CSI's Rhys Roth joined our project partners and Study Tour alumni in supporting HB 3246 in Salem this week. This groundbreaking bill would be the first-of-its-kind legislation to empower Industrial Symbiosis efforts in Oregon!
Industrial symbiosis is a ground-breaking approach to infrastructure and economic development, where one facility’s waste streams – energy, water, materials – become valuable resources for other businesses. Industrial symbiosis optimizes resource use to reduce waste, enhance environmental outcomes, and strengthen local economies.
On March 12th 2025, Rhys testified alongside industry leaders, Debbie Radie of Boardman Foods; Amy Wentworth of Pacific Seafoods; Alando Simpson of COR Disposal and Recycling; as well as Klamath County Commissioner, Kelley Minty, in support of HB3246.
HB 3246 directs the state’s economic development agency, Business Oregon, to develop a plan to identify:
voluntary industrial symbiosis opportunities
best practices and technologies
barriers to adoption
In addition, a current amendment to HB3246 would provide technical assistance for up to six communities to evaluate and prioritize industrial symbiosis infrastructure projects and develop next steps. If passed, the bill would support a number of projects already underway:
The Port of Astoria plans to connect two seafood processers to capture and reuse water while recovering valuable byproducts - reducing waste, creating marketable goods, and eliminating harmful sludge. (Led by Matt McGrath, Port of Astoria)
COR Campus in East Portland will serve as a hub where climate tech entrepreneurs collaborate with R&D partners to develop methods for converting waste into raw materials for sustainable industry. (Led by Alando Simpson, COR Disposal and Recycling)
Klamath County will lead a project to convert harmful algae overgrowth harvested from local lakes into feedstock, which can support industries including agricultural fertilizer, biofuel, heating, and carbon sequestration. (Led by Kelley Minty, Klamath County Commissioner)
The bipartisan bill was brought to the floor by Representatives Ken Helm and Bobby Levy:
"[This bill] ensures Oregon remains a leader in sustainable business practices”
– Oregon Representative Bobby Levy (R-58)
“One thing we’ve tried to make abundantly clear in the bill is it’s voluntary, there’s no regulatory compunction here, no mandatory anything. It’s all voluntary and we hope…it incentivizes good work”
– Oregon Representative Ken Helm (D-27)
Rhys used his testimony to describe one of the most exciting industrial symbiosis examples to come out of Washington state, the Pasco Water Reuse Facility and the Resource Recovery Center. According to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, the Pasco project introduced “two 34-million-gallon anaerobic digesters breaking down organic matter in the wastewater while also producing biogas to be turned into renewable natural gas for local use. A greenhouse filtration system will use algae to recover nitrogen while also capturing carbon dioxide”.
Check out the written testimonies here:
Rhys Roth - Center for Sustainable Infrastructure
Debbie Radie - Boardman Foods
Amy Wentworth - Pacific Seafoods
Alando Simpson - COR Disposal and Recycling
Tracey Rainey - Clean Water Services
Duke Shepard - Oregon Business and Industry
Jim McCauley - League of Oregon Cities
Marcus Hinz - Oregon Coast Visitors Association
Matt McGrath - Port of Astoria
Erin Childs - Renewable Hydrogen Alliance
David Wall - Mr Oregon
Check out this video of the full hearing to learn more:
Comments