RCRA Updates: Proposed Hazardous Waste

Generator Rule

Matt Shanahan, CHMM

2016

The Resource Conservation and

Recovery Act of 1976

Originally conceived as a law

addressing municipal trash

disposal, Subtitle C of RCRA was

included to give the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) the authority to regulate

hazardous waste. This includes

the generation, transportation,

treatment, storage, and disposal

of hazardous waste. RCRA and

Generators.

RCRA and Generators

►Hazardous Waste Generator Program evaluated –

2004

►Hazardous Waste Determination Program

evaluation – 2013

►Hazardous Waste Generator Proposed Rule -

2015

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History of the Proposed Rule

► Reorganize the regulations to make them more user friendly

and enable improved compliance

► Provide greater flexibility for hazardous waste generators to

manage waste in a cost-effective manner

► Strengthen environmental protection by addressing identified

gaps in the regulations

► Clarify certain components of the hazardous waste generator

program to address ambiguities and foster improved

compliance

Goals of the Proposed Rule

► CESQGs shipping to LQGs

► CESQGs shipping to LQGs

► Waste Determinations

► Episodic Generation

► Emergency Planning

► Increased Labeling

► Closure Requirements

Key Proposed Changes

► CESQG’s and LQG’s must be under the control of the

same person

► CESQG to be called VSQG

► Eliminate RCRA permit requirement to accept CESQG’s

waste

► Additional option for CESQG’s to manage their waste

► Increased training and documentation

CESQGs shipping to LQGs

► 2013 evaluation revealed high non-compliance rate (34% of

waste determinations incorrect)

► CESQG facilities in Kansas (21% non-compliant)

Proposed Improvements

► Waste determinations must be made at point of generation

► Document non-hazardous waste determinations (17 states

already require this)

► Hazardous Waste Determination Decision Tool (Web-based?)

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Waste Determination

► Only allowed once a year

► Would not change current generator status

► Would not have to complete biennial requirement

► Notification of planned and unplanned events

► Labeling requirement for accumulation of episodic waste

(“Episodic Hazardous Waste”, Contents, Hazard, Date)

► 45 days from initiation and completion of episodic event

Episodic Generation for VSQG’s and SQG’s

► Only applicable to LQG’s and SQG’s

► Require generators to make arrangements with local

LEPC’s first

► Clearer language on what/where emergency equipment

is required

► NEW LQG’s to submit executive summary to LEPC rather

than full Contingency plans

Emergency Planning and Preparedness

► Applicable to SQG’s, LQG’s and Transporters

► Marking containers with hazardous waste codes

► During accumulation and pre-transport

► Container labels must indicate the hazards of the

contents of the containers (DOT, NFPA, “ignitable”)

► Updated CAA and SAA

Labeling Changes

Comparison Table

Label Requirement Current CAA Proposed CAA Current SAA Proposed SAA

Words “Hazardous Waste”

Yes Yes Yes, or identification of contents

Yes

Identification of Contents

No Yes Yes, or “Hazardous Waste”

Yes

Identification of Hazards

No Yes No Yes

Waste Codes No Prior to shipment No No

Accumulation Start Date

Yes Yes At excess accumulation

At excess accumulation

► Require closure as landfill for when LQG’s accumulating

in containers fail to clean close

► Notification to EPA or authorized state 30 days prior to closing an accumulation area (container, tank)

► or within 90 days after closure of unit or facility

Closure Requirements

More stringent:

► Documenting hazardous waste determinations

► SQG re-notification

► Identifying risks of wastes being accumulated & labeling

► Notification of closure

► Executive summary for contingency plans

Less stringent

► CESQG consolidation

► Episodic generation

► Waiver from 50-foot rule

Stringency of Proposed Rule

EPA Considers certain proposed provisions to be more

stringent than current regulations

► More stringent regulations – all states will be required to adopt

the final rule

► Less stringent regulations – states may but are not required to

adopt federal regulations

No final authorization on base State RCRA program

► Will be effective in these states on the effective date for the final

rule, even before the state adopts it State Adoption

State Adoption

► Rule signed on Aug. 31, 2015

► Publication in Federal Register –Sep. 25 2015

► Public comment period-60 days (ended 12/24/2015)

► EPA reviews public comments and commences work on final

rule

► Effective date/State adoption & authorization

Rule Process & Schedule

Questions?

mshanahan@burnsmcd.com

(816) 349-6646