Oregon Air
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ACTION ITEM:
DEQ public comments due December 10th, 5pm
Email to: SolidWastePermitCoordinator.DEQNWR@deq.oregon.gov
  • DEQ should require Grimm’s to use 12 inches of bio cover at all times. Grimm’s is currently using 12 inches of bio cover and is still producing frequent off-site odor impacts. Reducing the bio-cover thickness to 6 inches will increase the frequency, duration, and severity of odor impacts. This is unacceptable.
  • The mailing radius that DEQ uses for post cards should extend at least as far as Grimm's odor radius, which currently exceeds one mile.
  • We demand that DEQ install automated air quality monitoring equipment at Grimm’s Fuel to gather hard data on particulate pollutants and publish this data online to track and quantify off-site air pollution impacts. We request solid data and transparency.
  • The DEQ permit should include a measurable odor standard that uses the industry-standard Nasal Ranger Field Olfactometer or equivalent.
  • If DEQ wants to consider allowing Grimm’s to switch from 12 inches of bio-cover to 6 inches, a 12-month trial period should be required first, so that DEQ can make an informed decision about whether or not 6-inches is adequate to minimize odors. Running the trial for an entire year will allow DEQ to control for inversion events and other seasonal, weather-related factors. Making a switch without a trial period is negligent, unreasonable, and reckless.
  • Before starting the 12-month trial period, DEQ should measure current odor levels as a base line in order to have something to compare to if Grimm’s makes the switch.

Oregon Air is a group of local residents who are impacted by the odors emanating from the composting operation at Grimm's Fuel in Tualatin, Oregon.

We want to breathe clean air.

What's that smell? The odors from Grimm's compost have reached Sherwood, Tualatin, King City, Tigard, Wilsonville, Beaverton, and Portland, degrading our air quality, health, property values, and the livability of our neighborhoods. Dust from the facility impacts nearby residents and businesses. Grimm's facility has a long history of fires. We demand complete mitigation of dust and odor.

What’s the solution?

The cure is aerated indoor composting where air blowers move oxygen-rich air through the compost material, eliminating the anaerobic conditions that cause the most offensive odors. All of the indoor air is then routed through an external biofilter which can eliminate the dust and reduce the remaining odors by 95% to 98%. Forced aeration is the best way to compost, and doing it inside a building is the best way to mitigate the dust and odor.

How can you help?