November Update: USCC Advocacy at the Federal, State and Local Level

It has been another busy month advocating at the federal, state, and local levels!
 
On Friday, November 7th, the USCC had delivered by our Washington lobbying firm, Carpi and Clay, to the Offices of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries a letter that summarizes the results of a recent poll conducted by the USCC of our members on the impacts of the Federal Government Shutdown on the US Composting Industry. In our letter, we introduce the US Composting Council and our mission to develop, expand, and promote the composting industry for the benefit of local economies and sustainability.
 
We explained who composters are: organic recyclers that transform materials like yard trimmings, food waste, biosolids, and manures that would otherwise go to landfills into a valuable product that improves soil health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and enhances water quality. We also highlighted how composting boosts local economies in rural, urban, and suburban areas, creating good-paying jobs and economic opportunity for Americans nationwide.
 
The survey found that at least one-quarter of our members are impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown, with the main impacts upon the composting industry including:

• Equipment purchases on hold or cancelled. Common equipment used by composters includes high-dollar compost turners, grinders, and shredders, as well as numerous loaders representing more than $1 million in equipment spending at most sites.
• Suspension of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) technical support and equipment programs for farmers on compost application and nutrient management programs.
• Inability for our members to carry forward deliverables on grants funded by the USDA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Inability to perform work as required by Conservation Districts under Cooperative Agreements awarded through the National Resource Conservation Service.
• Delayed payments on existing grants, ranging from USDA Compost and Food Waste Reduction grants, to EQUP Conservation Innovation Grants, and USEPA SWIFR Grants.
• Inability to work with EPA Regions on existing programs.

The USCC believes that this summary of the impacts of the current Shutdown on our industry will help the leaders of the House and Senate to understand the economic toll the Shutdown is taking on this industry that is vital to the 4,000 compost facilities around the U.S., as they continue to consider ways to end the Shutdown.
 
We want to thank everyone who completed the survey on the government shutdown last month. It is important to the USCC that our members see the actions that we are taking on their behalf to raise the issues of our industry in Washington, and the need for our members to respond to our future information gathering efforts.

Recent attention on the state level, was turned to the Washington State Department of Environmental Conservation's rulemaking process to update its organic materials management regulations. Please see the second article in the Advocacy section of this Compost Communicator for more details on this rulemaking process, and how you can get involved and make your voice heard in support of clean organic waste management and composting!

Also on the State Level, Director of Public Policy Chris Snow was pleased to be able to present virtually to the Ohio Composting Council on October 24th. Chris presented on the USCC's Advocacy resources available to the State Chapters, and the USCC's interest in helping the State Chapters be successful in their efforts to have laws favorable to composting passed in their States. The Ohio Composting Council had a great one-day conference with many worthwhile and well-received presentations. Chris can share the OHCC's agenda with any other State Chapters interested in planning their own annual conference, summits, or meetings. 

Sam Dixon, our Compost Market Manager & Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Program Manager also recently presented at the Texas Composting Council’s Compost Summit and Equipment Demo. USCC staff are pleased to be able to join in virtually or in person at our State Chapters’ events!

It is also important to note that our State Legislative Committee is starting up meetings again before all the legislative activity kicks off at the end of this year and ramps up in the New Year. The Committee will be meeting the first Thursday of each month and utilizing the format to do deeper dives into state legislation before LEAC meets on the second Monday of each mont. Let the Committee know what is happening legislatively in your States that we can review and assist with: csnow@compostingcouncil.org

And finally, this month at the national level again, Chris presented to RCON, the new annual conference that the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has for the Resource and Solid Waste Management Industry. It was held in Columbus, Ohio from November 12th to 15th. Chris's presentation focused on the USCC and its efforts and resources to expand composting infrastructure in the US. From Target Organics to Model Zoning Regulations, the USCC is helping the compost industry meet the challenges of reducing our organic wastes being landfilled and the creation of soil heathy compost. Chris presented along with Susan Antler of the Canadian Composting Council.

October and early November were whirlwinds of crucial advocacy efforts for the USCC—we look forward to continuing to work with you to advocate for the needs of the composting industry!