Mission
To protect and promote the health, safety, and well-being of Contra Costa residents as they are affected by hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
To provide and promote a forum for building consensus on environmental issues affecting Contra Costa residents related to hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
To provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Board's respective Committees and Commissions regarding policies concerning the storage, use, and management of hazardous materials and hazardous waste as they affect health, safety, and the environment, including land-use planning and economic effects.
History
The Hazardous Materials Commission was established in 1983 by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. Its charge is to develop policy recommendations for hazardous materials and wastes and advise the Board, local elected officials, and county and city staff.
Meetings
Public meeting documents related to the Hazardous Materials Commission can be found at Contra Costa County’s Public Meetings website.
All meetings are open to the public. For information please call Adam Springer at 925-655-3200 or email adam.springer@cchealth.org.
Membership and Bylaws
County Board and Commissions Details
Committees
The Operations Committee oversees the Commission's organizational business, provides guidance to county department programs and management, and addresses public education and communication issues.
The Planning and Policy Development Committee provides technical assistance on the update of the land use ordinance and other long-term policy and planning issues.
777 Arnold Dr., Martinez, CA 94553 - Paramount Room https://cchealth.zoom.us/j/98031936341 Meeting ID: 980 3193 6341
4th Thursdays at 4pm
Locunity is a independent informational service and is not an official government page for this commission.We use AI-assisted analysis and human editorial review to publish information.
County Seeks Exemption to Use Banned Rodenticide for Ground Squirrel Damage
Commissioner Purcell reported the county is applying for an exemption from California's ban on anticoagulant rodenticide to address ground squirrels damaging airports and bridges.
Why it matters: The banned chemicals could contaminate waterways and groundwater; the commission may ask the county's Integrated Pest Management coordinator to present on the environmental risks.
Mislabeled Organophosphate Shipment Hospitalizes FedEx Workers and Firefighters
A leaking, improperly labeled container of an agricultural organophosphate sent to the county Ag office via FedEx exposed multiple people and required a nine-hour cleanup.
Why it matters: The incident exposed gaps in hazardous materials shipping labeling and driver training—the package's hazard diamond was blank, and the controlled chemical may have been deliberately unlabeled.
Commission Clarifies It Can Advocate—But Must Route Through County Administrator
Staff reviewed the county's updated policy confirming state-mandated advisory bodies can take legislative positions provided they go through the county administrator's office.
Why it matters: The clarification empowers the commission to formally advocate on hazardous materials legislation for the first time, expanding its influence beyond purely advisory recommendations.
Staff Tracks Bills on Solar Panel Waste, EV Batteries, and Producer Responsibility
The CUPA legislative update flagged AB864 classifying solar panels as universal waste, SB615 on EV battery management, and SB501 requiring cradle-to-grave producer responsibility for hazardous household products.
Why it matters: AB864's universal waste classification for solar panels creates a regulatory pathway for recycling rather than hazardous waste disposal; SB501 would shift end-of-life cost from consumers and counties to manufacturers.
Contra Costa County
Small Modular ReactorsHazardous Materials Commission25d agoMarch 27, 2026
Commission Debates Nuclear Waste and Drone Risks From Small Modular Reactors
Commissioners discussed small modular reactor technology driven by AI data center demand, focusing on nuclear waste storage risks and security vulnerabilities.
Why it matters: With tax credits in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' expanding nuclear investment up to 40%, SMRs may soon arrive in California; the commission wants to understand local hazardous waste implications before that happens.
Federal Pipeline Safety Rollback Under Energy Emergency Alarms Commissioners
The commission examined a federal PHMSA policy allowing pipeline operators to skip safety regulations during the ongoing national energy emergency declared January 20, 2025.
Why it matters: Contra Costa County has significant pipeline infrastructure; if the policy applies to intrastate lines, operators could defer pressure tests and other safety measures without prior regulatory notice.
Commissioner Flags Unregulated Balcony Solar Kits With Lithium Battery Risks
Commissioner Purcell raised SB868, a bill addressing unregulated plug-in solar panel and battery kits sold directly to apartment renters without safety oversight.
Why it matters: Unlike regulated Tesla Powerwalls, these consumer-assembled lithium battery systems bypass fire codes and building permits, creating potential fire and hazardous materials risks in multi-family housing.
Commissioners Debate Whether Microplastics Fall Within Commission Purview
Aaron Winer raised microplastics as an emerging hazard, noting West County Wastewater's first-of-its-kind West Coast removal project, while commissioners debated jurisdictional boundaries.
Why it matters: Seven governors have petitioned EPA to add microplastics to the hazardous materials list; the commission wants to stay ahead of a potential reclassification that would expand its regulatory scope.
Contra Costa County
Published Reports
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