Advocacy News – Sept. 26, 2024
What’s new: After building out advocacy coalition efforts voicing concern about a bill that would effectively ban the landfilling of low level radioactive waste in the state, the MI Chamber was able to claim a short term victory by preventing the bill from seeing a vote in the House of Representatives. House Bill 5923 was introduced last week and would prohibit the disposal of technically enhanced, naturally occurring radioactive material, or TENORM. While it was expected to be voted on as early as next week by the House, the MI Chamber was able to work with several democratic lawmakers to question why this bill was good for Michigan’s economy.
- Tenorm is a material shown to have little to no public health risk. For many companies it is a common, even everyday waste stream and byproduct of manufacturing.
The impact: Automotive companies, municipal utilities, wastewater treatment plants, paper mills, and healthcare industries would all be impacted under this legislation — but it is unclear as to the number of industries affected, and the additional costs they would incur.
Why it matters: Michigan has robust rules and regulations covering the handling and disposal of TENORM. Without the ability to landfill TENORM within the state, the material would have to be trucked to states like Ohio or Indiana, but in some cases depending on the material content, may have to go as far away as Utah.
What’s next: This week the House held its single day of voting before the election. While this bill is unlikely to be active again until Lame Duck season, MI Chamber will plan to push back on this short-sighted policy during that time.
- A patchwork approach to regulating specific materials, as opposed to a better comprehensive approach to material management, is the most appropriate approach to ensure safe and sustainable regulation of waste in the state.
- It is also unclear as to whether such a prohibition is legal, as it may run in conflict with the Interstate Commerce Clause.
Feedback needed: Share your thoughts on this legislation with Mike Alaimo.