Good morning all,
The proposed rule is now live in the Federal Register and open for a 60-day public comment period. Here are links to the web-version and official print version of the proposal:
You may leave a comment on the proposal through the
regulations.gov site during the 60-day public comment period ending May 20, 2024:
In addition, we will be hosting a public webinar to discuss the proposal on Thursday, April 18th at 1:00PM EDT. We ask that you register at:
Thank you,
Paul Diss
US Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Land and Emergency Management
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
Program Implementation and Information Division
Permits Branch
From: Diss, Paul (he/him/his)
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 1:09 PM
Cc: Gerhard, Sasha <Gerhard.Sasha@epa.gov>; Kohler, Amanda <Kohler.Amanda@epa.gov>
Subject: EPA to Publish NPRM: Revisions to the Standards for OB/OD of Waste Explosives
Good afternoon,
The EPA will publish a proposed rule to the Federal Register to revise the standards for open burning and open detonation of waste explosives. We will send another notice when the proposal is published and the 60 day public comment period begins.
Title: Revisions to Standards for the Open Burning/Open Detonation of Waste Explosives
Summary: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) proposes to revise regulations that allow for the open burning and detonation (OB/OD) of waste explosives. This allowance or “variance” to the prohibition on the open burning of hazardous waste was established at a time when there were no alternatives for the safe treatment of waste explosives. However, recent findings from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and the EPA have identified safe alternatives which are potentially applicable to treat some energetic/explosive waste streams. Because there may be safe alternatives available and in use today that capture and treat emissions prior to release, regulations would be revised to describe specified procedures for the existing requirements to evaluate and implement alternative treatment technologies. Today’s proposed revisions would reduce OB/OD of waste explosives and increase control of air emissions through improved implementation of existing requirements that facilities must evaluate and use safe and available alternative technologies in lieu of OB/OD.
You can access a pre-publication version of and press release about the proposed rule:
Thank you,
Paul Diss
US Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Land and Emergency Management
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
Program Implementation and Information Division
Permits Branch