Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waste Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chem Waste presents Kettleman Hills quarterly report; permit decision, appeals and county revenue implications discussed
Summary
A Chem Waste representative briefed the board Jan. 14 on Kettleman Hills operations, community events, and a draft DTSC Part B permit that could be issued in March with a 30-day appeal period; the presentation noted possible county revenue effects if DTSC allows more non-RCRA materials to go to local subtitle D landfills.
Administration introduced a quarterly operations report for the Kettleman Hills facility and a Chem Waste representative, Bob Henry, delivered the presentation.
Henry reviewed outreach and sponsorship activities from the Oct. 8–Jan. 13 reporting period, noted that monthly unannounced facility inspections found no violations, and described the State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Part B permit process. He told the board that DTSC published a draft permit and, based on DTSC’s public schedule, a final permit decision could come in March; if a permit is issued there is a 30-day appeal window during which parties could file appeals to the DTSC or the Board of Environmental Safety.
Henry flagged an operational issue that could affect county revenues: DTSC is exploring whether some non-RCRA (non-hazardous but contaminated) soils could be disposed in local subtitle D landfills rather than at facilities accepting RCRA hazardous wastes. The speaker illustrated the revenue effect with an example: "If I'm getting paid 50 a ton, you're getting $5 a ton," indicating that county tonnage-based revenue would fall if volumes were diverted elsewhere. He said appeal hearings (if any) could take several months to a year depending on scheduling.
Henry also discussed capacity and handling for fire-related debris and noted that some Southern California landfills and transfer stations are under strain after recent fires; he said Kettleman Hills has been expanding truck lanes and intake capacity in response to increased regional flows. Board members asked questions about competing facilities, classification of wastes, and the potential tonnage impacts; Henry responded with details about facility classes (RCRA, TSCA, MSW, subtitle D) and past experience accepting fire debris.
No formal action to change county policy was taken at the meeting; the board moved to accept the report and provide direction to staff for follow-up.
