2009 Important For AROW Members and Auto Recycling Industry As A Whole

2009 is here and there is a lot going on that will affect the auto recycling industry. Below is a brief summary of some of the key issues we are already aware of:

· Mercury Switch Recovery Program Reauthorizing the $3 mercury switch recovery program funding. This program has made Washington State one of the most successful mercury switch recovery programs in the nation. Washington auto recyclers have now collected over 73,000 mercury switches. Washington has consistently ranked 5th in switches recovered and recycled. Minnesota, California, Wisconsin and New York are ahead. The WA Department of Ecology continues to get new businesses signing up. There are 201 businesses are now participating in the Washington State mercury switch recovery program.

With the state having a serious budget problem - $5+ billion budget gap, funding for the mercury switch program is a big concern for the vehicle recycling industry. Will it be funded or cut in the new state budget that will be adopted by the Legislature in the first part of 2009? That’s the questions AROW members will have a BIG role in answering. Your legislators must hear from you about continuing the funding of this important program. AROW and IBA will be advising you as needed about getting the funding for this program. Watch your e-mail and fax machine for the latest information AND instructions on what YOU need to do to keep this outstanding program going in Washington State.

· New Stormwater Permit Sometime later in 2009, the WA Department of Ecology will be proposing a new state General Industrial Stormwater Permit that will apply to all vehicle recyclers with stormwater runoff. This new permit was scheduled to be adopted in April of 2008 but the old permit was renewed for another year to re-write the new permit. The proposed new permit for April 2008 had many problems for vehicle recyclers and AROW oppose it as it was proposed. The good new is, it was not adopted.

IBA’s Gary Smith has been attending a series of meetings with the Department of Ecology on what the new permit should and should not include. That process comes to an end in late January and then the Department of Ecology will begin the process of drafting the new proposed permit that will then be put out for public comment, likely adjusted as a result of the public comment and then adopted.

AROW will be keeping you informed about this important issue and advising you on what you need to do to make this permit the best possible for vehicle recyclers.