ORS 459A.012 Alternative recovery rate calculation methods; rules

The Environmental Quality Commission shall develop and adopt by rule a method for calculating recovery rates based on the rate of energy savings achieved by recovering materials from the general solid waste stream. The calculation method must account for:

The energy savings achieved from material recovery, as opposed to material disposal;

Recovery of energy from waste, including methane recovery at landfills; and

Energy saving practices implemented as part of local solid waste reduction, reuse and recycling programs or solid waste management programs, including but not limited to:

Fuel, efficiency and other improvements involving waste collection vehicles;

Energy efficiency improvements at recycling and solid waste facilities; and

Production of energy from renewable sources at solid waste facilities through means other than recovery of energy from waste, such as the use of solar energy to produce electricity.

A recovery rate of 100 percent under the calculation method is equivalent to the energy savings achieved if all materials in the general solid waste stream are directed to their optimal final destinations for purposes of the energy savings that can be achieved through the recovery of each type of material.

Using the calculation method developed under subsection (1) of this section, the commission shall adopt by rule recovery goals consistent with the goals under ORS 459A.010 (1) and (2).

The commission may develop and adopt by rule other methods for calculating recovery rates from the general solid waste stream that are based on achieving outcomes that result from waste recovery and management, and may include but are not limited to the following:

Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Reductions in the emissions of toxic or potentially toxic chemicals.

Water conservation.

The commission may adopt by rule other outcome-based recovery goals consistent with the goals under ORS 459A.010 (1) and (2) using outcome-based calculation methods developed under this subsection.