To:  Environmental Quality Commission

 

From: Brian Fuller & Jeannette Acomb, Hazardous Waste Program

 

Date:  February 7, 2019

 

Subject: Follow-up: January 24 EQC Agenda Item D. Informational item: Hazardous waste overview and fee increase proposal

 

 

 

We appreciated the opportunity to share hazardous waste program information and details about our funding outlook with you during the January 24 EQC meeting in Corvallis. This memorandum is in response to questions you raised regarding conditionally exempt generators, state received cleanup wastes, program operations relative to neighboring states, and cooperative regional fees.

 

Conditionally exempt generators

DEQ does not track or require reporting for businesses generating 220 pounds or less of hazardous waste per month. The universe of conditionally exempt generators in Oregon meeting this criteria is unknown. Potentially any small business in Oregon could be a Conditionally Exempt Generator.

 

Cleanup wastes

Chemical Waste Management of the NW estimates they received 10.8 tons of remedial hazardous waste in 2018, which is approximately 12.4 percent of their total hazardous wastes received in 2018.

 

State comparison

DEQ’s hazardous waste program differs from neighboring states in size, staffing and funding:

State

% of operating budget is fees

Annual operating funds

Hazardous waste program staff

# of active hazardous waste generators

California

Fees/Taxes 59%

State Funds 14%

Fed Grant 15%

Other Funds 12%

$217.5M

1,000+ FTE

100,000+

Idaho

Fees 0%

State Funds 69%

Fed Grant 31%

$1.3M

12 FTE

150

Oregon

Fees 80%

Fed Grant 20%

$3.5M

19 FTE

487

Washington

Fees 20%

Taxes 61%

Fed Grant/Misc 19%

$22M

122 FTE

4623

 

 

Regional treatment storage and disposal fees

As mentioned in our presentation, while there is an understanding between Idaho, Utah and Oregon, Oregon Revised Statute 465.378 directs DEQ to work cooperatively with other states to avoid disrupting or changing waste flows between states that may be caused by the establishment or adjustment of state disposal fees. Link: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors465.html