The General Assembly passed H.B. 391 to regulate the application process for permits to install or modifications to solid waste facilities. The bill requires applicants to hold public meetings and become more involved in the application process. It also has guidelines for Ohio EPA's public information sessions and hearings.
Public meetings allow citizens to play a key role in the permitting process.
Ohio EPA places a high priority on public involvement in its decision-making process. Both meetings must be held within the county or an adjoining county where the new or modified facility is or is proposed to be located. The Agency will hold the meetings as close to the propsed new or modified facility as possible. Both meetings must be held before taking action on any application pending before the Agency, unless a resolution is submitted as described in the exemption section below. Any expansion of the limits of solid waste placement at a solid waste facility.