Electronic recycling bills receive hearing
The Senate Natural Resources Committee discussed a pair of bills aimed at requiring manufacturers of select electronic devices to recycle old products. Senate Bills 897 and 898 were not voted out of committee, but this may happen next week.
Of importance to retail is the provision that manufacturers would use national sales data, broken down for individual states, to estimate their recycling liability in Michigan. Manufacturers had requested that retailers be required to report their sales data to the manufacturers for this purpose. MRA opposed the manufacturers’ suggested provision, as it would be costly and burdensome to retail, in addition to involving proprietary sales data.
A task force made up of manufacturers, recyclers and retailers would be created to observe how the program is working and to make recommendations for any changes that might be necessary or desired. While the task force would make recommendations, any changes would still have to pass through the legislative process.
It is unclear what changes will occur if and when the bill is passed to the Senate.
Questions still remain with fraudulent redemption bills
A package of House bills aimed at reducing the fraudulent redemption of out-of-state bottles and cans for Michigan deposit was debated at the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee. In concept, the goals of the proposal sound good. The problem is how to pay for new technology that would be required in the Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs).
One bill in the package would appropriate $2 million for retailers to make necessary upgrades to RVMs. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), however, testified in opposition to the funding bill. In addition, Governor Jennifer Granholm line-item vetoed similar funding from the DEQ budget earlier this spring.
Concerns still exist with passing any new retailer requirements with regard to RVM technology upgrades without corresponding funding to pay for it. It is estimated that each machine will cost approximately $5,000 to retrofit.
Energy bills finally pass
After years of heated debate, a comprehensive package of bills aimed at requiring alternative energy—and which also guarantees the top two utility companies a customer base—passed from a conference committee Thursday.
Reactions to the deal were mixed, with the utilities overjoyed and consumer groups complaining that it returns the state’s energy industry to monopoly status and will cost customers more in the long run.
The deal ultimately grants choice to 10 percent of the overall market, a point supporters of the bill offer as proof choice will still exist. MRA believes that choice should not be limited, however, and that market forces should dictate such decisions. New rate structures also will shift a greater burden to residential consumers from businesses. For years, the business community has subsidized residential rates.KEY BILL INTRODUCTIONS:
No bill introductions at this time.
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