Governor Nathan Deal signed legislation requiring landfill owners to notify local officials if toxic waste spills onto the ground or into the groundwater. HB 1028, prompted by an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation, gives landfill companies 14 days to report to city and county officials any spill that’s “likely to pose a danger to human health.”

The bill was introduced by Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R-Glenville) after the Broadhurst Environmental Landfill near Jesup leaked toxic coal ash into the groundwater. Wayne County residents didn’t learn about the spill until the AJC’s story in February. The spill appears to have been remediated.

To read the full story, visit http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/gov-deal-signs-landfill-danger-bill/nrCJn/.

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