Pennsylvania Legislation Calls for Review of Beneficial Uses of Biosolids

PA HR.426 was referred to the Committee on Environmental Resources and Energy on September 3, 2013.  The bill calls for the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to undertake  a comprehensive review of the beneficial use of biosolids by land application and prepare a report within one year of enactment of the legislation that will identify:

• Methods currently used for biosolids use and disposal in this Commonwealth;
• Costs involved with current methods of biosolids use and disposal;
• Methods used to administer and enforce the program established under 25 Pa. Code Ch. 271 Subch. J (relating to beneficial use of sewage sludge by land application) by the Department of Environmental Protection; and
• All appropriate alternatives to current use and disposal methods employed in this Commonwealth and in other states, particularly in regard to their economic feasibility and effects on the environment and on public health in comparison to current use and disposal methods.