No. 41660 (Amendment): Rule R315-273. Standards for Universal Waste Management

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 41660
Filed: 05/15/2017 05:32:14 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The proposed changes incorporate corresponding revisions made by EPA in a final rule published in the Federal Register on 11/28/2016 (81 FR 85732) under the title of Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (HWGIR). As an authorized state for the hazardous waste program, the proposed changes are made in order to maintain regulatory equivalency with the federal hazardous waste regulations. Similar changes are proposed in other rules under Title R315 in order to incorporate all of the corresponding revisions promulgated under the final HWGIR by EPA on 11/28/2016.

Summary of the rule or change:

On 04/13/2017, the Waste Management and Radiation Control Board authorized the proposed changes to be published for public review and comment. Proposed changes to Rule R315-273 reflect those corresponding revisions made by the final HWGIR to 40 CFR 273, as promulgated on 11/28/2016 (81 FR 85732). While many of the changes are required to retain primacy of the hazardous waste program, others provide added clarification or correct textual errors. Specifically, incorporating into Rule R315-273 and into the other companion rules of Title R315, the revisions promulgated by EPA make significant improvements to the hazardous waste generation requirements by: 1) reorganizing and consolidating the generator requirements for added convenience and clarity, 2) providing added flexibility for generators to manage their hazardous waste in a more cost-effective and equally protective manner, and 3) revising the title of the lowest category of hazardous waste generation from "conditionally exempt small quantity generator" to "very small quantity generator". The change in the title of the lowest category of hazardous waste generation will result in less confusion on the part of hazardous waste generators regarding the essential requirements for managing hazardous waste produced in very small quantities. Changing the title of this generation category to "very small quantity generator" makes clear that limited rules apply to the generation and management of hazardous waste in very small quantities rather than potentially mislead by using the phrase "conditionally exempt", which may imply that no requirements or rules apply.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 19-6-106
• Section 19-6-105

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

Based on EPA's regulatory impact assessment (September 2016) for the HWGIR, state agencies that generate hazardous waste may realize an undetermined portion of the aggregate annual net cost savings of $3,600 to $13,100 for all Utah hazardous waste generators.

local governments:

Based on EPA's regulatory impact assessment (September 2016) for the HWGIR, local governments that generate hazardous waste may realize an undetermined portion of the aggregate annual net cost savings of $3,600 to $13,100 for all Utah hazardous waste generators.

small businesses:

Based on EPA's regulatory impact assessment (September 2016) for the HWGIR, small businesses that generate hazardous waste may realize an undetermined portion of the aggregate annual net cost savings of $3,600 to $13,100 for all Utah hazardous waste generators.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

Based on EPA's regulatory impact assessment (September 2016) for the HWGIR, other persons that generate hazardous waste may realize an undetermined portion of the aggregate annual net cost savings of $3,600 to $13,100 for all Utah hazardous waste generators.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

In the regulatory impact assessment issued by EPA (September 2016, EPA-HQ-RCRA-2012-0121-0313, regulations.gov) for the final HWGIR, EPA estimated that by applying the rule changes, all hazardous waste generators can potentially realize a national aggregate net compliance cost savings from $722,000 to $2,630,000, annually. The total number of Utah hazardous waste generators is about 0.5% of the national total. Therefore, given the national total, the annual net cost savings to all Utah hazardous waste generators may range from $3,600 to $13,100.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

In the regulatory impact assessment issued by EPA (September 2016, EPA-HQ-RCRA-2012-0121-0313, regulations.gov) for the final HWGIR, EPA estimated that by applying the rule changes, all hazardous waste generators can potentially realize a national aggregate net compliance cost savings from $722,000 to $2,630,000, annually. The total number of Utah hazardous waste generators is about 0.5% of the national total. Therefore, given the national total, the annual net cost savings to all Utah hazardous waste generators may range from $3,600 to $13,100.

Alan Matheson, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Office of Administrative Rules, or at:

Environmental Quality
Waste Management and Radiation Control, Waste ManagementRoom Second Floor
195 N 1950 W
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116-3097

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Rusty Lundberg at the above address, by phone at 801-536-4257, by FAX at 801-536-0222, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]
• Thomas Ball at the above address, by phone at 801-536-0251, by FAX at , or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/03/2017

This rule may become effective on:

07/31/2017

Authorized by:

Scott Anderson, Director

RULE TEXT

R315. Environmental Quality, Waste Management and Radiation Control, Waste Management.

R315-273. Standards for Universal Waste Management.

R315-273-8. Standards for Universal Waste Management -- Applicability -- Household and [Conditionally Exempt]Very Small Quantity Generator Waste.

(a) Persons managing the wastes listed below may, at their option, manage them under the requirements of Rule R315-273:

(1) Household wastes that are exempt under Subsection R315-261-4(b)(1) and are also of the same type as the universal wastes defined at Section R315-273-9; and/or

(2) [Conditionally exempt]Very small quantity generator wastes that are exempt under Section [R315-261-5]R315-262-14 and are also of the same type as the universal wastes defined at Section R315-273-9.

(b) Persons who commingle the wastes described in Subsections R315-273-8(a)(1) and (a)(2) together with universal waste regulated under Rule R315-273 shall manage the commingled waste under the requirements of Rule R315-273.

 

R315-273-81. Standards for Universal Waste Management -- Factors for Petitions to Include Other Wastes Under Rule R315-273.

(a) The waste or category of waste, as generated by a wide variety of generators, is listed in Sections R315-261-30 through 3, or, if not listed, a proportion of the waste stream exhibits one or more characteristics of hazardous waste identified in Sections R315-261-20 through 24. When a characteristic waste is added to the universal waste regulations of this Rule R315-273 by using a generic name to identify the waste category, e.g., batteries, the definition of universal waste in Section R315-260-10 and Section R315-273-9 shal be amended to include only the hazardous waste portion of the waste category, e.g., hazardous waste batteries. Thus, only the portion of the waste stream that does exhibit one or more characteristics, i.e., is hazardous waste, is subject to the universal waste regulations of Rule R315-273;

(b) The waste or category of waste is not exclusive to a specific industry or group of industries, is commonly generated by a wide variety of types of establishments, including, for example, households, retail and commercial businesses, office complexes, [conditionally exempt]very small quantity generators, small businesses, government organizations, as well as large industrial facilities;

(c) The waste or category of waste is generated by a large number of generators, e.g., more than 1,000 nationally, and is frequently generated in relatively small quantities by each generator;

(d) Systems to be used for collecting the waste or category of waste, including packaging, marking, and labeling practices, would ensure close stewardship of the waste;

(e) The risk posed by the waste or category of waste during accumulation and transport is relatively low compared to other hazardous wastes, and specific management standards proposed or referenced by the petitioner, e.g., waste management requirements appropriate to be added to Sections R315-273-13, 33, and 52; and/or applicable Department of Transportation requirements, would be protective of human health and the environment during accumulation and transport;

(f) Regulation of the waste or category of waste under Rule R315-273 will increase the likelihood that the waste will be diverted from non-hazardous waste management systems; e.g., the municipal waste stream, non-hazardous industrial or commercial waste stream, municipal sewer or stormwater systems; to recycling; treatment; or disposal in compliance with Title 19 Chapter 6.

(g) Regulation of the waste or category of waste under Rule R315-273 will improve implementation of and compliance with the hazardous waste regulatory program; and/or

(h) Such other factors as may be appropriate.

 

KEY: hazardous waste, universal waste

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [June 10, 2016]2017

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 19-6-105; 19-6-106

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