SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Use of Phosphogypsum
Body
SUMMARY:
Phosphogypsum is the radioactive byproduct or waste product that results from the process of making fertilizer.
EPA requires that it is stored in “gypstacks.'
In 2021 the Piney Point phosphate plant in Manatee County released 215 million gallons of the reservoir’s polluted water into Tampa Bay.
2023: ‘’CS/HB1191 Use of Phosphogypsum <https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2023/html/3025>
The bill authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to undertake demonstration projects using phosphogypsum from phosphate production in road construction aggregate material. The bill requires the FDOT to conduct a study to evaluate the suitability of using phosphogypsum as a construction aggregate material. The FDOT may consider any prior or ongoing studies of phosphogypsum’s road suitability. The study and a determination of suitability must be completed by April 1, 2024.
Upon the FDOT’s determination of suitability, the bill authorizes the use of phosphogypsum from phosphate production as a construction aggregate material in accordance with the conditions of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) approval for such use. Finally, the bill provides that phosphogypsum placed in a phosphogypsum stack system permitted by the EPA or used in accordance with an allowed use expressly specified in EPA regulations or pursuant to an express EPA approval for the specific use is not solid waste and is an allowable use in this state.
News articles:
Bay News 9, 8/2/23 Florida phosphogypsum road debate continues: what the material is and isn't <https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/08/02/florida-phosphogypsum-road-debate-continues--what-the-material-is-and-isn-t>
Surfrider Foundation, 7/11/23 Radioactive Road Bill Signed Into Law in Florida <https://www.surfrider.org/news/radioactive-road-bill-signed-into-law-in-florida>
CBS News, 5/24/23 "Radioactive" roads made of potentially cancer-causing mining waste could be headed to Florida under new bill <https://www.cbsnews.com/news/radioactive-roads-phosphogypsum-mining-could-be-headed-to-florida/>