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EPA Plans to Give Pennsylvania Authority Over Hazardous Waste Regulations

Release Date: 9/25/2000
Contact Information: Ruth Wuenschel, (215) 814-5540

Ruth Wuenschel, 215-814-5540

PHILADELPHIA - The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to authorize Pennsylvania to administer updates to the Commonwealth’s hazardous waste regulations.

EPA’s action is in accordance with the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) that grants states primary responsibility for implementing hazardous waste regulations because states are in a better position to respond to local needs. Under RCRA, duplication of effort between the state’s and the federal hazardous waste program is reduced.

Before EPA’s approval, the public has 30 days to review and comment on the Commonwealth’s application and EPA’s decision. The comment period ends October 26, 2000. If no adverse comments are received, EPA’s decision will automatically take effect in 60 days.

Anyone interested in viewing the Pennsylvania authorization application can call the EPA’s Regional Library at (215) 814-5254 or the Pennsylvania Department Environmental Protection at (717) 787-6239.

The public may provide written comments on EPA’s decision to approve Pennsylvania’s Authorization Application for Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions by sending written comments to: Charles Bentley, Pennsylvania State Program Manager, State Programs Branch (3WC21), U.S. EPA Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029.