Government Relations Update

July 10, 2026

Regulations

On July 4th, DEP published Draft General Permits for the Beneficial Use of Exceptional Quality Biosolids (PAG-07), Non-Exceptional Quality Biosolids (PAG-08) and Residential Septage (PAG-09) by Land Application. These general permits are intended to provide permit coverage to existing or proposed facilities that process and land apply biosolids or residential septage for beneficial use under the terms and conditions of the general permits. Compared with the existing versions of these permits, updates are proposed to reformat and reorganize all three draft permits. For PAG-07 and PAG-08, substantive updates are also proposed, including the following:

• Limits and requirements based on the concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate in biosolids.

• Requirements for management of biosolids with consideration of phosphorus in certain situations.

• Requirements for staging and in-field storage of biosolids.

• Requirements for processing and beneficial use of noncaptive sewage sludge, biosolids and food waste.

Comments on these Draft General Permits are open through September 2nd, 2026, and can be submitted here.

• PAG-07
• PAG-08
• PAG-09

Advisory Committees

On July 8th, DEP's Water Resource Advisory Committee (WRAC) met. DEP staff gave a presentation regarding the State Water plan and can be viewed here. The next WRAC meeting is scheduled for September 9th, 2026.

In The News

DEP Proposes Updated Safeguards to Prevent PFAS Forever Chemicals in Biosolids from Polluting Groundwater

EPA Seeks Public Comment on Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids to Make America Healthy Again

Pugh Issues Statement on Proposed PFAS Chemical Oversight

Grant Opportunities

Municipal Recycling Program Performance Grant

The Department of Environmental Protection announces a request for applications from municipalities for recycling performance grant assistance for recycling programs under section 904 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988 (Act 101) (53 P.S. § 4000.904). Municipalities include counties, cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships, home rule municipalities, their authorities, councils of governments, consortiums or similar entities established by two or more municipalities under 53 Pa.C.S. Chapter 23 Subchapter A (relating to intergovernmental cooperation). This application period is for eligible materials recycled and marketed in Calendar Year 2025.

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