Bills requiring identification of ‘forever chemical’ sources advancing through legislature

Published in Virginia Mercury February 23, 2024 By: Charlie Paullin Legislation to set up a state process to identify sources of high levels of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” is moving swiftly through the General Assembly. The bills from Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, and Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, both passed their own chamber and are on track […]

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Virginia Biosolids Council Legislative Update

Storage The legislation supported by the Virginia Biosolids Council to fix the storage issue during extreme weather events which prevent land application has passed the House and Senate and is making its way to the Governor. House Bill 870 (Bulova) passed the House floor on January 30 by a vote of 100-0 and passed the Senate […]

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VBC Emergency Storage Bill Advances in ’24 Assembly

In 2018 and 2019, Virginia suffered through one of its wettest periods in history. Richmond had 190 days of measurable precipitation and a record-setting 63.5 inches of rain in 2019. For those who manage biosolids – either at the municipal facility or by recyclers and contractors, excessive rainfall impacts can result in operational challenges and restrict […]

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An Odor Reminder – EPA’s Research

Every year when the Virginia Biosolids Council reports on its progress in its Code of Good Practice Annual Report, odor is typically, by volume, the number one complaint received by the Department of Environmental Quality. The VBC reported a total of five biosolids-related complaints in 2022. Several years ago, the U.S. EPA compiled a report on […]

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Conference on Agricultural Trade Speaks to Future of Farming

In 2022, Virginia farmers who choose to use biosolids received approximately 115,000 tons on 41,600 acres of cropland, pasture, and forestland. In addition to providing an incredibly beneficial product for row crops, pastures, hay lands, and forests, biosolids use in agriculture provides an alternative to filling up Virginia’s landfill space and can be vital in […]

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Research Continues at Eastern Virginia AREC Biosolids Plot

Fall harvest has come and gone, and this means a next step for the VBC research at the Eastern Virginia AREC Research Plot. This plot is being used to examine the impact of the land application of biosolids and PFAS on soils. The research is being included in a national PFAS study conducted by Dr. […]

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Report Highlights 45 Years of Biosolids Research

Jim Ippolito, a professor at Colorado State University, is an expert on the years of work on biosolids and its benefits. He and a colleague, Ken Barbarick, recently reviewed 45 years of biosolids land application research. The research was published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, a publication of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society […]

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Biosolids Recycling Featured at VA State Fair Exhibit

After Tropical Storm Ophelia swirled through the fairgrounds leaving some serious mud in her wake, crowds came out in full force to enjoy Virginia’s State Fair, Your Fair, Your Way, offering agricultural attractions along with classic rides, foods, and competitions for all. VBC creatively demonstrated the benefits of recycling biosolids by allowing the young and […]

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VBC spreads the word about beneficial uses of biosolids at Virginia AG EXPO

August 3 was a beautiful day to meet and talk with hundreds of attendees at the 2023 Virginia AG EXPO at Land of Promise Farms in Virginia Beach. As one of the largest gatherings in the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry, AG EXPO drew a sizeable crowd of farmers, industry leaders, state agencies, vendors, and attendees. All […]

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