Solid waste disposal fee increased

A fee increase on landfill operators will help cover Nebraska’s superfund site cleanup costs under a bill passed by lawmakers March 13.

LB247, introduced by Niobrara Sen. Barry DeKay, increases the fee from $1.25 to $2.34 per ton of solid waste, six cubic yards of uncompacted solid waste or three cubic yards of compacted solid waste.

The bill directs 65% of the fees to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Cash Fund, with the remainder going to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Fund.

Under the bill, the solid waste fund — which is used to cover the costs of responding to spills or other environmental emergencies — also may be used to provide cost share, operation and maintenance for remediation of federal superfund sites.

In addition to the fee increase, LB247 repeals a provision allowing the Legislature to direct transfers from the Petroleum Release Remedial Action Cash Fund to the Superfund Cost Share Cash Fund.

LB247 passed on a vote of 44-2 and takes effect immediately.