Council seeks comment on toxics law expansion.Byline: Edward Russo The Register-Guard The Eugene City Council wants to hear what the public has to say about expanding its one-of-a-kind hazardous waste Hazardous waste Any solid, liquid, or gaseous waste materials that, if improperly managed or disposed of, may pose substantial hazards to human health and the environment. Every industrial country in the world has had problems with managing hazardous wastes. reporting program. Trying to address the program's inequitable fee structure, councilors voted 4-2 on Monday to consider adding more types of businesses that would be required to report their hazardous waste use. But councilors stressed that they have not made up their minds whether to expand the program. The public will have a chance to comment on the proposal at a Feb. 14 council meeting. "I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. where I will ultimately come down on the ordinance A law, statute, or regulation enacted by a Municipal Corporation. An ordinance is a law passed by a municipal government. A municipality, such as a city, town, village, or borough, is a political subdivision of a state within which a municipal corporation has been ," Councilor coun·cil·or also coun·cil·lor n. A member of a council, as one convened to advise a governor. See Usage Note at council. coun David Kelly  This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling.You can assist by [ editing it] now. said. State and federal regulations require certain businesses to report hazardous or toxic chemical Any chemical which, through its chemical action on life processes, can cause death, temporary incapacitation, or permanent harm to humans or animals. This includes all such chemicals, regardless of their origin or of their method of production, and regardless of whether they are produced use. In Eugene, manufacturing firms that use more than 2,640 pounds of chemicals annually have to report their use, but other manufacturing firms help pay for the monitoring program, too. Eugene is the only city in the nation to have a local reporting requirement. The program, which costs $100,000 to run, is supported by fees assessed manufacturers. However, last year the Legislature placed a $2,000 cap on what any single business would be required to pay. As a result, the city dramatically increased the fees it charged 62 small and medium-sized manufacturers while it lowered the fees for 11 large companies. Seventy-three manufacturing companies pay into the program but only 40 meet the reporting threshold. To correct the inequity, the council unanimously agreed with City Manager Dennis Taylor's recommendation to seek a repeal The Annulment or abrogation of a previously existing statute by the enactment of a later law that revokes the former law. The revocation of the law can either be done through an express repeal of the cap in the Legislature. The city's lobbyist, Jason Heuser, told councilors that chances appear good of getting a repeal passed by the state Senate, though the outlook is less certain in the House of Representatives. Councilor Betty Taylor made the successful motion to advance the proposed expansion of the reporting requirement to include such firms as gas stations, auto body shops and dry cleaners. Councilors Jennifer Solomon and George Poling opposed the motion. Poling said expanding the program beyond manufacturing firms would be contrary to the purpose of the toxics right-to-know program, approved by voters in 1996. Councilor Chris Pryor, attending his first council work session, said he wasn't thrilled thrill v. thrilled, thrill·ing, thrills v.tr. 1. To cause to feel a sudden intense sensation; excite greatly. 2. To give great pleasure to; delight. See Synonyms at enrapture. with having to decide whether to expand regulations and fees on businesses "on the first day on the job," but noted that the council will hear what the public has to say before acting. Later Monday, councilors elected Poling council president and Solomon vice president. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion