Bill > SB1274

This bill makes several technical amendments to Tennessee's environmental regulations, primarily focusing on fee structures and coal combustion residuals (CCR) disposal. The bill defines coal combustion residuals as waste materials generated from burning coal for electricity production, and establishes a new definition for coal combustion residuals disposal units, which includes landfills and surface impoundments used for storing or processing these materials. It adjusts fee-setting authority for various environmental programs, including increasing a specific fee from $18.75 to $38.00 and modifying fee structures for solid waste landfill permits. For coal ash disposal, the bill requires that new disposal facilities include a liner and final cap, while providing exceptions for certain agricultural, engineered, and alternative uses of coal ash. The legislation also allows the state department to recover its direct and indirect costs associated with regulating CCR disposal units, with the caveat that these costs must be subject to an annual cap and cannot duplicate existing fee assessments. Additionally, the bill adjusts funding allocations for the division of mineral and geologic resources, specifying that 58% of its funding will come from environmental protection fees and 42% from state appropriations. The changes aim to provide more precise regulatory oversight and cost recovery mechanisms for environmental programs, particularly those related to coal waste management.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1274&ga=114