Bill > HB5541

This bill amends the Environmental Protection Act to update regulations concerning organic waste composting and anaerobic digestion, which is a process where microorganisms break down organic material without oxygen to produce biogas (an energy-rich gas) and digestate (the resulting solid and liquid products). It introduces new definitions for "anaerobic digestion," "biogas," "digestate," "food waste" (defined as garbage), "organic material" (carbon-based material from living organisms), and "organic waste" (organic material that is considered waste), while also updating definitions for "compost" and "composting" (now specifically referring to aerobic decomposition). The bill creates exemptions for certain composting and anaerobic digestion facilities from pollution control facility regulations if they meet specific siting, setback, floodplain, and operational requirements. It also establishes permitting requirements for organic waste composting and anaerobic digestion operations, with exemptions for small-scale operations and certain farm-based composting that adhere to volume limits and environmental safeguards. Furthermore, anaerobic digesters using only non-waste materials are exempt from solid waste permitting, and digested material returned to the economy is not regulated as waste. The Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to recommend, and the Pollution Control Board to adopt, performance standards for organic waste compost facilities and testing procedures for the final compost product, with a Technical Advisory Committee to assist in this process; these standards will apply to compost offered for sale or use, but not to residential composting.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=5541&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104