438th Regular Meeting of the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission
This meeting was held by Zoom and in-person at the Portland DEQ headquarters.
Location:
700 NE Multnomah Street
Portland, OR 97232
3rd Floor Conference Room
Thursday, July 10, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
9 a.m.
Welcome and meeting open
The commission will open the meeting and review the day's agenda.
9:05 a.m.
Item A: Draft Meeting Minutes (Action)
Commissioners will review and take action on proposed draft minutes from the May 2025 regular meeting.
9:10 a.m.
Item B: Clean Truck Rules 2025 (Action)
DEQ will propose permanent rule changes to the Clean Truck Rules, which establish more stringent emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers. The Clean Truck Rules consist of two California rules, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule and the Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus Rule (HD Omnibus). The ACT Rule proposed changes would incorporate recent California updates to provide more compliance flexibilities, including additional time to meet the first year's sales target, streamlining the truck sales reporting requirement, and confirming that the cleanest diesel engines do not generate deficits. The HD Omnibus Rule proposed changes would delay implementation of the rule.
10:10 a.m.
Item C: Greenhouse Gas Reporting Fee Adjustment (Action)
DEQ will propose temporary rules establishing changes to the fees assessed to companies subject to Greenhouse Gas Reporting requirements. These fees have not been adjusted since 2010 and have not been able to match the costs of the program. The 2025 legislature authorized the commission to adjust the fees to support the current costs to operate the program, and a temporary rule is needed so that the commission can take action in time for the updated fees to go into operation later this year.
10:40 a.m.
Break
10:55 a.m.
Item D: Legislative Session and Budget Update (Informational)
DEQ will present the budget and policy outcomes of the 2025 legislative session that impact DEQ and the commission.
11:55 a.m.
Working lunch and executive session
The commission will hold a working lunch and executive session, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(a), (f) and (h). Per state law, members of the media may attend executive session; however, they may not report on the specifics or details of any discussions or information presented during executive session. To request access as a member of the media, please email Lindsay Trapp by 12 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025.
1:15 p.m.
Item E: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Strategic Plan (Informational)
DEQ will provide an update on the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Strategic Plan, which focuses on strengthening scientific understanding, managing existing contamination, and preventing future pollution to address the risks associated with PFAS. This presentation will highlight the plan's vision, objective, goals, current actions, and next steps.
1:45 p.m.
Item F: Cleanup Program PFAS 2025 Rulemaking (Informational)
DEQ will present an overview of the Environmental Cleanup Program and a preview of the proposed rulemaking to designate some PFAS compounds as hazardous substances in Oregon.
2:30 p.m.
Break
2:45 p.m.
Item G: Public Forum
The commission will hold a comment opportunity for any environmental and public health issues relevant to DEQ and EQC. Sign-ups to comment will occur shortly before the start of this agenda item, and people are asked to limit comments to two minutes or less. Comment times may be reduced at the discretion of the commission. The commission cannot accept comment on the following proposed rules:
- Cleanup Program PFAS 2025 Rulemaking
- Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking
- Water Quality Fees 2025
3:45 p.m.
Adjourn meeting
Friday, July 11, 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
9 a.m.
Welcome and meeting open
The commission will open the meeting and review the day's agenda.
9:05 a.m.
Item H: Volatile Organic Compounds 2025 Rulemaking (Informational)
DEQ will provide an overview of a proposed rulemaking to develop standards that will limit the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in consumer products and architectural coatings sold in Oregon. This rulemaking will pro-actively address the issue of ground-level ozone pollution in Oregon by reducing emissions of VOCs, which can act as precursors to ozone formation. The proposed rules would largely apply to products that are used in and around households and in construction and would not typically apply to manufacturing and industrial settings.
10:05 a.m.
Item I: Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking (Informational)
DEQ will present information about a proposed rulemaking that will include multiple changes to the Onsite Wastewater Management Program. This rulemaking will address two key issues stemming from the 2023 legislative session, during which two bills were passed that relate to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and sewer availability: Senate Bill 835, focused on ADUs, and Senate Bill 931, focused on sewer availability. Additionally, the rulemaking covers topics such as variances and the variance denial appeal process, nutrient and nitrate loading considerations, and operation and maintenance requirements. The scope of this rulemaking also includes housekeeping edits to clarify existing rules, incorporate plain language, remove outdated terms and regulations, and align with industry standards and the protection of public and environmental health.
10:50 a.m.
Break
11:05 a.m.
Item J: Individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits Backlog (Informational)
DEQ will present an overview of the current progress in reducing the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) individual permit backlog, including actions taken under the Consent Judgement for NPDES individual permits. This presentation will cover the permit development process and metrics used to track it, and will share information about current and anticipated improvement opportunities.
11:50 a.m.
Item K: Director's Report (Informational)
DEQ will present written and verbal updates on agency activities and other issues of interest to the commission.
12:45 p.m.
Adjourn meeting