SPONSOR: Schwadron
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 17 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Legislative Oversight by a vote of 10 to 0.
Currently, facilities designed to incinerate solid waste must provide a health and safety buffer of at least 50 feet from a facility located in a nonresidential area in St. Louis City and at least 300 feet from a facility anywhere else in the state.
This bill expands the buffer requirements to all commercial solid waste processing facilities and to at least 500 feet from the facility anywhere except in a nonresidential area of St. Louis City.
This bill is similar to HB 1727 (2018).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill would increase the restrictions for waste transfer stations in residential areas protecting home values and reducing noise in neighborhoods.
Testifying for the bill was Representative Schwadron. Additional written testimony was submitted in support of the bill.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that although no one wants a waste transfer station in their neighborhood, such stations are a necessity for solid waste operations. The Department of Natural Resources has the expertise in the regulation of these facilities and should have the authority to set the buffer distance.
Testifying against the bill were Sonny's Solid Waste and Presido Environmental Company, Incorporated.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill answered committee questions and clarified that when a permit is issued, encroachment by other buildings after the facility is built is not a valid reason to revoke a permit.
Testifying on the bill was the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: