More than 200 new Illinois laws scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1. Here are the new laws governing Energy, Utilities, Environment and Conservation:
Best Use of Dust Suppressants (HB 4007/PA 99-0089): States that a provision concerning beneficial use determinations does not apply to dust suppressants applied to material that is burned for energy recovery, used to produce a fuel, or otherwise contained in a fuel.
Clean Air Act (SB 1672/PA 99-0463 – Sen. Sue Rezin): Amends the Environmental Protection Act and requires the Pollution Control Board to adopt regulations establishing permit programs for Clean Air Act permits meeting the applicable requirements of specified provisions of the Clean Air Act. Ensures incorporation of federal laws and regulation into state statute and environmental policy.
Exotic Weed Act (SB 681/PA 99-0081): Adds more than 17 plant types to the Illinois Exotic Weed Act, which includes species of bush honeysuckle, olive, salt cedar, poison hemlock, giant hogweed, Oriental bittersweet, teasel, and knotweed.
Handicapped Accessibility (HB 3457/PA 99-0391): When considering applications for grants, directs the Department of Natural Resources to add certain criteria for giving park projects priority based on their level of handicapped accessibility.
Increased Penalties for Rivers, Lakes and Streams Act (HB 3240/PA 99-0073 – Sen. Bill Brady): States that anyone who violates a provision of the Act shall be subject to a civil penalty worth two times the applicable permit fee, but not to exceed $5,000.
LIHEAP Funding (SB 418/PA 99-0457): Ensures that Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) providers will still receive a 10 percent administrative fee for the previous fiscal year’s work even when the LIHEAP program runs out of funds.
Oil and Gas Act Changes (SB 1377/PA 99-0137): Amends the DNR Oil and Gas Act. Changes the section concerning fabrications of permits concerning wells. This would increase the penalty to $5,000 for every falsification and misuse of information.
Oil and Gas Payments (HB 313/PA 99-0129) Adjusts oil lease/transfer fees for inflation. If a lease fee payment is $100 or less, a lessee may make one annual payment via check.
Oil and Gas Service of Notification Act (SB 1378/PA 99-0138): Creates the pathways that the Department of Natural Resources would use to notify owners of an abandoned well.
Prohibit MGP (Manufactured Gas Plant) Waste from Landfills (HB 1326/PA 99-0365): Bans MGP waste from being placed into waste disposal sites (other than those permitted to receive dangerous material), unless it contains pollutant levels below the US EPA levels.
Utility Deposit Waiver (SB 1645/PA 99-0420): Requires utility companies to waive deposit requirements on new accounts for 60 days for documented domestic abuse victims.
Check Out More New Illinois Laws in 2016
Review ALL 237 new laws that take effect on Jan. 1:
