Regulatory Updates

USE BEP SERVICES IN 2024!

The BEP team loves helping Nevada businesses achieve compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations by offering free and confidential consultations, facility site-visits, workshops, customized training for your staff, and more.  Confused about how to comply with air quality regulations? From general questions, such as if a generator is small enough to be classified as an insignificant activity, to more complex questions about emissions calculations and permitting requirements, the BEP air team is happy to help.  Working one-on-one, BEP helps businesses come …

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Compliance Resource: ECHO Tool

Have you heard of EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online tool, known as ECHO? You can use ECHO to view a history of your business’s compliance and enforcement data for a variety regulations, including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Watch a previously recorded webinar or sign up for an upcoming webinar here to learn how to use this tool.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards Change for Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

On February 7, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule which makes changes to the national air quality health standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). By setting a stricter standard for the amount of PM2.5 allowed in the air at 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter, the EPA aims to improve public health based on the latest scientific evidence.  However, some standards, like those for PM2.5 over a 24-hour period and PM10, remain the same. The EPA also plans to update the Air …

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EPA to Host Webinar on the Five Chemicals Being Prioritized for Risk Evaluation Under TSCA – February 20, 2024 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm EST

There will be an opportunity for participants to share comments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a webinar on February 20, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST on the five chemicals currently undergoing prioritization under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The webinar is open to all, but EPA is particularly interested in learning more about how these chemicals are used and how people could potentially be exposed at different points in a chemical’s lifecycle. EPA is …

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Update on Proposed Changes for Commercial Sterilization Facilities and Ethylene Oxide Emissions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed amendments in April, 2023 to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Commercial Sterilization Facilities. The proposed changes include addressing risks and technology reviews, specifically focusing on ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from point sources and room air emissions. Additionally, the EPA wants to correct and clarify regulations related to emissions during startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM), proposing work practice standards for SSM periods. The proposal also suggests revisions to monitoring and performance testing requirements …

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Proposed Clarifications to the Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit Program

On December 13, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule to clarify the relationship between the Clean Air Act (CAA) title V operating permit program and certain types of “applicable requirements” established under different sections of the CAA.  The proposed rule would: (1) ensure that applicable requirements established in different CAA programs are treated consistently in title V permits across the nation; (2) incentivize permitting authorities to offer opportunities for meaningful public involvement in NSR permitting actions; (3) respect the …

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Partial Withdraw of Technical Corrections made to RCRA Regulations

As referenced in our September 2023 Newsletter the EPA issued a rule correcting typographical errors and citations, and clarifying ambiguous language in approximately 50 sections of the federal hazardous waste regulations. As of December 6, 2023, 8 amendments were withdrawn due to adverse comments received on the rule. Read the withdrawn amendments in the Federal Register here. Please note that the issued rule will not be recognized in the State of Nevada until the State completes an update to its adoption by reference …

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Biennial Reporting Assistance: Weekly Office Hours and One-on-One Appointments

Kat Olson is hosting open office hours and offering one-on-one appointments through Zoom to help Large Quantity Generators and Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities with completing and submitting their Biennial Report for the 2023 reporting year. The Biennial Report is due on Friday, March 1st, 2024, so don’t wait! Come with your questions, RCRAInfo login information, manifests, and other reports. Screen share will be available to better assist you. One-on-one appointments can be scheduled here. Open office hours are weekly …

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Join waitlist: Biennial Reporting workshops

The Biennial Reporting Workshops scheduled for Reno on Tuesday, January 9 and for Las Vegas on Thursday, January 11 are full. Join the waitlists for the workshops today by emailing Kat Olson at katolson@unr.edu. Additional courses may be added based on demand. If you generated at a large quantity generator (LQG) status (greater than 2,200 lbs of hazardous waste in a calendar month) for any month during 2023, you must complete a biennial report through RCRAInfo. These free workshops will …

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