Washington Senate passes bill to funnel industrial waste into nearby facilities as energy

February 17, 2020 7:22 PM

Zach Walls,

Posted: February 17, 2020 7:22 PM

by Zach Walls

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Senate passed a bill to establish a statewide industrial-siting coordination program. The program is based on industrial symbiosis, the process of utilizing the waste product of one facility to power a different, nearby facility.

Senate Bill 6430 was introduced by Senator Sharon Brown of Kennewick

The concept currently reaps tremendous economic benefits for the city of Kalundborg, Denmark, which inspired Brown’s proposal.

“Industry and environmental concerns don’t have to be in conflict,” said Brown in a release. “As we have seen in Denmark, where this idea originated, we can bring both sides together if we do the work.”

If passed into law, the bill would create a Department of Commerce-administered program that brings expertise, technical practices, and best practices together to support local industrial symbiosis projects.

Additionally, the bill establishes a grant program for research into waste exchange ideas.

The bill now awaits the consideration of the House of Representatives.