Committee hears bill to fund industrial symbiosis roadmap, $1.3 million for pilot assistance

The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade opened a public hearing March 12 on House Bill 3246, which would direct the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon) to develop an industrial symbiosis roadmap and — in a dash-3 amendment — establish a pilot technical-assistance program with an appropriation of $1,300,000.

Supporters told the committee the measure is voluntary and aimed at helping businesses, ports and municipal utilities analyze ways to turn byproducts and waste streams into productive inputs for other industries. "What the bill has two components: one is a report and roadmap on how industrial symbiosis can move forward in the state, and the second is a competitive grant process with a little bit of boost money behind that," said Representative Ken Helm, House District 27, one of the bill sponsors.

The dash-3 amendment expands the bill's definition and goals for industrial symbiosis, directs Business Oregon to run a pilot program offering technical assistance and sets selection criteria for pilots. Under the amendment, pilot communities would receive help with planning and design of symbiosis projects, convening community and industry meetings, and identifying infrastructure opportunities. Business Oregon is directed to select pilot communities that reflect geographic and…