Existing law tasks the Department of Toxic Substances Control with the responsibility to regulate the handling and management of hazardous waste. Existing law establishes in the department the Board of Environmental Safety, consisting of 5 voting members, as provided. Existing law charges the board with setting specified hazardous waste-related fees, hearing and deciding appeals of hazardous waste facility permit decisions, and providing opportunities for public hearings on individual permitted or remediation sites, among other responsibilities.

This bill would require the board to contract with an entity that has expertise in remediating contaminated sites for the purpose of reviewing the department’s residential cleanup near the former Exide Technologies lead-acid battery recycling facility in the City of Vernon. The bill would require the contractor to use only existing data in its review, but, if necessary, the bill would authorize the contractor to take, review, and analyze limited samples. The bill would require the contractor to meet with members of the community to hear comments or concerns about the cleanup and provide its findings to the board, as specified. The bill would require the board to post the contractor’s findings on the board’s internet website.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the former Exide Technologies lead-acid battery recycling facility in the City of Vernon.