Funding Cuts for Hazardous Waste Management

By W. Spencer King

Starting this year, Kentucky’s hazardous waste management fund will have $1 million less to work with annually.

Some contaminated sites, such as old fuel refineries, will be abandoned due to the tight budget. Tim Hubbard, assistant director of Kentucky’s Division of Waste Management, told WDRB News that money being cut from the budget was set aside in case of an expensive hazardous waste emergency.

Officials say funding cuts will make it difficult for the state to coordinate cleanups and monitor hazardous sites that are not considered a federal priority.

The state legislature will vote to reauthorize the fund in June 2016.