DEQ is asking for Public Comment on the Proposed Hazardous Waste Rules
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
OREGON – (Release from the Department of Environmental Quality) DEQ proposes the Environmental Quality Commission approve updates and revisions to several rules that pertain to the Hazardous Waste Program. DEQ’s Hazardous Waste Program must adopt Environmental Protection Agency’s Definition of Solid Waste: 2015 Revision to the Definition of Solid Waste and 2018 Response to Vacatur of Certain Provisions of the Definition of Solid Waste [80 FR 1694-1814 – Jan 13, 2015, effective Jul 13, 2015 & 83 FR 24664-24671 – May 30, 2018, effective May 30, 2018] to maintain authorization to administer the program in Oregon in lieu of EPA.
DEQ is also proposing changes to disposal fees as authorized by Senate Bill 57 that was passed during the 2021 legislative session. The new law modernizes and streamlines ORS 465.376, which governs disposal fees for wastes disposed of in Oregon’s only commercially permitted RCRA Subtitle C Hazardous Waste Landfill, Chemical Waste Management of the Northwest, located in Arlington. New fees were set in statute along with the ability to change specific fees by rule. Revenue from these fees partially supports both the Hazardous Waste and Cleanup Programs. These changes went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022; this rulemaking is simply “housekeeping” to align with the statute.
Public Comment
DEQ is asking for public comment on the proposed rules. Anyone can submit comments and questions about this rulemaking. A person can submit comments by email, regular mail or at the public hearing.
Comment deadline
DEQ will only consider comments on the proposed rules that DEQ receives by 4 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.
Submit comment by email to:
Note for public university students:
ORS 192.345(29) allows Oregon public university and OHSU students to protect their university email addresses from disclosure under Oregon’s public records law. If you are an Oregon public university or OHSU student, notify DEQ that you wish to keep your email address confidential.
By mail
Oregon DEQ
Attn: Ellie Brown
700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 600
Portland, OR 97232-4100
Public Hearing
DEQ plans to hold two virtual public hearings, which will be open everyone.
First Hearing
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022
Start time: 5 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Join by phone
Call-in number: 888-475-4499 (Toll-free in the U.S.)
Meeting ID: 816 8262 2017
Passcode: 271657
Second Hearing
Date: Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022
Start time: 11 a.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Join by phone
Call-in number: 888-475-4499 (Toll-free in the U.S.)
Meeting ID: 811 7523 1474
Passcode: 271657
The public hearing is online only.
Instructions for joining webinar or teleconference: Instructions
Additional Information
To view copies of the notice documents, learn more about this rulemaking, and how to submit comments, you can view the rulemaking web page at: Hazardous Waste Rules 2022.
If you want to receive future email notices about this rulemaking, you must sign up at: GovDelivery.
You can also obtain more information about this rulemaking by contacting:
Ellie Brown
503-863-1431
