Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that amends regulations for hazardous waste in underground storage tanks in California.

Highlights:

• Requires certain treatments to hazardous waste [water, sludges, soil] produced by inorganic and organic components (Sec. 1)

• Defines laboratory as a workplace with small quantities of hazardous chemicals (Sec. 2)

• Defines laboratory hazardous waste as waste generated by chemical procedures (Sec. 2)

• Authorizes 55 gallons of laboratory hazardous waste can be accumulated onsite (Sec. 2)

• Specifies that the accumulation area is managed by trained employees

• Authorizes the treatment of onsite laboratory hazardous waste without a permit if conditions are met (25200.3.1 Sec. 2)

• Specifies that a hazardous waste facilities permit or other grant of authorization is not required for the treatment of laboratory hazardous waste generated onsite if, among other things, the laboratory hazardous waste is treated in containers using specified procedures and quantities for treatment of laboratory waste, as provided (Sec. 2-4).

• Specifies that if those specified procedures do not exist, the bill would authorize the use of the manufacturer’s written procedures if they are not in conflict with applicable rules or regulations (Sec. 2-4).

• Requires generators of hazardous waste to provide various notifications and certifications regarding compliance to the department, and to other specified entities, in person, or by certified mail, as provided (Sec. 2-4).

• Authorizes those notifications and certifications to be made into the statewide information management system (Sec. 2-4).

• Requires the regulation of underground storage tanks by the State Water Resources Control Board and defines “underground storage tank” for those purposes. Existing law excludes certain tanks from the definition of “underground storage tank,” including, but not limited to, a tank holding hydraulic fluid for a closed-loop mechanical system that uses compressed air or hydraulic fluid to operate lifts, elevators, and other similar devices (Sec. 2-4).

• Repeals and excludes from that definition a tank holding hydraulic fluid or dielectric fluid for a closed-loop mechanical system that uses compressed air, hydraulic fluid, or dielectric fluid to operate lifts, to operate elevators, to act as an electric cooling or insulation system, and other similar devices (Sec. 2-4).

Full Bill Text