Overview
Title
Utah: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions and Incorporation by Reference
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to let Utah make some changes to its rules about handling dangerous waste, and if no one disagrees by a certain date, these changes will become official rules.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to grant the State of Utah authorization for revisions to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These changes meet all necessary requirements for final approval, and the EPA plans to enforce them through direct action, which is detailed in the "Rules and Regulations" section of the Federal Register. The EPA will also include Utah's authorized hazardous waste program in the Code of Federal Regulations. Comments on this proposal must be submitted by January 22, 2025. If no opposing comments are received, the rule will become effective as planned.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to grant authorization to the State of Utah for the changes to its hazardous waste program under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The EPA has determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization, and is authorizing the State's changes through a direct final action, which can be found in the "Rules and Regulations" section of this Federal Register. In addition, the EPA is proposing to codify in the regulations entitled "Approved State Hazardous Waste Management Programs," Utah's authorized hazardous waste program. The EPA will incorporate by reference into the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) those provisions of the State regulations that are authorized and that the EPA will enforce under RCRA.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to how the State of Utah manages hazardous waste. These changes are under a law called the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The EPA thinks Utah’s updates meet all needed requirements, so they're ready to give the green light for these changes with minimal objection expected. This proposal is detailed in the Federal Register's "Rules and Regulations" section.
Key Points of the Document
The EPA plans to add Utah's updated hazardous waste rules into a set of laws called the Code of Federal Regulations. This means the rules will have federal backing and enforcement. Public comments on the proposal are encouraged, but they must be submitted by January 22, 2025. If no one posts comments against it, the changes will automatically take effect on the specified date.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Understanding the Language: Legal terms like "incorporate by reference" might be confusing. Essentially, this means that specific state rules will be formally recognized as part of national rules without having to reproduce the entire text in federal documents. For general readers, these concepts may require additional explanation.
Process Familiarity: Terms such as "direct final rule" and "codifying regulations" could be unfamiliar to most people. "Direct final rule" implies that the rule becomes final if no negative feedback is given, which can be unsettling for those who might not realize they had only one chance to comment.
Limited Comment Opportunities: The proposal mentions that the rule will automatically become effective if unopposed by the comment deadline. This can be concerning for those who might miss the chance to voice their opinions or concerns.
Impact on the Public
This rule modification primarily aims to streamline and update hazardous waste handling consistent with modern needs and safety standards. For the general public, this means safer waste management which potentially reduces environmental hazards and risk to health. By codifying Utah's rules on a federal level, the public can expect improvements in waste management practices within the state.
Impact on Stakeholders
Positive Impact: - Environmental Organizations and Advocates: They may see these changes as a step forward for environmental sustainability and public health protection. - Utah State Authorities: Enforcement of their own updated program is likely to improve efficiency since it aligns with federal expectations.
Negative Impact: - Industries Handling Hazardous Waste: Compliance with updated rules might require adjustments, possible new training or systems, and could involve initial costs. - Nonprofit and Advocacy Groups Missing the Window for Comments: Those who miss the short comment period may feel left out of the decision-making process.
Overall, this regulatory change aims to ensure safer and more consistent management of hazardous waste across Utah and aligns state practice with federal oversight. However, the process assumes stakeholders and the public are informed and have timely access to participate in the regulatory process.
Issues
• The document summary's language regarding 'incorporate by reference' might be unclear to readers unfamiliar with legal or regulatory terminology, potentially needing further simplification or explanation.
• The document assumes familiarity with terms and processes like 'direct final rule' and 'codifying regulations,' which may not be clear to all stakeholders or the general public.
• The document indicates that if there are no opposing comments, the rule becomes effective immediately without additional notice or opportunity for comment, which may concern those who miss the initial comment window.