HOUSE 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

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; D. Sommers, Ranking Republican Member; Brekke, G. Fisher, Fraser, Phillips, Pruitt, Schoon, Sprenkle and Walker.

House Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7114)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 7, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In Washington, bunker fuel for ships constitutes the primary market for used oil. This market appears to be weakening due to an increasing supply of bunker fuel from the state's large oil refineries.

Used oil can be processed for reuse as a lubricant or burned as fuel.  Capacity to refine used oil into lubricants currently does not exist in Washington state.  The most promising mid-term market for used oil may be as a fuel oil to industrial users.  Current state standards for used oil burned as an industrial fuel can be met using little or no processing technology.  However, air pollution regulations often require special air pollution control equipment to be installed before used oil can be burned, thereby limiting its use.  Technology now exists to reduce the contaminants found in used oil to levels that may avoid the need for additional air pollution control equipment.

Used oil is sometimes used as a dust suppressant and to control weeds.

SUMMARY:

Persons in the business of transporting and recycling used oil are required to be licensed by the Department of Ecology. Penalties are established for non-compliance. The standard for the amount of lead allowed in used oil is reduced to 50 parts per million (ppm) from 100 ppm.

Blending used oil with crude or virgin oil to meet the new standard for lead is prohibited after July 1, 1991.  The use of used oil as a dust suppressant or for weed control is prohibited unless it meets certain standards.

By December 1, 1990, the Joint Select Committee on Solid Waste Management must assess the potential for used oil to be made into lubricating products.

Used oil collection kits containing wood fiber as an oil absorbent must bear a label stating that the use of such kits is illegal as of July 1, 1991.  The kits are prohibited on that date.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 29, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Tim Hamilton, Automotive United Trades Organization; Glenn Tegen, Lilyblad Petroleum; Bill Alkire, Department of Ecology; and Polly Lord, Evergreen Oil.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    More stringent standards will result in less lead entering the atmosphere and may result in greater industrial use.  The technology to attain a 50 ppm standard for lead is available.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.