Conversion Technology Rulemaking

DEQ Adjusting Timeline for Conversion Technology Rulemaking

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is adjusting the timeline for completing the solid waste conversion technology facility rulemaking. DEQ now plans to recommend rules to the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission for adoption this summer rather than in March. This change allows more time for DEQ to consider and respond to the comments received on the proposed rules during the public comment period that closed Jan. 22, 2013.

DEQ Proposing New Rules, Standards For Solid Waste Conversion Technology Facilities

• Public comment period through Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013
• Public hearing in Portland on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013
  Conversion Technology Rulemaking Presentation from Public Hearing on January 16, 2013

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is proposing to create new performance standards and solid waste permit requirements for certain facilities in Oregon that convert waste into chemicals, fuels, products or energy.

The changes would come in the form of new state rules primarily governing conversion technology facilities, which use chemical or thermal processes to convert solid waste into a variety of byproducts. The rule also would cover anaerobic digestion facilities, which use biological processes to digest solid waste and create methane, which can be used to create electricity or transportation fuels.

The complete rulemaking proposal is available for public review on DEQ’s rulemaking web page. Other documents associated with the rulemaking are also available via that web page.

• DEQ's Proposed Rules Web Page

Proposed Rule Drafts as of November 14, 2012

• OAR Div 93 Definitions and Applications
• OAR Div 96 Anaerobic Digestion and Composting
• OAR Div 96 Conversion Technology New Rules
• OAR Div 97 Fee Rules
• OAR Div 64 & 95 Housekeeping Amendments related to Financial Assurance

Advisory Committee Resources

• Advisory meetings
• Advisory committee membership

All interested parties will have additional opportunities to provide input. Sign up for email updates using the green envelope link in the left navigation bar.

Background

Conversion technologies consist of a variety of biological, chemical and thermal (excluding incineration) processes that convert solid waste into chemicals, fuels and other products. Examples of conversion technologies include: anaerobic digestion, gasification, hydrolysis, and pyrolysis.

DEQ is developing a rule proposal that would define conversion technology, establish performance standards and solid waste permit requirements for conversion technology facilities.

If adopted, the proposed rules would establish regulatory clarity through performance standards and solid waste permit requirements for conversion technology facilities. This would assure environmental protection, establish an appropriate fee schedule for this new permit category and provide regulatory certainty for emerging technology providers and DEQ staff.

Additional Information

The links below provide background on conversion technologies:

• DEQ Briefing Paper: What are “Conversion Technologies?”
• Assessment of Materials Management Options for the Massachusetts Solid Waste Master Plan Review; Final Report Appendices
• CalRecycle Conversion Technology Webpage
• Waste-to-Energy in California: Technology, Issues and Context
• GUIDANCE DOCUMENT: How Conversion Technologies Fit Current California Board Regulatory Structure
• American Chemistry Council April 2011 Report. Conversion Technology: A Complement to Recycling. Prepared by Kim Holmes/4R Sustainability Inc.
• Ohio EPA Final policy regarding regulation of facilities that use thermal and biological conversion technologies to convert solid waste to fuels
• Ohio EPA Response to comments on Final policy regarding regulation of facilities that use thermal and biological conversion technologies to convert solid waste to fuels

Contact Bob Barrows at 541-687-7354 or for additional information.

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