Hazardous waste control laws: exemption: geothermal resources.

Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez's proposal to modify California's hazardous waste fee structure would establish a $10 per ton cap on generation and handling fees for non-exempt geothermal waste, marking a departure from current rates that exceed $49 per ton. The measure targets waste from geothermal energy operations that falls outside existing exemptions, such as materials no longer contained in approved piping systems or left in lined surface impoundments beyond 18 months.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control currently oversees a broader fee framework requiring hazardous waste generators to pay handling fees when producing five or more tons annually. While geothermal waste meeting specific containment criteria remains exempt from these requirements, the proposed rate ceiling would apply to geothermal materials that do not qualify for existing carve-outs. The new maximum rate would take effect January 1, 2026, operating alongside established deductions that permit certain permitted facilities to exclude waste destined for authorized treatment, recovery, or disposal sites.

The measure maintains core regulatory elements of California's hazardous waste control system, including criminal penalties for violations and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration's role in fee collection. Implementation would require updates to fee schedules and collection processes while preserving existing enforcement mechanisms and environmental safety standards.