RCRA UpdatesG. Alan Farmer, Director

Resource Conservation and Restoration Division

EPA, Region 4

Outline:

• Rulemaking

• Guidance

• Programmatic Activities

Rulemaking

Coal Combustion Residuals Rule

• Water Infrastructure

Improvements for the Nation

(WIIN) Act- December 2016

Export- Import Revisions

• Objective of Revisions

• Apply Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) requirements to all imports and exports of hazardous waste

• Convert from paper submittals to electronic reporting

• Final rule published November 28, 2016.

• Revised rule is effective as of December 31, 2016.

Hazardous Waste Generator

Improvements Rule

• Revised the RCRA hazardous waste

generator regulations to enhance flexibility,

strengthen environmental protection, and

improve compliance

• Final rule was published on November 28,

2016.

• The Rule will be effective on May 30, 2017.

Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule

• Proposes sector specific standards for the management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals

• Healthcare facilities/pharmacies

• Pharmaceutical reverse distributors

• Proposes a ban on the sewering of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals from healthcare facilities and reverse distributors

• Status: EPA plans to finalize the Rule in 2018

E-Manifest Update

• Purpose: Allows for submittal of hazardous waste transport manifests in electronic format

• E-Manifest user fee Proposed Rule

• Status: EPA plans to publish the fee schedule in the FR on 12/18/17. Effective date is TBD.

Guidance

Post-Closure Care Guidance (Subtitle C)

• Objective

• Guide regulators in evaluating conditions at RCRA hazardous waste disposal facilities

and making adjustments to the post-closure care period.

• Status

• Guidance published on December 15, 2016

2016 RCRA Public Participation Manual

• Objective

• Focuses on public participation in permit modifications and renewals

• Highlights digital and social medial communication tools

• Status

• Guidance published on January 11, 2017

RCRA and the Retail Sector

Objective

• Develop a strategy to address the RCRA challenges faced by the retail sector.

• Consider rule changes that enable better management and recycling of hazardous waste generated by retailers

• Research retailer’s hazardous waste management practices

• Identify/evaluate potential future approaches for addressing outstanding RCRA retail sector issues

Status

• Strategy released on September 12, 2016.

• To read EPA’s strategy for addressing the retail sector under RCRA and for more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/hazardous-waste-management-and-retail-sector

Waste Fireworks

• ‘Safe Handling, Storage, and Treatment of Waste Fireworks,’ Information Memorandum, expected release in late spring 2018

• Memo draws on recommendations made by the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) and communicates safety concerns and requirements under RCRA, as well as best management practices and standard operating procedures that promote safer management of these wastes.

Programmatic

Activities

RCRA Facility Investigation Remedy Selection Track

(FIRST)

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RFI Process: Milestones and Goals

Milestones

Milestone 1: CAF Agreement

Goal: 6 months for ALL sites

Milestone 2: Approved Work Plan

Goal: 120 days or <

Milestone 3: RFI Work Plan Implemented

Goal: 3 years or <

Milestone 4: Approved RFI Report

Goal: 120 days or <

Total Process Time Goal: 4 years or <

5/12/2017 17

Determination

RFI fully supports

CMSCMS

Agreed Upon

Approval of

Remedy Selection

Issue Final

Remedy Selection

Remedy Selection Process: Milestones and Goals

Time Goal: Time Goal: Time Goal:

MILESTONE I MILESTONE II MILESTON E III

Goal for Total Process Time: 1- 2 years (for all 3 possible routes)

Possible

Routes:

No CMS

Work Plan

Focused

0 days

150 days/ 5 mos.

150 days/ 5 mos.

60 days / 2 mos.

275 days/ 9 mos.

95 days/ 3 mos.

292 days / 9 mos.

292 days/ 9 mos.

292 days/ 9 mos.

TOTAL Process Time Goal:

352 days / 1 year

717 days / 1.96 yr.

537 days / 1.47 yr.

RCRA FIRST on the Web

• For more information on RCRA FIRST, visit:

https://www.epa.gov/hw/toolbox-corrective-action-resource-conservation-

and-recovery-act-facilities-investigation-remedy

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The Built Environment(buildings, roads, bridges,

infrastructure)

Sustainable Management of

Food

Sustainable Packaging

3 Strategic Priority Areas

Additional Emphasis Areas: Sustainable Electronics Management; Lifecycle Assessment; Measurement; and International Efforts

SMM Strategic Plan for FY2017-FY2022

Questions?