§ 6627. Technical and research assistance program

The Secretary shall establish a technical and research assistance program to assist generators, exempt small quantity generators, and large users in identifying and applying toxics use reduction methods and hazardous waste reduction methods. The program shall emphasize assistance to smaller businesses which have inadequate technical and financial resources to obtain information, assess and develop and apply toxics use reduction and hazardous waste reduction methods. The program shall also emphasize the merits of use reduction as a means of reducing the amount of hazardous waste generated or hazardous materials released into the environment. In the program:

(1) The Department shall encourage presentations by private or public consultants, including onsite consultation at sites or locations where hazardous waste is generated or toxic substances are used to aid those generators or large users requiring assistance in developing and implementing the toxics use reduction and hazardous waste reduction plan, plan summary, and performance report required by this subchapter.

(2) The Department shall conduct plan assistance programs, seminars, workshops, training programs, and other similar activities to assist generators and large users to evaluate toxics use reduction and hazardous waste reduction alternatives and to identify opportunities for toxics use reduction and hazardous waste reduction.

(3) The Department shall establish a program to assemble, catalogue, and disseminate information about source reduction methods, with emphasis on the merits of use reduction, available consultant services, and regulatory requirements.

(4) The Department shall identify the range of technical solutions that can be applied by particular types of hazardous waste generators to reduce hazardous waste generation.

(5) The Department may also direct on-site technical assistance to generators and large users in developing the plans.

(6) The Department shall coordinate its technical assistance with trade associations and local colleges and universities as appropriate.

(7) Technical services provided under this section shall not result in inspection or other enforcement actions unless there is reasonable cause to believe there is an imminent threat to human health or the environment.

(8) The Department shall provide direct technical assistance to solid waste management districts and regional planning entities including training and information exchange and shall coordinate technical assistance with the solid waste management districts and regional planning entities. (Added 1989, No. 282 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. June 22, 1990; amended 1991, No. 100, § 5.)