§ 6982 — Special Studies; Plans For Research, Development, And Demonstrations

(a) The Administrator shall undertake a study and publish a report on resource recovery from glass and plastic waste, including a scientific, technological, and economic investigation of potential solutions to implement such recovery. (b) The Administrator shall undertake a systematic study of the composition of the solid waste stream and of anticipated future changes in the composition of such stream and shall publish a report containing the results of such study and quantitatively evaluating the potential utility of such components. (c) For purposes of determining priorities for research on recovery of materials and energy from solid waste and developing materials and energy recovery research, development, and demonstration strategies, the Administrator shall review, and make a study of, the various existing and promising techniques of energy recovery from solid waste (including, but not limited to, waterwall furnace incinerators, dry shredded fuel systems, pyrolysis, densified refuse-derived fuel systems, anerobic digestion, and fuel and feedstock preparation systems). In carrying out such study the Administrator shall investigate with respect to each such technique— (1) the degree of public need for the potential results of such research, development, or demonstration, (2) the potential for research, development, and demonstration without Federal action, including the degree of restraint on such potential posed by the risks involved, and (3) the magnitude of effort and period of time necessary to develop the technology to the point where Federal assistance can be ended. (d) The Administrator shall undertake a comprehensive study and analysis of, and publish a report on, systems of small-scale and low technology solid waste management, including household resource recovery and resource recovery systems which have special application to multiple dwelling units and high density housing and office complexes. Such study and analysis shall include an investigation of the degree to which such systems could contribute to energy conservation. (e) The Administrator shall undertake research and studies concerning the compatibility of front-end source separation systems with high technology resource recovery systems and shall publish a report containing the results of such research and studies. (f) The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall conduct a detailed and comprehensive study on the adverse effects of solid wastes from active and abandoned surface and underground mines on the environment, including, but not limited to, the effects of such wastes on humans, water, air, health, welfare, and natural resources, and on the adequacy of means and measures currently employed by the mining industry, Government agencies, and others to dispose of and utilize such solid wastes and to prevent or substantially mitigate such adverse effects. Such study shall include an analysis of— (1) the sources and volume of discarded material generated per year from mining; (2) present disposal practices; (3) potential dangers to human health and the environment from surface runoff of leachate and air pollution by dust; (4) alternatives to current disposal methods; (5) the cost of those alternatives in terms of the impact on mine product costs; and (6) potential for use of discarded material as a secondary source of the mine product. (g) The Administrator shall undertake a comprehensive study and publish a report on sludge. Such study shall include an analysis of— (1) what types of solid waste (including but not limited to sewage and pollution treatment residues and other residues from industrial operations such as extraction of oil from shale, liquefaction and gasification of coal and coal slurry pipeline operations) shall be classified as sludge; (2) the effects of air and water pollution legislation on the creation of large volumes of sludge; (3) the amounts of sludge originating in each State and in each industry producing sludge; (4) methods of disposal of such sludge, including the cost, efficiency, and effectiveness of such methods; (5) alternative methods for the use of sludge, including agricultural applications of sludge and energy recovery from sludge; and (6) methods to reclaim areas which have been used for the disposal of sludge or which have been damaged by sludge. (h) The Administrator shall undertake a study and publish a report respecting discarded motor vehicle tires which shall include an analysis of the problems involved in the collection, recovery of resources including energy, and use of such tires. (i) The Administrator shall conduct research and report on the economics of, and impediments, to the effective functioning of resource recovery facilities. (1) The Administrator shall serve as Chairman of a Committee composed of himself, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, the Secretary of Treasury, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, and a representative of the Office of Management and Budget, which shall conduct a full and complete investigation and study of all aspects of the economic, social, and environmental consequences of resource conservation with respect to— (A) the appropriateness of recommended incentives and disincentives to foster resource conservation; (B) the effect of existing public policies (including subsidies and economic incentives and disincentives, percentage depletion allowances, capital gains treatment and other tax incentives and disincentives) upon resource conservation, and the likely effect of the modification or elimination of such incentives and disincentives upon resource conservation; (C) the appropriateness and feasibility of restricting the manufacture or use of categories of consumer products as a resource conservation strategy; (D) the appropriateness and feasibility of employing as a resource conservation strategy the imposition of solid waste management charges on consumer products, which charges would reflect the costs of solid waste management services, litter pickup, the value of recoverable components of such product, final disposal, and any social value associated with the nonrecycling or uncontrolled disposal of such product; and (E) the need for further research, development, and demonstration in the area of resource conservation. (2) The study required in paragraph (1)(D) may include pilot scale projects, and shall consider and evaluate alternative strategies with respect to— (A) the product categories on which such charges would be imposed; (B) the appropriate state in the production of such consumer product at which to levy such charge; (C) appropriate criteria for establishing such charges for each consumer product category; (D) methods for the adjustment of such charges to reflect actions such as recycling which would reduce the overall quantities of solid waste requiring disposal; and (E) procedures for amending, modifying, or revising such charges to reflect changing conditions. (3) The design for the study required in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include timetables for the completion of the study. A preliminary report putting forth the study design shall be sent to the President and the Congress within six months following October 21, 1976, and followup reports shall be sent six months thereafter. Each recommendation resulting from the study shall include at least two alternatives to the proposed recommendation. (4) The results of such investigation and study, including recommendations, shall be reported to the President and the Congress not later than two years after October 21, 1976. (5) There are authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $2,000,000 to carry out this subsection. (k) The Administrator shall undertake a comprehensive study and analysis of and publish a report on systems to alleviate the hazards to aviation from birds congregating and feeding on landfills in the vicinity of airports. (l) The Administrator shall complete the research and studies, and submit the reports, required under subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (k) not later than October 1, 1978. The Administrator shall complete the research and studies, and submit the reports, required under subsections (a), (h), and (i) not later than October 1, 1979. Upon completion, each study specified in subsections (a) through (k) of this section, the Administrator shall prepare a plan for research, development, and demonstration respecting the findings of the study and shall submit any legislative recommendations resulting from such study to appropriate committees of Congress. (1) The Administrator shall conduct a detailed and comprehensive study and submit a report on the adverse effects, if any, of drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil or natural gas or geothermal energy on human health and the environment, including, but not limited to, the effects of such wastes on humans, water, air, health, welfare, and natural resources and on the adequacy of means and measures currently employed by the oil and gas and geothermal drilling and production industry, Government agencies, and others to dispose of and utilize such wastes and to prevent or substantially mitigate such adverse effects. Such study shall include an analysis of— (A) the sources and volume of discarded material generated per year from such wastes; (B) present disposal practices; (C) potential danger to human health and the environment from the surface runoff or leachate; (D) documented cases which prove or have caused danger to human health and the environment from surface runoff or leachate; (E) alternatives to current disposal methods; (F) the cost of such alternatives; and (G) the impact of those alternatives on the exploration for, and development and production of, crude oil and natural gas or geothermal energy. (2) The Administrator shall complete the research and study and submit the report required under paragraph (1) not later than twenty-four months from October 21, 1980. Upon completion of the study, the Administrator shall prepare a summary of the findings of the study, a plan for research, development, and demonstration respecting the findings of the study, and shall submit the findings and the study, along with any recommendations resulting from such study, to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the United States Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the United States House of Representatives. (3) There are authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $1,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this subsection. (n) The Administrator shall conduct a detailed and comprehensive study and submit a report on the adverse effects on human health and the environment, if any, of the disposal and utilization of fly ash waste, bottom ash waste, slag waste, flue gas emission control waste, and other byproduct materials generated primarily from the combustion of coal or other fossil fuels. Such study shall include an analysis of— (1) the source and volumes of such material generated per year; (2) present disposal and utilization practices; (3) potential danger, if any, to human health and the environment from the disposal and reuse of such materials; (4) documented cases in which danger to human health or the environment from surface runoff or leachate has been proved; (5) alternatives to current disposal methods; (6) the costs of such alternatives; (7) the impact of those alternatives on the use of coal and other natural resources; and (8) the current and potential utilization of such materials. (o) The Administrator shall conduct a detailed and comprehensive study of the adverse effects on human health and the environment, if any, of the disposal of cement kiln dust waste. Such study shall include an analysis of— (1) the source and volumes of such materials generated per year; (2) present disposal practices; (3) potential danger, if any, to human health and the environment from the disposal of such materials; (4) documented cases in which danger to human health or the environment has been proved; (5) alternatives to current disposal methods; (6) the costs of such alternatives; (7) the impact of those alternatives on the use of natural resources; and (8) the current and potential utilization of such materials. (p) The Administrator shall conduct a detailed and comprehensive study on the adverse effects on human health and the environment, if any, of the disposal and utilization of solid waste from the extraction, beneficiation, and processing of ores and minerals, including phosphate rock and overburden from uranium mining. Such study shall be conducted in conjunction with the study of mining wastes required by subsection (f) of this section and shall include an analysis of— (1) the source and volumes of such materials generated per year; (2) present disposal and utilization practices; (3) potential danger, if any, to human health and the environment from the disposal and reuse of such materials; (4) documented cases in which danger to human health or the environment has been proved; (5) alternatives to current disposal methods; (6) the costs of such alternatives; (7) the impact of those alternatives on the use of phosphate rock and uranium ore, and other natural resources; and (8) the current and potential utilization of such materials. (q) There are authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $8,000,000 for the fiscal years 1978 and 1979 to carry out this section other than subsection (j). (r) The Administrator shall compile, and not later than October 1, 1986, submit to the Congress, a report on the feasibility and desirability of establishing standards of performance or of taking other additional actions under this chapter to require the generators of hazardous waste to reduce the volume or quantity and toxicity of the hazardous waste they generate, and of establishing with respect to hazardous wastes required management practices or other requirements to assure such wastes are managed in ways that minimize present and future risks to human health and the environment. Such report shall include any recommendations for legislative changes which the Administrator determines are feasible and desirable to implement the national policy established by section 6902 of this title. (s) The Administrator shall conduct detailed, comprehensive studies of methods to extend the useful life of sanitary landfills and to better use sites in which filled or closed landfills are located. Such studies shall address— (1) methods to reduce the volume of materials before placement in landfills; (2) more efficient systems for depositing waste in landfills; (3) methods to enhance the rate of decomposition of solid waste in landfills, in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner; (4) methane production from closed landfill units; (5) innovative uses of closed landfill sites, including use for energy production such as solar or wind energy and use for metals recovery; (6) potential for use of sewage treatment sludge in reclaiming landfilled areas; and (7) methods to coordinate use of a landfill owned by one municipality by nearby municipalities, and to establish equitable rates for such use, taking into account the need to provide future landfill capacity to replace that so used.