Final administrative rules approved
Metro's Chief Operating Officer approved final administrative rules, effective March 1, 2018, to guide the licensing and inspection of facilities that receive source-separated recyclable materials as well as some facilities that convert waste to energy or fuel.
The Metro Council, after consultation with its Solid Waste Alternatives Advisory Committee, recently established licensing and inspection requirements for facilities within the greater Portland area that receive source-separated recyclable materials as well as for certain types of facilities that convert waste to energy or fuel.
In October 2015, the Metro Council asked SWAAC to appoint a subcommittee to consider whether such facilities should be subject to licensing and inspection requirements similar to those for other solid waste facilities and, if so, identify which requirements are appropriate for material recovery and conversion technology facilities.
This subcommittee, comprised of 15 industry, local government, nonprofit and citizen representatives, met throughout 2016 to discuss these matters and provide recommendations to the Metro Council for its consideration.
An initial 60-day public comment period on the subcommittee's recommendations closed on July 14, 2017. Comments received on the Metro code amendments were reviewed and responded to by Metro staff. The comments received and Metro staff’s responses can be downloaded below.
Metro staff also received comments on the first draft of administrative rules from:
- Keith Ristau, Far West Recycling
- Andy Kahut, KB Recycling
- Dave Claugus, Pioneer Recycling
- Chris McCabe, Northwest Pulp and Paper Association
The Metro Council adopted the amendments to Metro Code Chapter 5.00 and Chapter 5.01 on Oct. 26, 2017. Metro staff revised the draft of the administrative rules based on the adopted code language and preliminary input received during the comment period that ended on July 14, 2017. The updated drafts of administrative rules were open for additional public comment. A public hearing on the revised draft of the administrative rules as held Nov. 14, and the second public comment period closed on Dec. 4, 2017.
Metro staff is reviewing the comments that were received and will prepare final administrative rules which will be approved by, and implemented at the direction of, Metro’s chief operating officer.
Proposed administrative rules for public comment, Fall 2017
Public comments received on proposed code changes, Summer 2017
Solid Waste Alternatives Advisory Committee
Material Recovery Facility and Conversion Technology Subcommittee
Dan Blue
503-797-1863
[email protected]