[CPEO-BIF] Fwd from U.S. EPA: RCRA Permit Modifications Report

[Lenny Siegel <LSiegel@cpeo.org>]

Begin forwarded message:
> New EPA Report Highlights the Shift in Hazardous Waste Permitting  
> and Public Participation Focus
>
> EPA is pleased to share with you the “RCRA Permit Modifications  
> Report: Safeguarding the Environment in the Face of Changing  
> Business Needs.”
>
> Because most of the facilities that treat, store, and dispose of  
> hazardous waste have already obtained their initial permits, the  
> majority of hazardous waste permitting activity under the Resource  
> Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) has shifted from issuing  
> initial permits to permit maintenance. Likewise, the opportunities  
> for public participation at hazardous waste sites has also shifted  
> from involvement with new permit issuance to greater involvement  
> with permit renewals or modifications.
>
> Permit modifications enable improved operational efficiency,  
> economic development, and environmental protection at hazardous  
> waste facilities. And throughout the modification process,  
> effective and meaningful public participation keeps the local  
> community abreast of ongoing changes at the facility and helps  
> inform facility managers, as well as the regulating agency, about  
> public concerns.
>
> Permittees request changes to permit conditions to keep pace with  
> evolving business practices, technology, cleanup decisions, and  
> regulations. Timely permit modifications ensure that these changes  
> maintain protection of human health and the environment while  
> allowing companies to keep pace with changes in the market place  
> and bolster their competitiveness. Additionally, many modifications  
> facilitate cleanup of contaminated soil or groundwater, increase  
> the recycling or reuse of materials, reduce corresponding waste  
> streams, and minimize fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.  
> On average, states approve over 800 RCRA permit modifications  
> annually. Thus, it is critical that our RCRA permitting programs,  
> both here at EPA and in the states, receive adequate resources to  
> ensure timely and effective response to changes requested by  
> companies.
>
> The public participation aspect of the permit modification process  
> provides an opportunity for informed community involvement and  
> ensures that the regulating agency can consider and address local  
> concerns—especially environmental justice concerns. There are  
> notifications, meetings, comment periods, and hearings specifically  
> for the public to engage companies and regulators in a dialogue.  
> EPA recommends expanded public participation efforts (such as use  
> of social media) beyond the activities required in the regulations.  
> For example, greater outreach may also be warranted when the  
> facility is located in disadvantaged neighborhoods or when the  
> facility is clustered near other industrial facilities and thus may  
> add to cumulative impacts to adjacent communities.
>
> We have information currently available on our website regarding  
> expanded public participation and are also currently updating our  
> RCRA Public Participation Manual, which will provide further  
> guidance. We will be posting the draft updated public participation  
> manual for public review and will provide notice through our  
> mailing lists when it is posted.
>
> This report can be found on our website at http://www.epa.gov/ 
> hwpermitting/permit-modifications-report-safeguarding-environment- 
> face-changing-business-needs

--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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