Regulatory Updates

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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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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Updated Factsheets Available for Download

As part of our Resource Library, BEP maintains numerous factsheets on hazardous waste management to help your facility understand the regulations and stay in compliance. Several factsheets have been amended to include more up to date information, including Used Oil Management for Generators, Contingency Plans, and others. Do you need more detailed information on certain hazardous waste topics? Check out our list of factsheets here.

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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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.

US EPA Amends Two Air Toxics Standards to Remove Affirmative Defense Provisions

On October 16, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final amendments to two air toxics regulations, the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Oil and Natural Gas Production and the NESHAP for Natural Gas Transmission and Storage. These rules aim to control hazardous air pollutants, which can cause cancer and other serious health problems.

US EPA New Final Rule for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels – Including Petroleum Storage Vessels: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)

Earlier this month, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to strengthen the new source performance standards (NSPS) for volatile organic liquid storage vessels, including those used for petroleum liquids. These amendments aim to further reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fulfill the EPA’s obligation under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to review emission standards regularly, reflecting advancements in pollution control technology. The updates include stricter standards for VOC emissions from storage vessels, particularly those with floating …

Read MoreUS EPA New Final Rule for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels – Including Petroleum Storage Vessels: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)