Senate Bill 488: Close the Medical Waste Loophole
We believe that the public hearing on SB 488 will happen on March 2nd. Please be ready to help us pass this bill with your written testimony when we ask you to do this!
Marion County has become the dumping group for toxic wastes from as far as Canada. The Covanta Marion Incinerator is importing medical waste from other states and Canada, burning this toxic material here, and polluting our community.
The Clean Air Now Coalition, of which 350 Salem OR is a partner, wants to change that! The Clean Air Now Coalition has worked with Senator Deb Patterson to introduce Senate Bill 488. We expect this bill to have a hearing in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee in the coming weeks. Please watch this page to receive updates about how you can submit testimony to Oregon legislators.
SB 488 requires municipal solid waste incinerator that accepts more than specified amounts of hospital, medical or infectious waste in calendar year to meet federal emissions limits for hospital, medical or infectious waste incinerator.
Background:
Federal regulations for medical waste incinerators are far stricter than those for municipal waste (trash) incinerators. However, a loophole in EPA regulations allows Covanta Marion, an incinerator just north of Salem, to be classified as a “municipal waste incinerator.” This allows Covanta to burn significant amounts of medical waste without being held to the much stricter medical waste incinerator emissions limits. Burning medical waste, which is often plastics such as PVC, is known to emit more toxic pollutants than most municipal waste.
What this bill will do:
SB 488 will close the regulatory loophole in Oregon’s air quality laws. If passed, SB 488 will give the DEQ authority to more accurately assess how many tons of medical waste Covanta burns annually. If the facility exceeds the specified weight limits, the DEQ can apply the stricter emission limits required for medical waste incinerators set under federal law. SB 488 will better regulate a large polluter and ensure stronger environmental protection and public health outcomes for all Oregonians.