Maryland House Bill HB1193

Maryland 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/8/24
• Refer: 2/8/24

Caption

Environment - Coal Combustion By-Products

Impact

The bill has significant implications for state environmental laws by setting stringent requirements for the monitoring and reporting of CCBs. Specific provisions include the establishment of permanent replacement water supplies for residences that could be impacted by contaminated drinking water due to CCB units. This could lead to more rigorous enforcement of water quality standards and increased accountability for facilities managing coal waste. The establishment of a community advisory council is also an important step toward involving local stakeholders in the decision-making processes concerning CCB impacts on their neighborhoods.

Summary

House Bill 1193 aims to regulate coal combustion by-products (CCB) within the state, focusing on their environmental impact. The bill requires the owners or operators of facilities that produce CCB to submit regular reports and plans to the Department of the Environment and other relevant agencies. It mandates conducting drinking water surveys and establishes protocols for sampling and water quality analyses near CCB units. This legislation reflects a legislative response to growing concerns regarding the safety of groundwater and residential water supplies potentially affected by coal combustion processes.

Contention

While proponents argue that HB 1193 is essential for protecting public health and the environment, there may be concerns around the implementation costs and regulatory burdens it places on coal plants. Increased operational requirements can lead to challenges for smaller facilities that might lack the resources to comply. Additionally, the requirement for public engagement through the advisory council could provoke discussions about local governance and stakeholder representation in environmental policy decisions.