EPA Guide Outlines State Authority At Closed Hazardous Waste Landfills

摘要

EPA has released a draft guidance that gives assurances to states that regulators have the discretionary authority to lengthen the post-closure care (PCC) period beyond 30 years to require continued monitoring for potential releases at hazardous waste landfills, laying out criteria states can use to make those assessments. These criteria include accounting for the potential impacts of climate change and vapor intrusion — factors that were likely not considered when many of the facilities' permits were issued, the draft guidance says. The document also provides information to aid facility owners in preparing documents to support decisions to adjust the PCC period, according to EPA. The agency is taking public comment on the guidance until June 30.See page 2 for details. (Doc. ID: 181160) Under Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) subtitle C regulations governing hazardous waste management, owners or operators of hazardous waste disposal facilities follow PCC requirements for a 30-year period after closing a unit. But the regulations also "provide discretionary authority to the permitting authority to extend or shorten the length of the post-closure care period," Barnes Johnson, director of EPA's Office of Resource Conservation & Recovery, says in the April 29 draft guidance. PCC involves specific monitoring and maintenance activities that facility operators or owners must undertake after a waste unit is closed to ensure the integrity of waste containment systems and to prevent releases of hazardous pollutants, the guidance says.