EPA has identified 30 regulations that will be “frozen” until March 21, 2017, as directed by President Trump’s executive order issued last Friday.  The notice is expected to be published in the Federal Register today.  Most of the legislation delayed are air regulations but there are a few in the waste realm.  A link to the FR notice is below

https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2017-01822.pdf

Effective Immediately: The restriction on the use of uncertified wood heating devices is now lifted, due to improved weather conditions allowing for greater dispersion of air pollutants. The ban on outdoor burning is also lifted. 

Although the burn ban has been lifted, there are program requirements that must be followed at all times:

• Wood heating requirements
• Outdoor burning program requirements

The Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (Rule), finalized on November 28, 2016, will require hazardous waste large quantity generators (LQGs) and small quantity generators (SQGs) to make many changes as to how they manage their hazardous waste.

Pretransport Marking – The Rule requires generators to mark the applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hazardous waste numbers (i.e., EPA hazardous waste codes) on each container before transporting them off-site.

Satellite Accumulation Area Containers Marking – A container holding hazardous waste in a satellite accumulation area must be marked with the words “Hazardous Waste,” and an indication of the hazards of the contents (e.g. DOT labels or placards, an OSHA hazard statement or pictogram, or an NFPA 704 diamond).

VSQGs – Under the new rule, industrial entities previously called conditionally exempt small quantity generators (CESQCs), are now termed very small quantity generators (VSQGs). This change reflects the actual regulatory language since the other two generator categories—small quantity generators (SQGs) and large quantity generators (LQGs)—are also conditionally exempt from some requirements. VSQGs are potentially affected by only two of the new provisions: (1) VSQGs may send hazardous waste to LQGs under the control of the same person; and (2) QGs may also maintain their existing regulatory status if they have an episodic event that generates additional amounts of hazardous waste that would have resulted in them moving into a higher generator category for a short period of time.

Miscellaneous Other Provisions – Other revisions and new provisions in the rule affect disposal of liquid hazardous waste in a landfill, clarify generator waste counting, clarification of what is acceptable knowledge for hazardous waste determinations, requirement that SQCs notify EPA every 4 years of generator status, and the LQCs attempt to make arrangements with the local police department, fire department, and other emergency response teams; emergency response contractors; equipment suppliers; and local hospitals.

The federal Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule becomes effective May 30, 2017.

A ban on the use of uncertified stoves, inserts and fireplaces begins at 3 p.m. today, January 11, 2017, in the Spokane County Smoke Control Zone until further notice. 

Spokane Clean Air is issuing the Stage 1 / “Yellow” burn ban because weather conditions are contributing to a build-up of wood smoke.  Under a Stage 1 “yellow” burn restriction:  

• The use of uncertified wood stoves, fireplaces, inserts and other uncertified wood-burning devices is prohibited in the Smoke Control Zone, unless they are a home’s only adequate source of heat.
  
• The use of EPA-certified wood stoves, pellet stoves and other certified wood-burning devices is allowed.
• All outdoor burning is banned throughout Spokane County.  

This temporary restriction is due to increasing levels of smoke and stagnant weather conditions expected over the next several days. 

*If you don’t have an adequate source of heat, contact Spokane Clean Air for an exemption.  Click here for details.