United suues CcmmunicatiQns, Education, Environmental Protection And Public Affairs Agency ^ (1703) ^^^^ Note to Correspondents FOR RELEASE: TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1994 EPA today proposed expanding opportunities for the public to participate in the permitting .of all hazardous waste facilities, including incinerators and other hazardous waste burners. At the same time, the agency released and is seeking public comment on two draft documents — the first its basic waste minimization blueprint for reducing the amount of hazardous waste generated and the second, a technical analysis that ultimately will lead to more stringent emissions controls on dioxins and particulate matter. Under the proposed rule on public involvement, the public would be given earlier and more effective opportunities for involvement in the permitting and operation of a facility in their community. For example, the facility owner/operator would be reguired to hold a meeting with the affected community prior to submitting a permit application. In addition, the EPA or the state would notify the public when the permitting agency receives a permit application for such a facility and again of its intent to approve a trial burn plan. The proposal would build on a number of- public participation requirements currently in place once a permit application has been submitted. EPA's draft waste minimization plan is a framework for maximizing the reduction and recycling of hazardous waste, in the short and long-term. In the long-term, EPA says it will pursue source reduction and recycling for all hazardous wastes, building on efforts that the states have already begun. It also states that EPA intends to set a numerical goal for reducing highly toxic and persistent combustible hazardous wastes as well as eventually for all hazardous wastes. The short-term component R-124 (more) ------- -2- spacifically addresses information on pollution prevention opportunities from metal-bearing and halogenated combustible hazardous wastes. The second document contains a preliminary technical analysis of best operating practices for existing hazardous waste burners. In this document, EPA identifies maximum achievable emission control levels, based on currently available technology, for dioxins and particulate matter. The particulata matter standard also controls metals. In its analysis, EPA identified a technology-based maximum achievable control level for dioxins and furans of 0.1-0.2 TEQ ng/dscm (toxlcity equivalent, nanograms per dry standard cubic meter), and a particulate matter level of 0.005 gr/dscf (grains per dry standard cubic foot). EPA will consider the results of this analysis when it upgrades its technical standards for hazardous waste burners next fall, to be proposed jointly under the Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. EPA is also releasing a policy memo to EPA's regional offices which clarifies that combustion of certain specified inorganic, metal-bearing hazardous wastes may violate the dilution prohibition under the Land Disposal Restrictions program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. EPA is providing a 60-day comment period for the public participation rule. Comments should be addressed to: Victoria Van Roden, Permits & State Programs Division (5303W), U.S. EPA, Washington, D. C. 20460. ' EPA will accept comments on the technical analysis through June 30 and on the waste minimization plan through August 31 at the following address: Director, Waste Management Division (5302W), n.s. EPA, Washington, D. c. 20460. For further information, reporters can call Robin Woods in the EPA Press Office, at 202-260-4377. Members of the public can call EPA's waste hotline at 1-800-424-9346. John Kasper, Director R-124 . - Press Services Division ------- |