The efforts of one Oklahoma legislator to ban the use of Humanure as fertilizer in the state are being blocked in a House Committee.
“I received word yesterday that my bill calling for a ban on the application of Humanure as fertilizer in the state of Oklahoma, HB 1726, will not be heard in committee. The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Kenton Patzkowsky, has informed me that it is not his intention to set it for a hearing,” wrote Rep. Jim Shaw, Chandler, in a recent Facebook post.
The bill would ban sludge generated from a municipal, commercial, or industrial wastewater treatment plant. It also targets PFAS or those known as “forever chemicals.”
“Pursuant to subsection B of this section, any actions after
the effective date of this act, resulting in future contamination
from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS or PFOAS), from land application of biosolids, sewage sludge, or septage, shall be civilly liable to this state and to the people of Oklahoma for costs arising from releases of PFAS or PFOAS to the environment from noncompliance to this act.”
the effective date of this act, resulting in future contamination
from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS or PFOAS), from land application of biosolids, sewage sludge, or septage, shall be civilly liable to this state and to the people of Oklahoma for costs arising from releases of PFAS or PFOAS to the environment from noncompliance to this act.”
It’s not Shaw’s only environmental and renewable energy bill to face the same fate. The Representative, who had a stunning win last year over longtime legislator Kevin Wallace, told OK Energy Today, “I haven’t had any bills heard in committee.”
Among them are his green energy bills.
HB1450 – moratorium on industrial wind and solar.
“The Energy Committee chair, Nick Archer, said he would not hear any moratorium bills.”
HB1451 – adds more setbacks for industrial wind and establishes setbacks for industrial solar.
“Chairman Archer had a handful of us with setback bills come together to consolidate into a single bill. The result will likely not be strong enough for me to co-author.”
HB1452 – establishes a tax on industrial wind and solar companies equivalent to the federal subsidy amount they’re entitled to.
“Chairman Ty Burns has not indicated if he will hear this or not.”
“I will continue to push for the policy language I know best represents my district and the citizens of our state,” declared Rep. Shaw.
“Bills still have to be heard in oversight committees and on the house floor before traveling over to the Senate.”