Energy and Environment Cabinet

Branch Manager -  Ron Gruzesky

This branch is responsible for the review and issuance or denial of permits for solid waste and special waste landfills, landfarming and composting facilities and registrations for permit-by-rule facilities.

The mission is to assure proper waste management practices through the implementation of comprehensive permitting, monitoring and training.

To accomplish these tasks, the branch is broken into the four sections:

Closure Section - Supervisor Tammi Hudson

Before solid waste management was regulated in Kentucky, most towns or cities had a common location where household waste and a vast array of other materials were disposed. These “old town dumps” were the de facto landfill for the area, and were rarely operated in a manner consistent with current standards. In most cases they were not properly capped to prevent migration of contaminated leachate and other pollutants. According to division records, more than 600 of these sites are scattered across the state. This section addresses proper closure and remediation of these historic sites. Closure/remediation work is presently ongoing at several sites across the state.

Permit Administration Section - Supervisor LeMoyne Pilcher

This section provides assistance to the public, technical staff, management, other governmental offices and outside agencies with information concerning regulatory or statutory requirements and reports. Other duties include:

• reviewing permit applications, disclosure documents and financial documents;
• performing background checks where required;
• processing fees for permits and the operator certification program;
• manage the operator certification program;
• issuing public notices and conducting public hearings;
• verifying permit compliance through annual and quarterly reports; and,
•  maintaining and determining compliance with Environmental Remediation Fee (ERF) requirements.
  

Permitting Section - Supervisor Lindsey Briggs