SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2569

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Sprenkle, Walker, Valle, D. Sommers, Rust, May, Brekke, G. Fisher, Pruitt, Fraser, Spanel and Todd)

Modifying provisions relating to oil recycling.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1990

Senate Staff:Atsushi Kiuchi (786-7708); Dawn P. Vyvyan (786-7717)

AS OF FEBRUARY 21, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1983, the state Legislature recognized the potential adverse environmental impacts of illegally disposed oil and established a policy calling for collection and recycling of used oil.

In 1989, the Solid Waste Management Reform Act also identified waste lubricating oil as a problem waste and directed a study to be completed by December 15, 1990 by the Department of Ecology.

The primary use of used oil in the state is as fuel for ships, and industrial facilities.  There are several used oil fuel production facilities in the state, including Woodland, Vancouver, Tacoma, Seattle and Anacortes.

Used oil can also be reprocessed for use as a lubricant.  There are no used oil lubricant producers in the state.

The amount of lead in fuels made of used oil is one of the primary air pollution concerns.  The state standard for lead in used oil processed as fuel is 100 parts per million.

"Off-specification" fuels have greater levels of lead and exceed other contaminant standards.  Off-specification fuel may not be burned in the state and is used primarily by ocean going ships outside state waters.

Fuel oil producers reduce the lead level by blending used oil with crude or virgin oil.  The lead levels in used oil are being dramatically reduced as its primary use in gasoline is being phased out throughout the nation.

Used oil is also spread on the ground to control dust and unwanted vegetation growth.

SUMMARY:

Persons transporting or recycling oil shall be licensed by the Department of Ecology and post a $10,000 bond.

The standard for lead in fuels using used oil is reduced to 50 parts per million from one hundred parts per million.  The blending of used oil with crude or virgin oil to meet the proposed new 50 parts per million standard is prohibited after July 1, 1991.

New standards for used oil used as dust suppressant and weed control are established.

The Joint Select Committee on Solid Waste Management shall make an assessment on the potential for used oil to be made into lubricating products and submit it to the Legislature by December 1, 1990.

The "do-it-yourself" used oil collection kits containing oil absorbent materials shall be labelled as being illegal for use after July 1, 1991.  Labelling shall begin upon passage of this act.

Effective July 1, 1991, no owner or operator of a solid or hazardous waste landfill or incinerator may knowingly accept used oil for disposal except as provided by the department.  Violations are subject to a fine up to $1,000.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The licensing of used oil transporters and recyclers and penalties for violations are effective July 1, 1991.