EPA Revises Hazardous Waste Generator and TSD Regulations

April 10, 2006

At the same time, this rule strives to relieve hazardous waste generators and TSDs of several paperwork burdens. The final rule clarifies certain requirements and eliminates or simplifies other requirements. EPA eliminated paperwork requirements if they entail information that is obscure, inconsequential, or infrequently submitted to or used by the agency. Note, however, that the final rule does not curtail the right of regulatory agencies to request any information desired. Waste handlers must continue to keep on-site records of their waste management activities and make them available to regulators when requested. As such, the rule does not limit regulators' or the public's ability to learn what is happening at a facility.

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The rule includes categories or groups of changes: 1) The amount of time records must be kept; 2) certification by a professional engineer; 3) option to follow the Integrated Contingency Plan Guidance; 4) option to follow the OSHA regulations for emergency training; 5) clarifications and elimination of obsolete regulatory language; 6) elimination of selected recordkeeping and reporting requirements; 7) decreased self-inspection frequency for selected hazardous waste management units; 8) selected changes to the requirements for record retention and submittal of records; 9) changes to the requirements for document submittal; and 10) reduced frequency for report submittals.

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DOT Wants Your Comments on the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook

.á Here are some suggestions for you to add to your list: 1) include ERG numbers on the hazardous material table; 2) add international hazard symbols to each guide page; 

Public Comment Period Extended on Proposed Fine Particle Standards

 

EPA announced a 90-day extension to the public comment period for its proposal on how best to implement any new standards that may result from the recently proposed revisions to the particulate matter air quality standards. EPA proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter on Jan. 17, 2006. The comment period for the proposed revisions to the NAAQS for particulate matter has not changed and will close on April 17, 2006. On Feb. 9, 2006, EPA proposed an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comment on implementing the possible new standards.

Since publication of the Feb. 9 notice, EPA received several requests for additional time to submit comments on the implementation proposal. Therefore, the public comment period is being extended for 90 days and will now end on July 10, 2006, rather than on April 10, 2006.

 The notice announces that the agency will seek comment on key implementation issues to ensure that all points of view are considered by EPA.

 

Residual Risk Modifications to Industrial Process Cooling Tower NESHAP

On September 8, 1994, EPA promulgated national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for industrial process cooling towers. The rule prohibit