SRC-HRD S.B. 1588 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1588
By: Haywood
Natural Resources
4-2-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Waste Reduction Policy Act of 1991 does not apply to any
energy production facility regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed adding electric
utilities to the list of facilities subject to Section 313, Title III,
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.  If that occurs,
state law would require these facilities to prepare a source reduction and
waste minimization plan whether they are generating any hazardous waste or
not.  These plans would be in addition to the federal planning
requirements under Pollution Prevention Act of 1990.  This bill would
change certain reporting requirements to prevent the requirements from
being duplicative or redundant of existing federal requirements. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1588 sets forth provision relating to source reduction
and waste minization plans for electrical energy production and
transmission. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 361.504, Health and Safety Code, to provide that
except as provided by Subsection (b), this subchapter applies to the
following persons:  facilities, rather than persons, subject to Section
313, Title III, Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
(U.S.C. Section 11023), excluding Standard Industrial Classification Code
49, whose releases exceed the levels established under Section 361.503(b).

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.