USWAG Treated Wood Activities Jim Roewer, USWAG APPA Supply Management Conference May 2, 2007
Jan 14, 2016
USWAGTreated Wood Activities
Jim Roewer, USWAGAPPA Supply Management
Conference May 2, 2007
USWAG Overview
USWAG engages in regulatory advocacy pertaining to RCRA, TSCA, and HMTA USWAG’s Mission is to address the regulation of utility wastes, byproducts and materials in a manner that protects human health and the environment and is consistent with the business needs of its members Comprised of over 80 utilities, power producers, energy companies and utility trade associations
Treated WoodActivities & Goals
Working to preserve the continued availability of treated wood for industrial uses
Maintain the option of secondary use of poles & crossarms
Maintain the non-hazardous waste status of discarded treated wood
USWAG Treated Wood Guidelines
Developed in response to regulatory/policy pressuresDemonstrates industry commitment to treated wood product stewardshipConsistent with utility practicesSupports continued use of treated wood products
USWAG Treated Wood Guidelines
Purchasing Policies to Reflect Treatment StandardsEvaluate Alternatives to Treated WoodRe-Use Treated Wood Within Utility SystemProvide Notification to Secondary UseProperly Dispose of Treated Wood Explore Alternative Management Options Ensure Program AwarenessCoordinate With Other Industry Groups
Establish purchasing policies that reflect appropriate treatment standards
Companies should endeavor to have purchasing documents, specifications, or procedures requiring that new treated wood products meet AWPA standards or specific utility company requirementsAddresses bleeding, leaching concerns
Evaluate, where applicable, treated wood alternatives
Treated wood preferred productReliability & cost concerns paramountAlternatives may be used depending on specific concernsCompany-specific factors, customer needs, structural support requirements, and economic impacts affect decision
Assessment of Treated WoodandAlternate Materials for Utility Poles1010964Final Report, June 2004Prepared forElectric Power Research Institute3412 Hillview AvenuePalo Alto, California 94304EPRI Project ManagerM.E. McLearnTransmission and Distribution Soil and Water Issues
Utility Solid Waste Activities Group701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fifth FloorWashington, D.C. 20004-2696USWAG Project ManagerJ.R. RoewerUSWAG Executive Director
Reuse treated wood products within the utility system
Life extension (e.g., groundline treatment of in-service poles)Reuse of poles to reduce the amount of treated wood removed from service and purchase of new treated wood products
Ensure that secondary users are informed with regard to the proper handling, use, and disposal of treated wood products
Secondary use applications conserve natural resources and landfill space Provide information to secondary users re appropriate handling, use, and ultimate disposal Ensure stewardship through treated wood life
Secondary Use Information May Include:
Caution: This wood has been treated with an EPA registered wood preservative and may contain chromated copper arsenate, pentachlorophenol, creosote, or other registered wood preservatives Wear a dust mask and goggles when cutting or sanding treated wood Wear gloves when working with treated wood Ask for the consumer safety information sheet or other safety information that may be available
Secondary Use Information May Include:
Do not use treated wood in circumstances where there may be direct contact with domestic animals or livestock which may crib (bite) or lick the wood Do not use treated wood in circumstances where the wood may become a component of food or animal feed, such as structures or containers for storing silage or food Ensure that the treated wood is properly disposed of after its intended use. Removal and disposal by ordinary trash collection is generally acceptable, though it may advisable to check with local officials regarding proper disposal options
Arrange for proper disposal of treated wood that is not reused
Treated wood destined for disposal rather than reuse is managed in accordance with Federal and State laws governing solid waste disposal
Continue to explore and utilize alternative management options
Secondary use (sale or donation to the public) critical optionSecondary use consistent with EPA’s preferred policy of resource conservation and reuseUSWAG will explore and expand alternative reuse/recycling and disposal options
Options for Disposal/Reuse
Sale/Donation for ReuseDimensional Lumber Paper ManufactureEnergy RecoveryIncincerationChipping/CompostingLandfilling
Options for Disposal/Reuse
Sale/Donation for Reuse Most Popular Option CIS/CSIS Information Transfer End Use concerns
Options for Disposal/Reuse
Dimensional Lumber Remanufacturing Issues End Use Concerns
Paper Manufacture Preservative Extraction Issues Non-commercial Scale
Options for Disposal/Reuse
Energy Recovery Air Permitting Issues Regulation & Management of Ash
Issues
Incineration Air Permitting Issues Regulation of Ash Costs >> Energy Recovery
Options for Disposal/Reuse
Chipping/Composting Not Common Practice Use as Daily Cover Leachability Issues
Landfilling Second Most Frequently Used Option Costs = f (Landfill Capacity)
Ensure program awareness
Establish system to ensure personnel are aware of and understand the guidelinesEnsure guidelines are understood and supported at all levels of the company.
Continue to coordinate with other industry groups
Telecommunications & railroad industriesEncourage adoption of treated wood management guidelinesEnsure the proper management of treated wood products by all groups
Treated Wood Guidelines
Submitted to EPA Under review by EPA OCG, OSW, OPPTDraft MOU between EPA & USWAG Referenced in GLBTS status reportFinalization?
USWAG Goals
Preserve Use OptionsContinued Disposal as Non-hazardous WasteMaintain Secondary Use Options