high gradeoffice paperandcorrugatedpaper. The source-separationand collection programshall include, at aminimum,proceduresfor collectingandstoringrecyclablematerials,bins orcontainersfor storingmaterials,andcontractualor otherarrangementswithbuyers.

(b) Wastereduction.—Withintwo yearsafter the effective dateof thisact, eachCommonwealthagency,in coordinationwith the DepartmentofGeneralServices,shall establishand implementawastereductionprogramfor materialsusedin thecourseof agencyoperations.Theprogramshallbedesignedandimplementedto achievethe maximum feasible reductionofwastegeneratedasaresultof agencyoperations.


(c) Useof compostedmaterials.—AllCommonwealthagenciesresponsi-ble for the maintenanceof public landsin this Commonwealthshall, to themaximumextentpracticableandfeasible,givedueconsiderationandprefer-enceto theuseof compostmaterialsin all land maintenanceactivitieswhichareto bepaidwith publicfunds.Section 1504. Procurementby Commonwealthagencies.

(a) Initial review.—Commonwealthagenciesshallreviewandrevisetheirexisting procurementproceduresand specificationsfor the purchaseofgoods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingto:

(1) eliminateproceduresandspecificationsthatexplicitly discriminateagainstgoods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprinting with recycledcontent;and

(2) encouragethe useof goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingwith recycledcontent.(b) Continuingreview.—Commonwealthagenciesshallreviewandrevise

their proceduresandspecificationson a continuing basisto encouragetheuse of goods, supplies,equipment,materialsand printing with recycledcontentandshall, in developingnewproceduresandspecifications,encou-r-agetheuseof goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprinting with recy-cledcontent.

(c) Recycledmaterials.—(1) Commonwealthagenciesshallreviewandrevisetheir procurement

proceduresand specificationsfor the purchaseof goods,supplies,equip-ment,materialsandprinting to ensure,to the maximumextenteconomi-cally feasible,that such agenciespurchasegoods, supplies,equipment,materialsandprinting that may be recycledor reusedwhensuchgoods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingarediscarded.

(2) Commonwealthagenciesshallreviewandrevisetheir procurementproceduresandspecificationson a continuing basisto encouragethe useof goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingthatmayberecycledor reused.

(3) Commonwealthagenciesshall also, in developingnewproceduresandspecifications,encouragetheuseof goods,supplies,equipment,mate-rialsandprintingthatmayberecycledor reused.

Section 1505. Procurementby Departmentof GeneralServices.(a) Bidding.—In issuing invitations to bid for the purchaseof goods,

supplies,equipment,materialsandprinting, theDepartmentof GeneralSer-vicesshallsetforth aminimumpercentageof recycledcontentfor thegoods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingthatmustbecertifiedbyabidderin orderto qualify for thepreferencein subsection(b). For goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingfor which the EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhasadoptedprocurementguidelinesunder the ResourceConserva-tion and RecoveryAct of 1976 (PublicLaw 94-580, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 etseq.),asamended,the minimumpercentageof recycledcontentshall not belessthanis specifiedin suchguidelines.A personmaysubmitabid thatdoesnot certifythatthegoods,supplies,equipment,materialsor printingcontainsuchminimum percentageof recycledcontent.TheDepartmentof General

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 613

Servicesmaywaive this requirementfor goods,supplies,equipment,materi-alsandprintingthatcannotbeprocuredwith recycledcontent.

(b) Preference.—Everybidder for the purchaseof goods, supplies,equipment,materialsandprinting which certifies thatthe goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprinting subject to the bid containthe minimumpercentageof recycledcontentthatis setforth in theinvitation for bids shallbe granteda preferenceequalto 5 ~oof the bid amountagainstany bidderthathasnot socertified. TheDepartmentof GeneralServicesshallwaive thisrequirementforpaperproductspurchasedforState-ownedhospitals.

(c) Ties.—Whenthereis a tie for lowest responsiblebidder,the Depart-ment of GeneralServicesmay consider,as one factor in determiningtowhom to award the contract,which of the bids providesfor the greatestweightof recycledcontent in the goods,supplies,equipment,materialsorprinting,or suchothermeasureof recycledcontentasmaybesetforth in-theinvitationfor bids.

(d) Implementation.—TheDepartmentof General Servicesmay carryouttheprovisionsandpurposesof thissectionthroughappropriatecontrac-tualprovisionsandinvitations to bid, through theadoptionof suchregula-tionsasit deemsnecessary,or both.

(e) Federalfunds.—Theprovisionsof thissectionshall not beapplicablewhensuchprovisionsmayjeopardizethereceiptof Federalfun-ds.

(1) Additionalprovisions.—Therequirementsof this sectionarein addi-tion to thoseset forth in section1504 for the Departmentof GeneralSer-vices.

(g) Cooperation.—AllCommonwealthagenciesshallcooperatewith theDepartmentof GeneralServicesin carryingout thissection.

(h) Annualreport.—TheDepartmentof GeneralServicesshallsubmitanannual report to the GeneralAssembly concerningthe implementationofthis section. This report shall include a descriptionof what actions theDepartmentof GeneralServiceshastakenin thepreviousyearto implementthis section.This reportshall be submittedon or before the anniversaryoftheeffectivedateof thisact.Section 1506. Testingby Departmentof Transportation.

(a) Testing.—Apersonwhobelievesthataparticularconstituentof solidwasteor any productor materialwith recycledcontentmaybe beneficiallyusedin lieu of anotherproductor materialin theCommonwealth’stranspor-tationsystemmayrequesttheDepartmentof Transportationto evaluatethatconstituent,productor material.TheDepartmentof Transportation,in con-sultationwith the department,shall conductapreliminary reviewof eachproposalto identify whichproposalsmerit anevaluation.If the Departmentof Transportationfinds,afteranevaluation,thattheconstituent,productormaterialmaybe beneficiallyused,it shallamendits proceduresandspecifi-cationsto allowtheuseof theconstituentproductor material.

(b) Grants.—TheDepartmentof Transportationmay awardresearchanddemonstrationgrantsconcerningthepotentialbeneficial~us~of apartic-ular constituentof solid waste,or any product or material with recycledcontent,in lieu of anotherproductor materialin theCommonwealth’strans-


portationsystem.Theapplicationshallbemadeon aformpreparedandfur-nishedby theDepartmentof Transportationandshallcontainthe informa-tion theDepartmentof Transportationdeemsnecessary.

(c) Annualreport.—TheDepartmentof Transportationshallsubmit anannualreportto theGeneralAssemblyconcerningits implementationof thissection.This report shall includea descriptionof what actionsthe Depart-ment of Transportationhas takenin the previousyear to implementthissection.This report shall be submittedon or beforethe anniversaryof theeffectivedateof thisact.

(d) Ruiemaking.—TheDepartmentof Transportationmayadoptregula-tionsasit deemsnecessaryto carryoutthissection.

(e) Cooperation.—AllCommonwealthagenciesshallcooperatewith theDepartmentof Transportationin carryingoutthissection.Section 1507. Procurementproceduresfor local publicagencies.

(a) Purpose.—Eachlocal publicagencymay,atits discretion,reviewandreviseits procurementproceduresandspecificationsfor purchasesof goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingto:

(1) eliminateproceduresandspecificationsthatexplicitly discriminateagainstgoods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprinting with recycledcontent;

(2) encouragethe.useof goods, supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingwith recycledcontent;and

(3) ensure,to the maximumextenteconomicallyfeasible,thatit pur-chasesgoods,supplies,equipment,materialsand printing that may berecycledor reusedwhensuchgoods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingarediscarded.(b) Options.—Theoptionssetforth in thissectionmaybeexercised,not-

withstandinganyotherprovisionoflawto thecontrary.Section1508. Procurementoptionsfor local public agenciesandcertain

Commonwealthagencies.(a) Generalrule.—Thissectionsets forth procurementoptionsfor local

public agencies.Theseprocurementoptionsarealsoavailableto Common-wealthagenciesotherthantheDepartmentof GeneralServices.

(b) Options.—Eachpublic agencysubjectto this sectionmay,at its dis-cretion,do anyof thefollowing:

(1) In issuing invitationsto bid for the purchaseof goods,supplies,equipment,materialsand printing, set forth a minimum percentageofrecycledcontentfor the goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprint.ing thatmustbecertifiedby abidderin orderto qualify for thepreferencein this paragraph.For goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingfor whichthe EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhasadoptedprocurementguidelinesunderthe ResourceConservationandRecoveryAct of 1976(PublicLaw 94-580,42 U.S.C. § 6901 etseq.),asamended,the minimumpercentageof recycledcontentshall not be lessthanis specifiedin suchguidelines.A personmaysubmitabid thatdoesnot certifythatthegoods,supplies,equipment,materialsor printingcontainsuchminimumpercent-ageof recycledcontent.Everybidder for thepurchaseof goods,supplies,


equipment,materialsandprintingwhichcertifiesthatthe goods,supplies,equipment,materialsandprintingsubjectto thebid containtheminimumpercentageof recycledcontentthatis set forth in the invitation for bidsshallbe granteda preferenceequalto 5% of the bid amountagainstanybidder that has not so certified.

(2) Establishspecificationsfor bids for public contractsthat requireall bidders to proposethata statedminimum percentageof goods,sup-plies,equipment,materialsor printingto beusedfor thecontractbemadefrom recycledmaterial.

(3) Uponevaluationof bids openedfor a public contractfor goods,supplies,equipment,materialsor printing, the agencyshall identify thelowest responsiblebidder. Where there is a tie for lowest responsiblebidder,theagencyshallconsider,asonefactorin determiningto whomtoawardthecontract,which of the bidsprovidesfor the greatestweightofrecycledcontentin thegoods,supplies,equipment,materialsor printing,or suchothermeasureof recycledcontentasmaybeset forth in theinvita-tion forbids.(c) Other laws.—Theoptionsset forth in this sectionmaybeexercised,

notwithstandinganyotherprovisionof lawtothecontrary.Section1509. Recyclingateducationalinstitutions.

Thedepartment,in consultationwith theDepartmentof Education,shalldevelopguidelinesfor sourceseparationandcollectionof recyclablemateri-als andfor wastereductionin primaryandsecondaryschools,collegesanduniversities,whetherthe schools,collegesanduniversitiesarepublicor non-public. At a minimum, the guidelinesshall addressmaterialsgeneratedinadministrativeoffices, classrooms,dormitoriesandcafeterias.The Depart-ment of Education shall distribute theseguidelinesand encouragetheirimplementation.The guidelinesshall be developedand distributedwithintwo yearsof theeffective dateof thisact, exceptthatthe guidelinesarenotrequiredtobedistributedto educationalinstitutionsthatareCommonwealthagenciesimplementingrecyclingprogramsundersection 1505.Section 1510. Leadacidbatteries.

(a) Certaindisposalprohibited..-.-Nopersonmay placea usedleadacidbatteryin mixedmunicipalsolidwaste,discardor otherwisedisposeof a-leadacid batteryexceptby delivery to anautomotivebatteryretailer or whole-saler,toasecondaryleadsmelterpermittedby theEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,or to acollectionor recyclingfacility authorizedunder thelawsufthisCommonwealth.

(b) Disposalby dealers.—Noautomotivebatteryretailershall disposeofausedlead acid batteryexceptby delivery to a secondarylead smelterper-mitted by theEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,or to a collectionor recy-cling facility authorizedunderthelaws of this Commonwealth,or to theagentof a batterymanufactureror wholesalerfor delivery to asecondarylead smelterpermittedby the EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,or acollec-tionor recyclingfacility authorizedunderthelawsof thisCommonwealth.

(c) Collection for recycing.—Anypersonselling or offering for sale atretailleadacidbatteriesshall:


(1) Accept,atthe point of transfer,in aquantityat leastequalto thenumberpurchased,usedlead acid batteriesfrom customersin exchangefor newbatteriespurchased.

(2) Postwritten noticewhichmustbeatleast8 1/2inchesby 11 inchesin size andmust containthe universalrecyclingsymbolandthe followinglanguage:

(i) “It is illegal to discarda motor vehicle or other lead acidbattery.”

(ii) “Recycleyourusedbatteries.”(iii) “Statelaw requiresus to acceptusedmotor vehicle or other

lead acid batteries for recycling, in exchangefor new batteriespur-chased.”

(d) Lead acid battery wholesalers.—Anypersonselling new lead acidbatteriesat wholesaleshall accept,at the point of transfer,usedlead acidbatteriesfrom customersin a quantity at leastequal to the numberpur-chased.A personacceptingbatteriesin transferfrom anautomotivebatteryretailer shallbe alloweda period not to exceed90 daysto removebatteriesfrom theretail pointof collection.

(e) Inspectionof automotivebattery retailers.—Thedepartmentshallproduce, print and distributethe notices requiredby subsection(d) to allplaceswherelead acidbatteriesareofferedfor saleatretail. Thedepartmentmayinspectanyplace,buildingor premisesgovernedby thisact. Authorizedemployeesof the departmentmay issuewarningsandcitations to personswho fail to complywith therequirementsof thissection.Failureto post therequirednoticefollowing warning shall be subjectto a civil penaltyof $25perday,collectibleby thedepartment.

(1) Enforcement.—TheDepartmentof EnvironmentalResourcesshallenforcethissection.Section 1511. Recycledpaperproducts.

(a) Generalrule.—TheDepartmentof GeneralServicesshall, to thefullest extentpossiblewhen contractingfor paperor paperproducts,pur-chaseor approvefor purchaseonly suchpaperor paperproductsthat aremanufacturedor producedfrom recycled paperas specifiedin subsection(b). -

(b) Implementation.—Theprovisionsof subsection(a) shall be imple-mentedby theDepartmentof GeneralServicessothat,of thetotalvolumeofpaperpurchased,recycledpapercomposesat least 10% of the volume in1989,atleast25% of thevolume in 1991 andatleast40% of the volume in1993.

(c) Newsprint.—Inthe caseof thepurchaseof newsprintand newsprintproducts,atleast40¾of thesecondarywastepapermaterialusedin recyclednewsprintshallbepostconsumernewspaperwaste.

(d) Applicationof section.—Thissectionshallnot applyto thepurchaseof papercontainersfor food or beverages.

(e) Definitions.—As used in this section, the following words andphrasesshallhavethemeaningsgivento themin thissubsection:

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 617

“Postconsumerwaste.” Any productgeneratedby a businessor con-sumerwhich hasservedits intendedenduse,andwhich hasbeenseparatedfromsolid wastefor thepurposesof collection,recyclinganddispositionandwhichdoesnotincludesecondarywastematerialor demolitionwaste.

“Recycledpaper.” Anypaperhavingatotalweightconsistingof not lessthan20% secondarywastepapermaterialin 1989,not lessthan30%of saidmaterialin 1991,notlessthan40%of saidmaterialin 1993,andnot lessthan50% of saidmaterial in 1996 andthereafter,andnot lessthan 10% post-consumerwastebeginningin 1996.

“Secondarywaste paper material.” Paper waste generatedafter thecompletionof apapermakingprocess,suchaspostconsumerwastematerial,envelopecuttings,bindery trimmings,printingwaste,cutting andothercon-verting waste,butt rolls and mill wrappers.The term shall not includefibrous wastegeneratedduring the manufacturingprocess,suchas fibersrecoveredfrom wastewateror trimmings of papermachinerolls, fibrousby-productsof harvesting,extractiveor woodcuttIngprocess,or forestresiduesuchasbark.Section1512. HouseholdHazardousWasteCollectionandDisposalGrant

Program.(a) Administration.—Itshallbethedutyof thedepartmentto administer

aHouseholdHazardousWasteCollectionandDisposalGrant Programforhouseholds,farms,schoolsandsmallbusinesses,to be knownas~-the-Righi-Way-to-Throw-AwayProgram.

(b) Grants.—ltshall be the duty of the departmentto administerspe-cifically appropriatedfunds for a grantprogramto municipalitiesfor theestablishmentandoperationof householdhazardouswastecollectionpro-grams.The departmentshall establishguidelinesfor the awardingof suchgrantsandshall givepriority to thoseprogramsoperatedby counties,multi-countyagencies,cities of the first andsecondclassandcurrentmunicipalprograms.

(c) Registration;departmentapproval.—Nomunicipalityshall establisha program for the collection and managementof householdhazardouswastesuntil the programhas been registeredwith and approvedby thedepartment.Eachmunicipalityshallalsomaintainandsubmitrecordsto thedepartmentas requiredunder the guidelines or regulationspromulgatedundersubsection(d).

(d) Powersanddutiesof the department.—Thedepartmentshall havethepowerandits dutyshallbeto:

(1) Administer the Right-Way-to-Throw-AwayProgramestablishedpursuantto thissection.

(2) Determinethetypesandamountsof householdhazardouswastetobehandledin theprogramandthesizeof thebusinessestablishments~ellgi-blefor inclusionasentities.

(3) Licensea collectioncontractoror contractorsasdefinedandpro-videdfor in thissection.

(4) Establishguidelinesfor the registrationandoperationsof house-hold hazardouswastecollectionprogramswithin 90 daysfrom theeffec-


tive dateof this act. The guidelinesshallterminateafter a period of oneyearor uponpromulgationby theEnvironmentalQuality Boardof regula-tionsfor theseactivities,whicheveroccursfirst.

(5) Inspectall suchcollectionsitesoperatedpursuantto this sectiontoinsure that such collection is performedin a safeand environmentallysoundmanner.

(6) Requirerecordsto be submittedto the departmentby the munici-palityor collectioncontractoridentifying typesandamounts-of-householdhazardouswastecollected,entitiessubmittinghouseholdhazardouswasteandthepointsof ultimatedisposition.

(7) Submitanannualreportto theGeneralAssemblysummarizingtheoperationandcostsof theprogram,including locationof sites,typesandamountsof wastecollected,entitiesdisposingof wasteat the collectionsitesandthemethodsutilized fordisposalof thewastes.

(8) Develop a fee schedulefor eligible small businesses,with provi-sionsexemptingnonprofitentitiesfromthepaymentof fees.(e) Collectioncontractorresponsibilities.—

(1) Qualifications.—No collection contractor may be selected tooperateacollectionprogramor siteunlessthecontractorcandemonstrateto the satisfactionof thedepartmentits ability to collect, package,trans-port anddisposeof hazardouswastecollectedunderthis programconsis-tent with the requirementsof Articles IV, V andVI of the Solid WasteManagementAct andregulationspromulgatedthereunderandguidelinesor regulationsunderthisact.

(2) Ineligibility.—A collection contractor shall not be eligible tooperatea collectionprogramor collectionsite if thedepartmentfinds thatsuchpersonhasshowna lack of ability or alack of intent to comply withthe Solid WasteManagementAct or other environmentallaws of thisCommonwealth,otherstatesor theUnitedStates.

(3) Requirementsof the Solid WasteManagementAct.—In additionto the requirementsof this act,the contractorselectedto operateacollec-tion programshallbe deemedto bea generatorof hazardouswasteundertheSolidWasteManagementAct andsubjectto therequirementsandpen-altiesprovidedin Article IV, V andVI of thatact.(f) Limit on amount.—.-Noeligible entity shall depositmorethan 100

kilogramsof wasteatanyonescheduledcollectionevent.(g) Exclusions.—Thefollowing wasteshall not be acceptedat acollec-

tion point:(1) Radioactivewaste.(2) Biologically activewaste.(3) Gascylindersandaerosolcans.(4) Explosivesandordinancematerials.

(h) Public awareness.—Thedepartmentshall administera programofpublic informationrelatingto the needfor andpromotionof the collectiondaysto encouragecitizenparticipationandinformcitizensof:theimportanceof proper disposalof hazardouswaste.The departmentshall, within oneyearof the effectivedateof this act, establisha toll-free telephoneline to


provideinformationto the publicon mattersrelatingto householdhazard-ouswastemanagement.

(i) Sites.—Collectioneventsmay be conductedon sitesselectedby thesponsoringentity or entities.Suchsitesmay beon publicor privateproperty,including, but not limited to, propertyowned,leasedor controlledby theCommonwealth,its agenciesor its politicalsubdivisions.Writtenpermissionto usethe sitefor the conductof theeventshallbe obtainedfrom theownerprior totheevent.

(j) Liability.—An ownerwho, without charge,permitsany propertytobe usedas asite for a collectioneventshall not be liable for any damage,harmor injury to any personor propertywhich resultsfrom theuseof thepropertyasasite for acollectionevent.

(k) Definitions.—As used in this section, the following words andphrasesshallhavethemeaningsgiventothemin thissubsectiomz~

“Collection contractor.” A person licensed by the departmentandretainedby amunicipalityto operateahouseholdhazardouswastecollectionprogram.

“Household hazardouswaste.” Any waste that would be consideredhazardousundertheSolid WasteManagementAct, but for the fact thatit isproducedin quantitiessmallerthanthoseregulatedunderthat-actandisgen-eratedby personsnot otherwisecoveredby thatact.At thediscretionof thedepartment,thetermmayincludeusedoil.

“Owner.” The possessionof feeinterest;a tenant,lessee,occupant,orpersonin contact;or theCommonwealth,its agenciesandits-political &ubdi-visions.

“Small business.” Any commercialestablishmentnot regulatedundertheResourceConservationandRecoveryAct of 1976(PublicLaw94-580,42U.S.C.§ 6901etseq.).

CHAPTER 17ENFORCEMENTAND REMEDIES

Section 1701. Unlawfulconduct.(a) Offensesdefined.—ltshallbeunlawful foranypersonto:

(1) Violate, or causeor assistin theviolation of, anyprovisionof thisact,anyregulationpromulgatedhereunder,anyorderissuedhereunder,orthe terms or conditions of any municipal waste managementplanapprovedby thedepartmentunderthisact.

(2) Fail to adhereto thescheduleset forth in, or pursuantto, this actfordevelopingor submittingto thedepartmentamunicipalwaste-manage-mentplan.

(3) Fail to adhereto the scheduleset forth in an approvedplan forplanning,design,siting, constructionor operationof municipalwastepro-cessingor disposalfacilities.

(4) Act in amannerthat is contraryto the approvedcountyplan orotherwisefail to act in a mannerthat is consistentwith the approvedcountyplan.


(5) Fail to makeatimely paymentof therecyclingfeeor host munici-palitybenefitfee.

(6) Hinder, obstruct,preventor interfere with the departmentor itspersonnelin the performanceof anydutyunderthisact.

(7) Hinder, obstruct,preventor interferewith host municipalitiesortheir personnelin the performanceof anyduty relatedto thecollectionofthe host municipality benefit fee or in conductingany inspectionautho-rizedby thisact.

(8) Violate the provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4903 (relating to falseswearing)or 4904(relatingto unswornfalsificationto authorities)in com-plying with anyprovisionof thisact, including,but not limited to, provid-ing or preparinganyinformationrequiredbythisact.

(9) Fail to makeany paymentto the site-specificpostclosurefund orthe trust fund for municipally operatedlandfills in accordancewith theprovisionsof thisact.(b) Public nuisance.~—Allunlawful conductset forth in subsection(a)

shallalsoconstituteapublicnuisance.(c) Unlawful conduct.—Itshallbe unlawful to sell or offer for salebev-

eragesconnectedto eachotherby plasticbeveragecarrierswherethecarrieris not a degradableplastic beveragecarrier. The departmentshall certifywhethera plastic beveragecarriermeetsthe standardsof degradabilityasdefinedin thisact.Section1702. Enforcementorders.

(a) Issuance.—Thedepartmentmay issue suchordersto personsas itdeemsnecessaryto aid in theenforcementof theprovisionsof this act.Suchordersmay include,but shall not belimited to, ordersrequiringpersonstocomplywith approvedmunicipalwastemanagementplansandordersrequir-ing compliancewith the provisionsof this actandthe regulationspromul-gatedpursuantthereto.Any orderissuedunderthisactshalltakeeffectuponnotice,unlesstheorderspecifiesotherwise.An appealto theEnvironmentalHearingBoardshall not actas asupersedeas.Thepowerof thedepartmentto issueanorderunder thisactis in additionto anyotherremedywhich-maybeaffordedtothedepartmentpursuantto thisactor anyotheract.

(b) Compliance.—Itshallbethedutyof anypersonto proceeddiligentlyto complywith any orderissuedpursuantto subsection(a). If suchpersonfails to proceeddiligently or fails to comply with theorderwithin suchtime,if any,asmay bespecified,suchpersonshallbeguilty of contemptandshallbe punishedby the court in an appropriatemanner,andfor this purpose,applicationmaybe madeby the departmentto the CommonwealthCourt,which isherebygrantedjurisdiction.Section1703. Restrainingviolations.

(a) Injunctions.—Inaddition to any otherremediesprovidedin thisact,the departmentmay institutea suit in equity in the nameof the Common-wealthwhereunlawfulconductor publicnuisanceexists for aninjunctiontorestrainaviolation of this act,theregulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto,any order issued pursuantthereto, or the terms or conditions of anyapprovedmunicipal waste managementplan, andto restrainthe mainte-


nanceor threatof apublicnuisance.In anysuchproceeding,thecourtshall,upon motionof the Commonwealth,issueaprohibitory or mandatorypre-liminary injunction if it finds that the defendantis engagingin unlawfulconduct as definedby this act or is engagedin conductwhich is causingimmediateandirreparableharmto thepublic. TheCommonwealthshallnotbe requiredto furnish bond or othersecurityin connectionwith suchpro-ceedings.In additionto aninjunction, thecourt,in suchequityproceedings,maylevycivil penaltiesasspecifiedin section1704.

(b) Jurisdiction.—Inaddition to anyotherremediesprovidedfor in thisact, upon relationof any district attorneyof any countyaffected,or uponrelationof the solicitor of any countyor municipalityaffected,anactioninequitymaybebroughtin acourt of competentjurisdictionfor aninjunctionto restrainany andall violationsof this act or the regulationspromulgatedpursuantthereto,or torestrainanypublicnuisance.

(c) Concurrentremedies.—Thepenaltiesandremediesprescribedby thisact shall be deemedconcurrent,and the existenceof or exerciseof anyremedyshall not preventthe departmentfrom exercisingany otherremedyhereunder,atlawor in equity.

(d) Venue.—Actionsinstitutedunder this sectionmay be filed in theappropriatecourt of commonpleasor in the CommonwealthCourt,whichcourtsareherebygrantedjurisdictiontohearsuchactions.Section 1704. Civil penalties.

(a) Assessment.—Inaddition to proceedingunder any other remedyavailableat law or in equityfor aviolation of anyprovisionof this act, theregulationspromulgatedhereunder,anyorderof thedepartmentissuedhere-underor anytermor conditionof anapprovedmunicipalwastemanagementplan,thedepartmentmayassessacivil penaltyuponapersonfor suchviola-tion. Sucha penaltymaybeassessedwhetheror not theviolation waswillfulor negligent.In determiningtheamountof thepenalty,thedepartmentshallconsiderthe willfulness of the violation; the effect on the municipal wasteplanningprocess;damageto air, water, landor othernaturalresourcesofthisCommonwealthor their uses;costof restorationandabatement;savingsresultingto thepersonin consequenceof suchviolation; deterrenceof-futureviolations; andother relevantfactors. If theviolation leadsto issuanceof acessationorder,acivil penaltyshallbeassessed.

(b) Escrow.—Whenthe departmentassessesa civil penalty, it shallinformthepersonof theamountof thepenalty.Thepersonchargedwith thepenaltyshall thenhave 30 daysto pay the penaltyin full or, if the personwishesto contesteither theamountof thepenaltyor thefactof theviolation,either to forwardthe proposedamountto thedepartmentfor placementinanescrowaccountwith theStateTreasureror with abank in thisCommon-wealthor to post anappealbond in the amountof the penalty. The bondmustbeexecutedby asuretylicensedto do businessin this Commonwealthand mustbe satisfactoryto the department.If, throughadministrativeorjudicial reviewof the proposedpenalty, it is determinedthat no violationoccurredor thattheamountof the penaltyshallbereduced,thedepartmentshall, within 30 days,remit the appropriateamountto the person,with an


interestaccumulatedby theescrowdeposit.Failureto forwardthe moneyortheappealbondto the departmentwithin 30 daysshall resultin awaiverofall legalrightsto contesttheviolationor theamountof thepenalt-y.

(c) Amount.—Themaximumcivil penaltywhichmaybeassessedpursu-ant to this sectionis $10,000perviolation. Eachviolation for eachseparatedayandeachviolation of anyprovision of this act, anyregulationpromul-gatedhereunder,any order issuedhereunderor the terms or conditionsofany approvedmunicipal wastemanagementplan shall constitutea separateoffenseunderthissection.

(d) Statuteof limitations.—Notwithstandingany otherprovisionof lawto the contrary, thereshall be a statuteof limitations of five yearsuponactionsbroughtby theCommonwealthunderthissection.Section1705. Criminal penalties.

(a) Summaryoffense.—Any person, other than a municipal officialexercisinghisofficial duties,whoviolatesany provisionof this act,anyregu-lation promulgatedhereunder,any order issuedhereunderor the termsorconditionsof any approvedmunicipal wastemanagementplan shall, uponconviction thereofin a summaryproceeding,be sentencedto pay a fine ofnot lessthan$100andnot morethan$1,000andcostsand,in defaultof thepaymentof suchfine andcosts,toundergoimprisonmentfor not morethan30 days.

(b) Misdemeanoroffense.—Anyperson,otherthana municipalofficialexercisinghis official duties,whoviolatesanyprovisionof thisact,anyregu-lation promulgatedhereunder,any order issuedhereunderor the termsorconditionsof any approvedmunicipal wastemanagementplan commitsamisdemeanorof thethird degreeandshall, uponconviction,besentencedtopayafine of not lessthan$1,000but not morethan$10,000perdayfor eachviolation or to imprisonmentfor a period of not morethan oneyear, orboth.

(c) Secondor subsequentoffense.—Anyperson,otherthanamunicipalofficial exercisinghis official duties,who,within two yearsafteraconvictionof amisdemeanorfor anyviolation of this act,violatesanyprovisionof thisact, any regulationpromulgatedhereunder,any orderissuedhereunderorthe termsor conditionsof anyapprovedmunicipalwastemanagementplancommitsamisdemeanorof theseconddegreeandshall, uponconviction,besentencedto pay a fine of not lessthan$2,500nor morethan$25,000foreachviolation or to imprisonmentfor a period of not morethantwo years,orboth.

(d) Violationsto be separateoffense.—Eachviolation for eachseparatedayandeachviolation of anyprovisionof this act, any regulationpromul-gatedhereunder,any order issuedhereunderor the termsor conditionsofany approvedmunicipalwastemanagementplan shall constitutea separateoffenseundersubsections(a),(b) and(c).Section 1706. Existing rightsandremediespreserved;cumulativeremedies

authorized.Nothing in this act shallbeconstruedasestoppingthe Commonwealthor

anydistrict attorneyof a countyor solicitor of a municipalityfrom proceed-

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 623

ing in courtsof law or equity to abatepollutionforbiddenunder thisact orabatenuisancesunderexistinglaw. It isherebydeclaredto bethepurposeofthisactto provideadditionalandcumulativeremediesto control municipalwasteplanningandmanagementwithin this Commonwealth,andnothingcontainedin thisactshallin anyway abridgeor alterrightsof actionor rem-ediesnowor hereafterexistingin equity, or underthecommonlawor statu-torylaw, criminalor civil. Nothingin thisact or theapprovalof anymunici-pal wastemanagementplan underthis act or any act doneby virtue of thisactshall be construedas estoppingthe Commonwealthor personsin theexerciseof their rights underthecommonlawor decisionallawor in equity,from proceedingin courtsof law or equityto suppressnuisances,or to abateanypollution nowor hereafterexisting,or to enforcecommonlaw or statu-tory rights. No court of this Commonwealthhavingjurisdiction to abatepublic or private nuisancesshall be deprived of suchjurisdiction in anyactionto abateany privateor public nuisanceinstitutedby any personforthereasonthatsuchnuisanceconstitutesair orwaterpollution.Section 1707. Productionof materials;recordkeepingrequirements.

(a) Authority of department.—Thedepartmentand its agents andemployeesshall:

(1) Have accessto, andrequiretheproductionof, booksandpapers,documentsandphysicalevidencepertinentto anymatterunderinvestiga-tion.

(2) Requireanypersonengagedin the municipal wastemanagementor municipalwasteplanning to establishand maintainsuchrecordsandmakesuchreportsandfurnishsuchinformationas the departmentmayprescribe.

(3) Have the authorityto enterany building, property,premisesorplacewheresolid wasteis generated,stored,processed,treatedor disposedof for the purposesof making an investigationor inspectionnecessarytoascertainthecomplianceor noncomplianceby anypersonwith the provi-sionsof thisactandtheregulationspromulgatedunderthisact.In connec-tion with theinspectionor investigation,samplesmaybetakenof asolid,semisolid,liquid or containedgaseousmaterialfor analysis.If analysisismadeof thesamples,acopyof theresultsof theanalysisshallbefurnished-within five businessdaysafterreceivingthe analysisto thepersonhavingapparentauthorityoverthebuilding,property,premisesorplace.(b) Warrants.—Anagentor employeeofthedepartmentmayapplyfor a

searchwarrantto any Commonwealthofficial authorizedto issuea searchwarrantfor thepurposesof inspectingor examininganyproperty,building,premises,place,book,recordor otherphysicalevidence;of conductingtests;or of taking samplesof any solid waste.The warrantshall be issueduponprobablecause.It shall besufficient probablecauseto show any of the fol-lowing:

(1) The inspection,examination,test or samplingis pursuantto ageneraladministrativeplanto determinecompliancewith thisact.

(2) Theagentor employeehasreasonto believethataviolation of thisacthasoccurredor mayoccur.


(3) The agentor employeehasbeenrefusedaccessto the property,building, premises,place,book, recordor physicalevidenceor hasbeenpreventedfromconductingtestsor takingsamples.

Section 1708. Withholdingof Statefunds.In additionto anyotherpenaltiesprovidedin thisact, thedepartmentmay

notify theStateTreasurerto withhold paymentof all or anyportionof fundspayableto themunicipalityby thedepartmentfrom theGeneralFundor anyotherfund if the municipalityhasengagedin any unlawful conductundersection1701. Upon notification, the State Treasurershall hold in escrowsuchmoneysdueto suchmunicipalityuntil suchtimeasthedepartmentnoti-fiesthe StateTreasurerthatthemunicipalityhascompliedwith suchrequire-mentor schedule.Section1709. Collectionof fines, fees,etc.

(a) Lien.—All fines, fees, interestand penaltiesand any otherassess-mentsshallbecollectiblein anymannerprovidedby law for thecollectionofdebts.If thepersonliable to payany suchamountneglectsor refusesto paythesameafterdemand,theamount,togetherwith interestandanycoststhatmay accrue,shallbe ajudgmentin favor of the Commonwealthor thehostmunicipality,asthecasemaybe, uponthepropertyof suchperson,but onlyafter samehasbeenenteredanddocketedof recordby the prothonotaryofthe county where such property is situated.The Commonwealthor hostmunicipality, as the case may be, may at any time transmit to theprothonotariesof the respectivecounties certified copies of all suchjudgments,andit shallbethedutyof eachprothonotaryto enteranddocketthe sameof recordin his office, andto index the sameas judgmentsareindexed,without requiringthe paymentof costsasa conditionprecedenttotheentrythereof.

(b) Depositof fines.—All finescollectedpursuantto sections1704 and1705shallbepaidinto theSolid WasteAbatementFund.Section1710. Rightof citizento interveneinproceedings.

Any citizen of this Commonwealthhavingan interestwhich is or maybeadverselyaffectedshall havethe right on his own behalf, without postingbond,tointervenein anyactionbroughtpursuantto section 1703or 1704.Section 1711. Remediesof citizens.

(a) Authorityto bring civil action.—Exceptasprovidedin subsection(c),any aggrievedpersonmaycommenceacivil actiononhis ownbehalfagainstanypersonwhoisallegedto bein violation of thisact.

(b) Jurisdiction.—TheEnvironmentalHearing Board is herebygivenjurisdiction over citizen suit actionsbroughtunder this section against thedepartment.Actions againstany other personsunder this section may betakeninacourtof competentjurisdiction.Suchjurisdiction is in additiontoanyrightsof actionnowor hereafterexistingin equity,orunderthecommonlaw or statutorylaw.

(c) Notice.—Noactionmaybecommencedunderthis sectionprior to 60daysafter the plaintiff hasgivennoticeof the violation to the secretary,tothe hostmunicipalityandto anyallegedviolatorof the act,of otherenviron-mentalprotectionactsor of theregulationor orderof thedepartmentwhich

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 625

hasallegedlybeenviolated; norshall any actionbe commencedunder thissection if the secretaryhas commencedand is diligently prosecutinganadministrativeactionbeforetheEnvironmentalHearingBoard,or acivil orcriminal actionin a court of the United Statesor a stateto requirecompli-ancewith suchpermit, standard,regulation,condition,requirement,prohi-bitionor order.

(d) Award of costs.—TheEnvironmentalHearingBoard or acourt ofcompetentjurisdiction, in issuingany final orderin anyactionbroughtpur-suantto subsection(a), may awardcostsof litigation, including reasonableattorneyandexpertwitnessfees, to any party, whenevertheboardor courtdeterminessuchawardis appropriate.Section 1712. Affirmativedefense.

(a) Defense.—Itshall be an affirmative defenseto any action by thedepartmentpursuantto section1702, 1704, 1705 or 1708 and any actionbroughtpursuantto section1711 againstany municipality allegedto be inviolation of section1501 thatsuchmunicipality’s failureto comply is causedby excessivecostsof the programrequiredby section 1501.Programcostsareexcessivewhenreasonableandnecessarycostsof operatingthe programexceed income from the sale or use of collectedmaterial,grant moneyreceivedfrom the departmentpursuantto section902 andavoidedcostsofmunicipalwasteprocessingor disposal.

(b) Requirements.—Amunicipality may not assert the affirmativedefenseprovidedby thissectionif it hasfailed:

(1) To makea timely grantapplicationto the departmentpursuanttosection902.

(2) To exerciseits bestefforts to implementthe programrequiredbysection1501 for at least two yearsafter it was requiredto establishandimplementtheprogram.(c) Construction.—Nothingin this sectionshall beconstruedor under-

stood:(1) To createan affirmativedefensefor a municipality thatis alleged

to bein violation of anyprovisionof law otherthansection 1501.(2) To create an affirmative defensefor any person other thana

municipality.(3) To modify or affect existing statutoryand caselaw concerning

affirmativedefensesto departmentactions,exceptasexpresslyprovidedinsubsection(a).(d) Exemption.—Ifthe departmentapprovesarequest,the municipality

shallbeexemptfrom therequirementsof thissectionon andafter the-date-ofthedepartment’sapproval.However,themunicipalityshallimmediately-p&yto the departmentan amountequalto thedepreciatedvalueof any capitalequipment,buildings, or otherstructuresor facilities that were constructedor obtainedthroughdepartmentalgrantsundersection902. The municipal-ity shall pay to the departmentwithin five years an amountequal to thedepreciatedvalueof any capital equipmentpurchasedwith fundsprovidedby the departmentundersection902, lessanycontributionby themunicipal-ity for the purchaseof such capital equipment,or the municipality shallconveywithin 90 dayssuchcapitalequipmenttothedepartment.

626 Act 1988-101 LAWSOF PENNSYLVANIA

Section 1713. Public information.(a) Generalrule.—Exceptasprovided in subsection(b), records,reports

or otherinformationobtainedunderthis act shall beavailableto the publicfor inspectionor copyingduringregularbusinesshours.

(b) Confidentiality.—Tbe departmentmay, upon request, designaterecords,reportsor informationas confidentialwhen the personprovidingtheinformationdemonstratesall of thefollowing:

(1) Theinformationcontainsthe tradesecrets,processes,operations,styleof work or apparatusof apersonor isotherwiseconfidentialbusinessinformation.

(2) Theinformationdoesnot relateto public health,safety,welfare,or theenvironment.(c) Separationof information..—Whensubmitting information under

thisact,apersonshalldesignatetheinformationwhich thepersonbelievesisconfidentialor shallsubmitthatinformationseparatelyfrom—otherinforma-tionbeingsubmitted.Section 1714. Whistleblowerprovisions.

(a) Adverseactionprohibited.—Noemployermay discharge,threaten,or otherwisediscriminateor retaliateagainstan employeeregarding theemployee’s compensation,terms, conditions, location or privileges ofemploymentbecausethe employeemakesa good faith reportor is abouttoreport,verbally or in writing, to the employeror appropriateauthorityaninstanceof wasteor wrongdoingunderthisact.

(b) Remedies.—Theremedies,penaltiesandenforcementproceduresforviolationsof thissectionshallbeasprovidedin theactof December12, 1986(P.L.1559,No.169),knownastheWhistleblowerLaw.

(c) Definitions.—As used in this section, the following words andphrasesshallhavethemeaningsgiventothemin thissubsection:

“Appropriate authority.” A Federal,Stateor local governmentbody,agencyor organizationhavingjurisdiction over criminal law enforcement,regulatoryviolations,professionalconductor ethics,or waste;or amember,officer, agent,representativeor supervisoryemployeeof thebody,agencyororganization.Thetermincludes,but isnot limited to, theOfficeof AttorneyGeneral,the Departmentof the Auditor General,theTreasuryDepartment,theGeneralAssemblyandcommitteesof the GeneralAssemblyhavingthepowerandduty to investigatecriminal law enforcement,regulatoryviola-tions,professionalconductor ethics,or waste.

“Employee.” A personwhoperformsaservicefor wagesor otherremu-nerationunderacontractof hire,written or oral, expressor implied, for anemployer,whetheror nottheemployerisapublicbody.

“Employer.” A personsupervisingone or moreemployees,includingthe employeein question;a superiorof that supervisor;or an agentof apublicbody.

“Good faith report.” A report of conductdefinedin this actas wrong-doing or waste which is madewithout malice or considerationof personalbenefit and which the personmaking the reporthas reasonablecausetobelieve is true.

SESSIONOF 1988 Act 1988-101 627

“Public body.” All of thefollowing:(1) A State officer, agency, department,division, bureau, board,

commission,council, authorityor otherbody in the executivebranchofStategovernment.

(2) A county,city, township,regionalgoverningbody,council, schooldistrict, specialdistrict or municipalcorporation,or aboard,department,commission,councilor agency.

(3) Any otherbody which is createdby Commonwealthor politicalsubdivisionauthority or which is funded in any amountby or throughCommonwealth or political subdivision authority or a member oremployeeof thatbody.“Waste.” An employer’sconductor omissionswhich resultin substan-

tial abuse,misuse,destructionor lossof fundsor resourcesbelongingto orderivedfrom Commonwealthor political subdivisionsources.

“Whistleblower.” A personwhowitnessesor hasevidenceof wrongdo-ing or waste while employedand who makesa good faith report of thewrongdoingor waste,verballyor in writing, to oneof theperson’ssuperiors,toanagentof theemployeror to anappropriateauthority.

“Wrongdoing.” A violation which is not of a merely technical orminimal natureof aFederalor Statestatuteor regulation,of apoliticalsub-division ordinanceor regulationor of acodeof conductor ethicsdesignedtoprotecttheinterestof thepublicor theemployer.Section1715. Additionalpenalties.

(a) Vehicle forfeiture.—Any vehicleor conveyanceusedfor transporta-tion or disposalof solid waste in the commissionof an offense undersection610(1)of the Solid WasteManagementAct shallbe deemedcontra-bandandforfeited to the department.The provisionsof law relatingto theseizure,summaryandjudicial forfeiture, andcondemnationof intoxicatingliquor shall apply to seizuresand forfeitures under this section.Proceedsfrom the sale of forfeitedvehiclesor conveyancesshall be depositedin theSolidWasteAbatementFund.

(b) Responsibilityfor cost.—Theoperatorof anyvehicleor conveyanceforfeitedundersubsection(a) shall be responsiblefor any costsincurredinproperlydisposingof wastein thevehicleor conveyance.

CHAPTER 19MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section1901. Reportto GeneralAssembly.The Secretaryof EnvironmentalResourcesshall preparea report to the

GeneralAssemblyconcerningtheimplementationof this actandthesuccessof countyandmunicipalrecyclingprograms.Thisreport shallbetransmittedto the GeneralAssemblyno later thanApril 1, 1991, andshall be revised,andmodifiedif necessary,atleastonceeverythreeyearsthereafter.Section 1902. Severability.

The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or itsapplicationto any personor circumstanceis heldinvalid, the invalidity shallnot affect other provisionsor applicationsof this act which can be giveneffectwithout theinvalid provisionor application.


Section 1903. Repeals.(a) Absoluterepeals.—Thelast sentencein section201(b), section201(f)

through(1) andsections202and 203 of the actof July 7, 1980 (P.L.380,No.97),knownastheSolidWasteManagementAct, arerepealed.

(b) Inconsistentrepeals.—(1) Exceptasprovided In section501(b)of this act, the first through

fourthsentencesof section201(b)andsection201(c), (d)and(e) of theactof July 7, 1980(P.L.380,No.97),knownasthe Solid WasteManagementAct, arerepealedinsofarastheyareinconsistentwith thisact.

(2) All actsandpartsof actsinconsistentwith section1505areherebyrepealedtotheextentof theinconsistency.(c) Effect of repealers.—All orders, permits, licenses,decisions and

actionsof the departmentunderthe repealedprovisionsof the Solid WasteManagementAct, including technical or preliminary approvals of solidwastemanagementplans,shall remainin effect unlessanduntil modified,repealed,suspended,supersededor otherwisechangedunder the termsofthisactandtheregulationspromulgatedunderthisact.Section 1904. Effectivedate.

Thisactshalltakeeffectasfollows:(1) Theprovisionsof Chapters7 and9shalltakeeffectin 90days.(2) Theremainderof thisactshalltakeeffect in 60days.

APPROVED—The28thdayof July, A. D. 1988.

ROBERTP. CASEY

act 1988-101 lawsofpennsylvania no. 1988- · pdf file556 act 1988-101 lawsofpennsylvania sb...

Documents