Environmental Protection Agency April 26, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In March 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed and requested comment on the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) and health-based Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). After consideration of public comment and consistent with the provisions set forth under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA is finalizing NPDWRs for these six PFAS. Through this action, the EPA is finalizing MCLGs for PFOA and PFOS at zero. Considering feasibility, the EPA is promulgating individual Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS at 4.0 nanograms per liter (ng/L) or parts per trillion (ppt). The EPA is also finalizing individual MCLGs and is promulgating individual MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA at 10 ng/L. In addition to the individual MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA, in consideration of the known toxic effects, dose additive health concerns and occurrence and likely co-occurrence in drinking water of these three PFAS, as well as PFBS, the EPA is finalizing a Hazard Index (HI) of 1 (unitless) as the MCLG and MCL for any mixture containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. Once fully implemented, the EPA estimates that the rule will prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) section 111(d)/129 State plan submitted by the State of South Carolina, through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), on December 19, 2014, and supplemented on September 17, 2018, and June 19, 2019, and November 5, 2019, for implementing and enforcing the Emissions Guidelines (EG) applicable to existing Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration (CISWI) units. The State plan provides for implementation and enforcement of the EG, as finalized by the EPA on June 23, 2016, applicable to existing CISWI units for which construction commenced on or before June 4, 2010, or for which modification or reconstruction commenced after June 4, 2010, but no later than August 7, 2013; the State plan also incorporates the CISWI technical amendments finalized by the EPA on April 16, 2019. The State plan establishes emission limits, monitoring, operating, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for affected CISWI units.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator signed an order dated January 30, 2024, granting a petition dated August 7, 2023, from the Center for Biological Diversity, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, 350 Colorado, Sierra Club and Green Latinos. The petition requested that the EPA object to the Clean Air Act (CAA) operating permits issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to Bonanza Creek Energy Operating Company, LLC for its Antelope CPF 13-21 Production Facility, State Antelope O-1 Central Production Facility, State North Platte 42-26 Central Production Facility and State Pronghorn 41-32 Central Production Facility, all located in Weld County, Colorado.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), RCRA Subtitle C Reporting Instructions and Forms (EPA ICR Number 0976.20, OMB Control Number 2050-0024) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through April 30, 2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on September 6, 2023, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.