US EPA has granted the State of Indiana final authorization of the changes to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Agency published a proposed authorization on October 9, 2012, and provided for public comment. EPA received no comments. The final authorization will be effective on June 6, 2013.
Some of the areas Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) modified its requirements for hazardous waste management include:
- Burning of Hazardous Wastes in Boilers and Industrial Furnaces
- Zinc Fertilizers Made From Recycled Hazardous Secondary Materials
- Land Disposal Restrictions for Radioactively Contaminated Cadmium, Mercury, and Silver Containing Batteries
- Recycled Used Oil Management Standards
- Hazardous Waste – Non-wastewaters From Production of Dyes, Pigments and Food, Drug and Cosmetic Colorants;
- Standardized Permit for RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Facilities,
- Revision of Wastewater Treatment Exemptions for Hazardous Waste Mixtures,
- Modifications to NESHAP: Final Standards for Hazardous Waste Combustors and for Surface Coating of Automobiles and Light-Duty Trucks
States which have received final authorization from EPA under RCRA must maintain a hazardous waste program that is equivalent to, consistent with, and no less stringent than the Federal program. Indiana has enforcement responsibilities under its state hazardous waste program for RCRA violations, but EPA retains its authority under RCRA to:
- Do inspections, and require monitoring, tests, analyses, or reports;
- enforce RCRA requirements and suspend or revoke permits; and
- take enforcement actions regardless of whether the state has taken its own actions.