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Grimm's Fuel

Grimm’s Fuel Company operates a composting facility that receives and processes yard debris at 18850 SW Cipole Road in Tualatin. Grimm’s has a DEQ solid waste composting facility permit for its operations. 

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Updates

May 2019

DEQ proposed to modify Grimm's Fuel Company (Grimm's) permit in March 2019. DEQ requested public comments on a proposed modification to Solid Waste Permit #1433 for the Grimm's facility. DEQ held a public hearing on Feb. 26, 2019 at 6 p.m. at the Juanita Pohl Community Center to receive verbal comments. Written comments were due by March 4, 2019 at 5 p.m. All verbal and written comments are part of the public record. 

DEQ has issued a modification to Grimm's Fuel Company solid waste disposal site permit. No.1433, for the compost facility located at 18850 SW Cipole Road, Tualatin, OR. DEQ received comments on the draft solid waste permit modification and has prepared a response to comments document to respond to the comments that DEQ received on the permit application, permit and operations plan. A copy of the signed permit, final permit evaluation memo, and response to comments are linked below. 


January 2019​​​
DEQ, in cooperation with Oregon Health Authority and Washington County Public Health, has created this fact sheet for frequently asked questions regarding the Grimm's Fuel compost facility.

​​July 2018 

DEQ issued a Notice of Civil Pena​lty Assessment and Order on July 12, 2018 for permit violations identified during a February 2018 compliance inspection.

May 2018

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue notified Grimm's on May 2 that it is in violation of Oregon Fire Code as it relates to the maximum size of compost files on its site. As a result, Grimm's is required to reduce its pile sizes to no more than 25 feet in height by May 2019. As a condition of its permit from DEQ and license from Metro, Grimm's must comply with all local codes and requirements.

DEQ notified Grimm's on May 4 that DEQ will be initiating a permit modification to include the 25-foot maximum pile height fire code requirement as a condition of the permit. Grimm's will need to submit updated operations and odor minimization plans as well as facility design and construction plans to meet the pile height reductions.

March 2018

DEQ issued a pre-enforcement notice to Grimm's on March 13, 2018 for several permit violations DEQ identified while investigating odor complains in February 2018. Violations include:

  • Leachate was being allowed to mix with stormwater in violation of the solid waste requirements.
  • Several fires had occurred at the compost facility that Grimm's had not reported to DEQ as required by the DEQ permit.
  • Grimm's was not measuring moisture content of compost as required by the DEQ permit.

DEQ has asked Grimm's to take corrective action to prevent these violations from reoccurring and has referred these violations to DEQ's Office of Compliance and Enforcement for enforcement evaluation.

DEQ is working with Metro and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue to identify additional actions for Grimm's to take to address offsite odor issues.​


​​​DEQ issued a new permit to Grimm’s in November 2015.

Background: DEQ offered a draft permit for public comment on Sept. 30, 2013 and held a public hearing on Oct. 30, 2013. Due to the level of community interest, DEQ extended the public comment period to Nov. 20, 2013. In response to the comments, DEQ made revisions to the draft permit, and issued it on May 1, 2014. Grimm’s appealed the permit. DEQ revised conditions of the permit and initiated an additional public comment period on June 2, 2015. DEQ held a public hearing on the latest draft compost permit on July 8, 2015. DEQ responded to comments received and issued a new compost permit to Grimm’s Fuel on Nov. 20, 2015.

Permit documentation

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