Court Thwarts Sierra Club's Radioactive Waste Challenge “A state appeals court has thwarted a challenge to a low-level radioactive waste disposal site in West Texas – a ruling that signals growing difficulties for those trying to scrutinize the decisions of Texas environmental regulators. Depending on whom you ask, such a trend would either rightly save companies time and money or unjustly bar citizens from fully sharing their environmental concerns. The site, a 36-acre facility in Andrews County operated by Waste Control Specialists — a company formerly owned by the late Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons — is the final resting place for hazardous waste and slightly radioactive items from shuttered nuclear reactors and hospitals, among other places.” (The Texas Tribune)

Senators Seek To Curb EPA Authority On Mine Waste Disposal “A pair of senators have introduced legislation that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from using its authority to preemptively block or to revoke permits for mine waste disposal. The move has roiled those in Alaska who want EPA to use this authority to block a massive copper and gold mine that could put a major salmon fishery at risk. The bill, from Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), would limit the time period in which the EPA can deny permits. It would preclude the agency from invoking its authority under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act to protect certain areas before a company has formally applied for a permit, and would also prevent the agency from revoking a permit once it has been issued.” (Huffington Post)

Radioactive Waste Is North Dakota's New Shale Problem “The two recent incidents show that North Dakota's regulators have been slow to address repercussions from the surge in crude output, ranging from widespread flaring of natural gas at oil wells to drill rigs popping up on historic lands. Most of the radioactive material in oil socks comes from silt filtered in the process of pumping waste water down injection wells. Radium, found in soil, rock and water, accumulates in the filtered silt.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Plastic Bag Bill Dies Again in Tallahassee “A perennial effort to reduce the amount of plastic bags being produced and thrown into landfills stalled last week, and supporters will have to wait and try again next year. A bill that would have allowed local governments to ban plastic bags, while assessing a small charge to buyers who used paper ones provided by the store was pulled and will not see the floor in 2014. Under SB 830, local governments would have been empowered to prohibit stores from using plastic bags at all, while charging shoppers who opted for paper bags 10 cents per bag.” (The Bradenton Times)

Willmar County, Minn., pursues pilot project to purify landfill leachate “filter system that could clean the water that seeps out the bottom of mounds of garbage will be tested at the Kandiyohi County landfill this summer.  If the two-week test shows the water –– called leachate –– can be cleaned to meet Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards and proves that the process will save the county money, a permanent system could be installed at the landfill. If it is, it will be the first of its kind used at a landfill in the United States.” (West Central Tribune)

Delray considers settlement in Waste Management lawsuit “Just because Delray won its legal battle against Waste Management, which could potentially lead to money saving results for residents, doesn't mean city officials want to stop working with the company completely. On Wednesday night, commissioners will consider a settlement that will allow residents' garbage to be picked up by Waste Management through Dec. 31…. But that doesn't mean Waste Management will keep its current deal with the city, either. If commissioners support the proposed settlement, they will send the trash pick up provider contract out to bid at some point soon to see if they can save residents some money.” (Sun Sentinel)

DEQ green lights Louisiana Land Acquisitions' plan to build industrial waste landfill in north Baton Rouge “The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is giving Louisiana Land Acquisitions LLC permission to open an industrial solid waste landfill just south of the city-parish landfill. The landfill will be built on the north side of Brooklawn Drive, about two miles west of Scenic Highway. DEQ’s move, however, comes with backlash from local officials, as they have made clear that they are against LLA coming in to build another landfill.” (NOLA.com)

Medina County cities want to help operate county recycling facility “Brunswick, Medina and Wadsworth sanitation officials want in on the proposal to have government take over operation of the Medina County Recycling Center. Currently, Envision Waste Services employs 72 people to operate the plant off Lake Road near Interstate 71 and U.S. 224 in Westfield Township. Envision receives nearly all of the plant's revenue -- $800,000 to $1 million a year.” (Cleveland.com)

Shingle recycling plant opens in Wisconsin “The Manitowoc County Shingle Recycling Site has opened in mid-April 2014. The facility is located at the Manitowoc County Highway Shop Quarry in Manitowoc, Wis. Incoming loads of roofing material will be weighed and charged on a per ton basis. Shingles processed at the site will be sorted, cleaned, and recycled into asphalt for road projects.” (CDRecycler.com)