ATLANTA – State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) recently participated in a legislative panel discussion that focused on recent changes to Georgia’s Solid Waste Management Act.
“I was honored to be a panelist in the forum,” said Rep. Smith. “There is no silver bullet to fix all of the issues facing the state, but these pieces of legislation are steps in the right direction that will directly benefit numerous industries and local governments within Georgia.”
Held on June 30, 2011 and sponsored by the Georgia Recycling Coalition, the event featured a legislative panel discussion that explained how new solid waste laws passed during the 2011 Legislative Session will impact Georgia’s environment, economy, and communities. As a member of this panel, Rep. Smith led educational discussions on House Bill 274 and Senate Bill 157. Both pieces of legislation were studied by the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Smith.
HB 274 allows for disposal of yard trimmings into municipal solid waste landfills with approved methane gas capture systems that provide beneficial reuse in promoting renewable energy goals. This will give local governments the opportunity to use methane gas trapped by qualified landfills to meet renewable energy goals, such as electrical power generation, industrial end use, or similar beneficial use.
SB 157 helps local governments that do not maintain a landfill by making it optional, instead of mandatory, for cities and counties to file annual reports concerning the status of solid waste management in their respective jurisdictions to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). This reporting process includes significant costs, so removal of the requirement will also help struggling cities and counties balance their budgets without resorting to tax increases. However, the legislation still ensures proper oversight of waste management by requiring public and private landfill owners to report the status of solid waste management to DCA annually.
Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Coweta and Heard counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1996, and is currently the Chairman of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, and Rules committees. For more information about Rep. Smith, please visit her official Facebook fan page at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/State-Rep-Lynn-Smith-R-70/62557803511.
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