Regulatory Updates

US EPA Approves Copper Surfaces As The First Product with Residual Claims Against Coronavirus

Did you know the US EPA tests materials – such as copper alloy surfaces – to substantiate claims of effectiveness against viruses? Recently, the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention announced the first amended registration to the Copper Development Association for an emerging viral pathogen claim to be added to the label of Antimicrobial Copper Alloys-Group 1 (EPA Reg No. 82012-1). What does this mean? It means the surface of the copper alloy, made up of at least 95.6 % copper, can …

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New BEP Fact Sheet Available

Large Quantity Generators: Contingency Plan Quick Reference Guide When the State of Nevada updated its hazardous waste regulatory program in August 2020, many provisions from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s 2016 Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule were adopted. While numerous provisions in that rule provide greater flexibility for hazardous waste generators, there are a few new provisions that are more stringent and require action on the part of generators. One such new provision is the requirement for the large quantity …

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Attention Dry Cleaners: US EPA Open Forum TOMORROW on Thursday, April 22nd

US EPA Office of Air Quality and Planning Standards just announced last Friday that the agency will behosting a roundtable discussion tomorrow, on Thursday, April 22nd, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm EST, regarding anew Dry Cleaning air quality regulatory rulemaking. As required by the Clean Air Act, EPA will be performingan 8-year technology review for the current rule, Dry Cleaning Facilities: National Perchloroethylene AirEmission Standards. EPA is under a consent decree to propose a new rule by December 1, …

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US EPA Launches e-Manifest Newsletter

For those who generate, transport, or receive hazardous wastes regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the US EPA has launched a quarterly newsletter focused on the e-Manifest system. Intended to help the EPA meet its goal to provide “robust and engaging communication with stakeholders”, the newsletter covers updates, announces reports on advisory board meetings that are open to the public, and links for more information including upcoming webinars. The first issue, Winter 2021, includes articles about the new “Quick …

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Nevada’s Chemical Accident Protection Program

Does your facility need a CAPP permit? If you are a business in Nevada that works with highly hazardous substances such as Ammonia, Chlorine, Mercury, Methane, or others, you might need a permit with the Chemical Accident Prevention Program (CAPP). Administered by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Air Pollution Control, CAPP requires two permits for facilities across the state that use highly hazardous substances: a construction permit and an operating permit.CAPP is designed to make sure that facilities with …

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New Air Testing Determination System Effective February 1st

On February 1, 2021, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s Air Program announced a new Testing Determination System (TDS). The TDS is a standardized method the Air Program uses to determine air quality operating permit testing requirements based on a facility’s Potential-to-Emit (PTE), operating parameters, and compliance history. Beginning with the initial phase announced on February 1st, the new TDS applies to baghouses controlling non-combustion emission units.  Additional phases for other air pollution controls and emission units are planned for future development.   Implementation …

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State and Local Emissions Inventory System (SLEIS) Annual Emissions Submissions Due April 2, 2021

On February 8, 2021, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) Air Program announced the beginning of the annual emissions reporting season for calendar year 2020. For facilities holding NDEP air quality operating permits, the State and Local Emission Inventory System (SLEIS) has been populated with each facility’s permit information as it existed on December 31, 2020 and the system is ready for data entry. NDEP has extended the deadline for reporting to Friday, April 2, 2021.  When announcing that the …

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New Option in Nevada: Waiver with Written Approval on 50 feet Boundary for Ignitable and Reactive Waste Accumulations

With the adoption of updated regulations, the State of Nevada is now allowing Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) to store hazardous waste containers in their 90-day accumulation area within 50 feet of the property line IF a written approval is obtained from the local fire code authority. You must retain this approval for the entire time the waste is stored closer to 50 feet from the property line. CLICK HERE to review the details of the new option. Have questions on how this could apply at …

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Petition to add 1-BP to CAA list of toxics signed

On June 12, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator signed a final notice to grant a petition to add 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) to the Clean Air Act (CAA) list of air toxics. Once this substance is added, the EPA may revise or create new emission standards for source categories that emit 1-BP.  Use of 1-BP has increased over the past two decades. It is used as a solvent in many industries and products such as aerosol glues, asphalt production, synthetic …

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EPA Bans Consumer Sales of Methylene Chloride Paint Removers

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to prohibit the manufacture (including import), processing and distribution of methylene chloride in all paint removers for consumer use. EPA has taken this action because of the acute fatalities that have resulted from exposure to the chemical. After analyzing the health impacts and listening to affected families, EPA is taking action to stop the use of this chemical in paint removers intended for consumers. EPA’s commitment to ensure that chemicals in …

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