Administrator

New US EPA Webpage on Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, contain both nicotine and lithium batteries, making them a hazardous waste when disposed of. The EPA posted a new webpage to help schools and other agencies who may not typically generate hazardous waste dispose of e-cigarettes safely and according to regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The webpage provides step-by-step instructions for safely storing e-cigarettes, determining your generator status, and identifying disposal options. Check out the new webpage here, and contact BEP with your …

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Virtual Working Session: Best Practices and Labeling Large-Format Batteries

The US EPA is hosting a webinar to gather input on best practices for collecting large-format batteries to increase recycling, as well as labeling batteries to improve collection and recycling. Large format batteries are rechargeable batteries over 25 pounds or more than 200 watt-hours and often used in electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine vehicles; other motive equipment; and stationary energy storage systems. Register at the link below:

Lee M. Zeldin Sworn in as 17th EPA Administrator

On January 29, 2025, Lee Zeldin was sworn in as the 17th Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Administrator Zeldin will work closely with the dedicated career officials at the agency to fulfill the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment.  Read the press release.

US EPA issues final rule on banning Trichloroethylene (TCE)

In December 2024, the US EPA issued a final rule regulating TCE. The rule bans the manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for all uses, with longer compliance timeframes and stringent worker protections for some processing and industrial and commercial uses until the prohibitions come into effect. The EPA will prohibit most TCE uses, including manufacturing and commercial processing, within one year, protecting consumers and workers. Limited industrial uses will be phased out over longer timeframes …

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US EPA signs a final rule on banning perchloroethylene (PCE)

Signed on December 20th, 2024, the final rule addresses the technology review of the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Facilities (referred to as the PCE Dry Cleaning NESHAP). The PCE Dry Cleaning NESHAP was finalized in 1993 and applies to major and area sources of dry cleaners that use the chemical perchloroethylene (PCE) in the U.S.   A recently finalized action issued by EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) prohibits the …

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Action Required for Small and Large Quantity Hazardous Waste Generators in e-Manifest

Beginning January 22, 2025, large and small quantity generators are required to register and maintain an account as an e-Manifest user in RCRAInfo with Site Manager or e-Manifest Certifier permissions to meet the regulatory changes of the final Third Rule, published by the EPA earlier this year. Activities to be conducted through RCRAInfo include: Registering as an industry user can be done here. For assistance with registration, contact Kat Olson at 775-834-3674 or katolson@unr.edu. Additionally, NDEP’s webpage on the RCRAInfo Software contains step by step instructions for registration and provides details …

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Call for Project Pitches from the NSF Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine

$100,000–$250,000 in funding is available | Deadline: December 6th The NSF Engines: Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE) leadership team has announced that the new Innovation Grant program is now open and accepting project pitches through Friday, December 6, 2024. This funding opportunity is designed to support innovative projects that address critical challenges in sustainability, focusing on solutions in the energy, water, and carbon sectors. The Innovation Grant is catalyzed by the NSF Innovation Engines program and provides non-dilutive funding ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 to …

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US EPA Finalizes Amendments to Toxic Air Standards for Rubber Tire Manufacturing

On November 13, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for rubber tire manufacturing. These updates address previously unregulated hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from the rubber processing subcategory, ensuring compliance with Clean Air Act requirements for this industry. This action is expected to reduce emissions of total hydrocarbons (THC) and filterable particulate matter (fPM) by about 171 tons annually. Read more about the final rule here.

BEP is Awarded Pollution PreventioN Grant

Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law On October 30th, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced the selectees of the 2024-2025 Pollution Prevention Grants. The newly announced grant is part of a nationwide initiative to reduce pollution by limiting it at its sources. The Nevada Business Environmental Program is one of 48 agencies nationally that received a total of nearly $19 million for pollution-prevention projects, and the $350,000 grant to the Nevada program is among the largest.  The University of Nevada …

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