To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to establish certain requirements regarding the approval of facilities for the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls, and for other purposes.

H.R. 847 proposes stricter federal requirements for the approval and construction of facilities used to dispose of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are toxic industrial chemicals. Under this bill, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be prohibited from approving new PCB disposal sites unless the facility is proven to be in the public interest and its design specifically protects public health and the environment.

For local communities, this legislation would increase transparency by requiring the EPA to provide public notice and allow for citizen participation before a facility is approved, similar to the process used for other hazardous waste sites. Additionally, the bill ensures that a facility's complete record of safety or environmental violations is made available to the public and grants citizens the right to petition a court to review approval decisions.