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Waste Haulers and Solid Waste Management Facilities No Longer Allowed To Dispose Of Electronic Waste in NY Facilities Effective January 1, 2012

Private and public waste haulers/transporters and solid or hazardous waste management facilities will no longer be allowed to dispose of electronic waste, such as televisions, computers, computer peripherals, etc., in a solid or hazardous waste management facility located in the state beginning January 1, 2012. 

To learn how and where to recycle electronic waste and for a full list of the types of electronic equipment that must be recycled under the law, please visit DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/66872.html. 

 

DEC Announces Public Hearings on Proposed Air Quality Regulations

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will be holding public hearings on proposed amendments to 6 NYCRR Parts 219, and 200; Part 248 and revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP).

DEC proposes to amend Part 219, Incinerators, to adopt a new Subpart 219-9, which would apply statewide to existing sewage sludge incineration (SSI) units constructed on or before October 14, 2010. Part 219 will also be amended to include new regulatory limits for nine air pollutants, an opacity limit, requirements for performance testing, operator training, recordkeeping and reporting and compliance monitoring. DEC is undertaking this rulemaking to comply with federal requirements pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and federal SSI guidelines. Part 200, general provisions, will also be amended to incorporate the federal requirements.

DEC also proposes to amend Part 248, Use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel and Best Available Retrofit Technology for Heavy Duty Vehicles. These amendments will continue to implement the Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2006 (DERA) and conform Part 248 to the recent ECL Section 19-0323 changes.

DEC is also proposing an infrastructure assessment as a SIP revision for the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead, as required under the CAA.

More information is available on DEC's website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/79636.html

 

DEC Public Comment Period for High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Proposed Regulations Closed

The DEC public comment period for high-volume hydraulic fracturing proposed regulations was closed on January 11, 2012. DEC Commissioner Martens’ statement on closing of the comment period:

“There has been an unprecedented response to this issue with tens of thousands of comments submitted. All comments are being carefully considered as we develop the final rules and conditions for high-volume hydraulic fracturing. In addition, the final documents will include responses to the comments in responsiveness summaries.  

“DEC has carefully studied this issue for nearly four years and we continue to study each and every issue associated with this activity. DEC’s number one priority is to ensure conditions for high-volume hydraulic fracturing fully protect public health and the environment. If high-volume hydraulic fracturing moves forward in New York, it will move forward with the strictest standards in the nation to ensure New York’s drinking water and other natural resources are thoroughly protected.

"Public input is an important part of establishing responsible conditions for high-volume hydraulic fracturing as well as determining whether it can be done safely. Many significant improvements were made to the 2009 draft based on comments DEC received. We expect additional improvements will be made to the 2011 draft based on the comments submitted during this comment period.”

 





           


EPA Issues First National Standards for Mercury Pollution from Power Plants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. The standards will slash emissions of these dangerous pollutants by relying on widely available, proven pollution controls that are already in use at more than half of the nation’s coal-fired power plants.  

More information: www.epa.gov/mats

 

DC Circuit Court Granted a Motion to Stay the EPA’s CSAPR

On December 30, 2011, the DC Circuit Court granted a motion to stay the Environmental Protection Agency's "Federal Implementation Plans: Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone and Correction of SIP Approvals; Final Rule," 76 Fed. Reg. 48,208 (August 8, 2011) (CSAPR).  The stay temporarily suspends implementation of CSAPR pending the court's resolution of the petitions for review. The court's order indicates that the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) is expected to continue pending resolution of the petitions for review. 

 

2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data from Large Facilities Now Available / First release of data through the national GHG reporting program

For the first time, comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) data reported directly from large facilities and suppliers across the country are now easily accessible to the public through EPA’s GHG Reporting Program. The 2010 GHG data released includes public information from facilities in nine industry groups that directly emit large quantities of GHGs, as well as suppliers of certain fossil fuels.

EPA’s online data publication tool allows users to view and sort GHG data for calendar year 2010 from over 6,700 facilities in a variety of ways—including by facility, location, industrial sector, and the type of GHG emitted. This information can be used by communities to identify nearby sources of GHGs, help businesses compare and track emissions, and provide information to state and local governments.

Access EPA’s GHG Reporting Program Data and Data Publication Tool: http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgdata/

 

EPA Releases 2010 Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual national analysis of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), providing all Americans with vital information about their communities. The TRI program publishes information on toxic chemical disposals and other releases into the air, land and water, as well as information on waste management and pollution prevention activities in neighborhoods across the country. Total releases including disposals for the latest reporting year, 2010, are higher than the previous two years but lower than 2007 and prior year totals. Many of the releases from TRI facilities are regulated under various EPA programs and requirements designed to limit human and environmental harm.

TRI data is submitted annually to EPA and states by multiple industry sectors including manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste facilities. Facilities must report their toxic chemical releases to EPA under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) by July 1st of each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires information on waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.

More on the 2010 TRI analysis and TRI Web-based tools: http://www.epa.gov/tri


Last Updated January 18, 2012     


 

 

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