(a) The enforcement agency may, in accordance with Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 44300), suspend or revoke the permit of any solid waste facility designed to convert solid waste from offsite sources into energy or synthetic fuels if the facility utilizes recyclable materials for conversion to energy and if the local agency in whose jurisdiction the materials are collected requires, by ordinance, contract, or otherwise, that recyclable materials within the jurisdiction of that local agency be converted into energy at that facility. This subdivision does not otherwise restrict the ability of a solid waste facility to purchase, collect, transport, or process recyclable materials.

(b) As used in this section, “local agency” means any county, city, or district authorized to collect, dispose, or collect and dispose of solid waste, or any joint powers authority formed pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6500) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code which is authorized to construct and operate a facility for the conversion of solid waste into energy, synthetic fuel, or reusable materials.

(c) As used in this section, “recyclable materials” means discarded paper, glass, cardboard, plastic, ferrous metal, or aluminum which has been segregated from other solid waste materials for the purpose of reuse or recycling, except that recyclable materials do not include materials which a local agency, having jurisdiction over the locations where these materials exist, determines could be potentially harmful to the public health, or materials which create a public nuisance, as defined in Section 3480 of the Civil Code.

(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 952, Sec. 27. Effective October 16, 1995.)