HB534 Alabama 2012 Session

Currently, there is no specific provision requiring the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to perform a statewide risk assessment of counties to reduce the amount of toxic waste in environmental high impact areas

This bill would require the department to identify environmental high impact areas on a county basis and compile data regarding toxic pollutants released into the environment, and publish for public comment certain assessment methods and calculations for releases of toxic chemicals

The bill would require the State Health Officer to issue a public report on the incidences of diseases, based on counties, which assesses health risks posed by releases of toxic substances

The director of the department would provide grants to monitor and respond to adverse health risks identified by the county assessment, and would be authorized to hold public hearings

The department would be required to adopt regulations to require the preparation of community impact statements by independent contractors as a part of the permitting process for any new or expanded facility that handles toxic pollutants and set certain criteria for community impact statements regarding types of chemicals, projected negative effects, alternatives for mitigating negative health impact, and community demographics

The bill would create the Community-Based Environmental Cleanup, Health Testing and Remediation Trust Fund and a special loan program for remediation projects

The bill would authorize community environmental resource centers and local programs of independent experts to conduct monitoring of local facilities to insure compliance with state and federal laws

The bill would prohibit the permitting of any new facility handling toxic pollutants within iles of any such existing facility, unless waived based on certain local considerations

The bill would provide for a moratorium against new facilities in high impact areas, unless waived

Community impact study grants and special insurance programs would be available for high impact areas. The department would be required to assist local communities to enter clawback agreements to reimburse incentives under certain conditions

Relating to the environment; providing for the reduction of toxic waste in environmental high impact areas; requiring risk assessments by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management; providing for technical assistance and authorizing rulemaking; requiring the State Health Officer to issue a report, based on counties, of serious documented diseases, assessments of health risks posed by toxic substances and acceptable reduced levels of such substances; creating certain funds, programs, grants and assistance by the department to help high-risk areas remediate health hazards; prohibiting new facilities in certain areas; establishing community impact statements by independent contracts; authorizing local resource centers and programs for monitoring local facilities for compliance; prohibiting certain new facilities handling toxic substances; and assisting local entities to enter reimbursement of incentive agreements.