Connecticut House Bill HB05442

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/15
• Refer: 1/15/15

Caption

An Act Concerning Fees For Waste-to-energy Facilities.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would have significant financial implications for waste-to-energy facilities, as they would be obligated to contribute a portion of their revenues to local governments. This revenue is intended to support municipal services and infrastructure, which may be impacted by the presence of such facilities. Supporters of the bill argue that it will provide municipalities with necessary funds to address local concerns related to waste management and environmental impacts associated with waste-to-energy operations.

Summary

House Bill 05442, introduced by Representative Betts, aims to amend the general statutes concerning waste-to-energy facilities. The bill specifically requires privately owned waste-to-energy facilities to pay a host fee to the municipality in which they are located. This fee is stipulated to be no less than four percent of the per-ton tipping fee for solid waste that the facility receives. The intent behind this legislation is to create a fair allocation of fees to municipalities that bear the impact of waste-to-energy operations in their areas.

Contention

The bill may encounter opposition from waste-to-energy facility operators who might argue that the host fee could place a financial burden on their operations. They may contend that such fees could ultimately lead to increased costs for waste disposal, which could be passed on to consumers. Furthermore, there could be a debate regarding the equitable percentage set for the host fee, with various stakeholders advocating for different rates based on operational costs and local economic conditions.