United Stales Communications. Education, Environmental Protection And Public Affaire Agency (A-107) Environmental News FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1993 NEW EPA RULE WILL FACILITATE CLEANUP AT HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES Robin Woods 202-260-4377 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator William K. Reilly today announced the Agency is expediting cleanups at contaminated Hazardous waste sites regulated under the Resource :i • -s Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by providing greater flexibility ifor the use of alternative cleanup technologies than has been allowed previously under the EPA's hazardous waste program. This flexibility is now also available in the cleanup of Superfund sites. Today's action assures cleanups that are fully protective yet better tailored to site-specific conditions. It is also expected to speed cleanups, spur the development and use of new cleanup technologies, and save billions of dollars in cleanup costs. "By enabling RCRA facilities to use more cost-effective methods to achieve environmentally sound cleanups', we have taken another step in this Administration to integrate our nation's environmental and economic goals. This action will mean more and faster cleanups of hazardous waste sites, while also promoting the application of new cleanup technologies, which will be sought after worldwide." The action came in the form of a final rule that allows handling of contaminated soils and other cleanup wastes within a site in a "corrective action management unit" (CAMU), without requiring the same treatment standards that would otherwise apply to newly generated wastes. Up to now, cleanup wastes could not be moved elsewhere on a site without subjecting the wastes to the same treatment and control required of newly generated wastes. Under current RCRA regulations requirements, this meant generally R-18 (more) ------- that large volumes of wastes had to be incinerated or as an alternative left in place. Under today's action, appropriate treatment requirements will be determined as part of the overall cleanup plan at a particular site. EPA's experience with RCRA corrective action has shown that application of the standards for newly generated wastes has often been counterproductive when applied to the management of wastes generated during cleanups. For example, treatment standards requiring incineration "preclude the use of other cleanup technologies that could be effectively used in cleaning up a site. EPA has concluded that the use of alternative treatment technologies, such as bioremediation, soil washing and solidification can provide full protection to public health and the environment in cleaning up contaminated sites. Although incineration may still be used, EPA expects the new rule to result in less incineration, less off-site removal of the wastes, and overall more treatment of greater volumes of cleanup wastes. More than 800 hazardous waste facilities regulated under RCRA are now in the process of investigating and cleaning up contamination problems. EPA estimates that as many as 4,000 RCRA facilities may eventually need some type of corrective action. There are approximately 1,200 Superfund sites on the National Priorities List. The rule is expected to save an estimated $16.5 to $26.5 billion dollars overall, or $1 to $2 billion annually at RCRA sites. The rule will appear in the Federal Register soon. The public can get additional information by calling CPA's waste hotline at 800-424-9346. R-18 t * * US fcPA Headquarters and Chemical Libraries EPA West Bidg Room 3340 Masicode 3404T 1301 Constitution Ave NW Washington DC 20004 202-566-0556 ------- |