Steel manufacturing byproduct use advanced

Senators gave first-round approval March 21 to a bill regarding solid waste under the Environmental Protection Act.

LB203, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Jim Scheer, would exclude slag from being considered solid waste under Nebraska’s Environmental Protection Act. Scheer said slag is a valuable byproduct of steel manufacturing and should not be considered waste.

“Slag is a defined product, made to a certain standard,” he said.

Wahoo Sen. Jerry Johnson supported the bill, comparing slag to coal ash, another manufacturing byproduct.

“There is a lot of value to these byproducts,” Johnson said. “They’re not solid waste and should not be classified that way.”

Bancroft Sen. Lydia Brasch also supported the bill.

“Slag looks a lot like steel gravel and has great potential for roads use,” she said.

Senators adopted a Natural Resources Committee amendment 42-0 to make technical improvements to the bill. The bill then advanced to select file on a 40-0 vote.