NORA Meets With OMB, EPA Regarding Revised Proposal
NORA concerned by arbitrary 'liquids to liquids' only comparison that would unfairly affect used oil recyclers

Washington, DC (May 31, 2012) – NORA representatives met with officials from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and White House Council on Environmental Quality on Thursday, May 31 regarding EPA’s revised proposal from December 23, 2011, entitled "Commercial and Solid Waste Incineration Units: Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials That Are Solid Waste.”

The proposal would classify certain non-hazardous secondary materials, including off-spec used oil, as solid waste-derived fuels and create potential long-term risks to the on-spec used oil recycling market.

NORA issued comments on the EPA revised proposal in February 2012, and the final rule is likely to be released this summer. NORA is concerned that EPA is considering used oil differently because of its liquid properties. As such, NORA requested a meeting with OMB, which is charged with reviewing language for EPA rules.

"This meeting was important to alert federal officials that EPA will be releasing a rule that may only allow comparison of fuels that exist in the same physical form,” said NORA Executive Director Scott D. Parker. "This restriction is only applicable to used oil and would mean that liquid fuels may only be compared to liquid fuels for contaminants comparison purposes. If this restriction is included in the final rule, NORA members would be the victims of an arbitrary rule that would adversely and unfairly affect the used oil market.”

NORA representatives included Parker, Senior Consultant Jack Waggener and Douglas Green of the Venable Law Firm. NORA’s General Counsel, Christopher Harris, was heavily involved in preparations for the meeting.

Click here to view NORA’s comments on the revised proposal.

NORA will keep its members fully apprised of any developments on this important issue.

About NORA
NORA, An Association of Responsible Recyclers represents over 280 leading companies involved in responsibly recycling used oil and related materials that would otherwise negatively impact the environment. NORA members work every day to ensure that more than a billion gallons per year of used oil and related materials are collected, recycled and given another useful life. NORA has been defending and promoting the industry since 1985. For more information on NORA, visit www.noranews.org.

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