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June 21, 2023
This e-newsletter delivers announcements from EPA's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery on rulemakings, guidance documents, reports, research, upcoming webinars, and more.
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EPA Issues Lithium Battery Recycling Memo with Frequently Asked
On May 24, 2023, EPA issued a new memorandum to promote the recycling of lithium-ion batteries by answering key questions about the regulation of these batteries during recycling. To secure our clean energy transition, EPA is working to increase the safe recycling of lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are everywhere in our daily lives, including in electric vehicles, rechargeable power tools, e-scooters, and other electronic devices. As these products grow in popularity, so does the number of lithium-ion batteries reaching their end of life and entering the waste stream. Recycling these batteries returns valuable critical minerals to the economy, both conserving resources and reducing the overall energy use needed to produce new batteries. It is important that recycling is done safely and in compliance with applicable regulations to avoid fires.
EPA’s new memo provides an overview of how these batteries are recycled and answers key recycling questions by explaining the applicability of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulations to lithium-ion battery recycling. The memo also discusses the hazardous and universal waste regulations, best management practices, black mass, permit requirements for recyclers, and other related topics.
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EPA Invites Community to Attend June 27 Public Meeting to Discuss Coal Ash Concerns in Waukegan, Illinois
On June 27, 2023, EPA will host a community meeting to discuss the impacts and regulation of coal ash at the College of Lake County.
EPA will present information on coal ash and resources that are available to the community. EPA will also provide an update on the legacy coal ash proposed rule and comment process, information on resources available to the community, and EPA’s commitment to good governance.
The meeting will also include a listening session, during which community members will have an opportunity to voice their thoughts about coal ash and their community.
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Central Time
Location: College of Lake County, 34 N Sheridan Rd, 5th floor, Waukegan, IL 60085
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EPA Proposes Determination on a Request for an Extension to the Deadline for Initiating Closure from a Facility in
On June 20, 2023, EPA proposed a determination on the request for a deadline extension for initiating closure of unlined surface impoundments with coal combustion residuals. Midwest Generation, LLC for the Waukegan Generating Station in Waukegan, Illinois submitted the application. EPA is proposing to deny the request because preliminary findings indicate the facility is not in compliance with the CCR rule.
This decision advances the Agency’s commitment to protecting groundwater from CCR contamination. EPA will be collecting public comments on this proposal through the docket in Regulations.gov from July 5 to August 4, 2023.
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EPA Hosts Coal Ash Public Hearing on June 28 in Chicago
EPA will host a public hearing on the proposed rule that would require the safe management of coal ash dumped in areas that are currently unregulated at the federal level. The proposal would apply to inactive power plants with surface impoundments that are no longer being used and to historical coal ash dumps at active power plants with regulated coal ash disposal units.
EPA is seeking public comment on this proposal and is holding an in-person public hearing to provide interested persons the opportunity to present information and views about the proposed rule.
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Date: June 28, 2023
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Time: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time
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Location: Kimpton Gray Hotel, Adler Ballroom, 15th Floor, 122 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603
Comment in writing: EPA will also accept comments on the proposal in writing until July 17, 2023. Written comments receive the same consideration as comments provided at the public hearing.
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EPA extended the deadline for comments on the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution to July 31, 2023. Comments can be submitted to the docket at Request for Public Comment. The Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution can be found here: Draft National Strategy Prevent Plastic Pollution.
EPA developed the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution to reduce plastic waste and other post-consumer materials in waterways and oceans, as directed by Congress in section 301 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act. This extension provides the public with an additional opportunity to share information and provide feedback on the draft strategy, which identifies actions where EPA can work collaboratively with interested parties to prevent plastic pollution and reduce, reuse, collect, and capture plastic and other waste from land-based sources. EPA seeks public comment from a broad array of organizations engaged in post-consumer materials management and infrastructure including, but not limited to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments; industry; researchers; academia; non-profit organizations; community groups; and international organizations. Public comments will inform the Agency's efforts to finalize the strategy and continue work with interested parties to implement the actions.
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EPA launched a new webpage in support of the CETA Program. This program is designed to assist communities with addressing their concerns about environmental and health issues related to waste management by providing access to support, resources, and information through neutral third parties. These services empower communities to develop informed opinions when participating in environmental decision-making about their waste-related concerns.
CETA services also facilitate effective and active participation in efforts to improve public health. In addition, this program aims to support grassroots participation and to foster a collaborative working space between EPA and communities. Learn more about this program and apply for services on our new webpage.
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EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery is hosting a webinar to share information about our National Tribal Waste Management Peer Matching Program. The Peer Matching Program is designed to strengthen tribal capacity building and develop sustainable waste management programs in Indian country. This webinar is an opportunity to learn more about the Program from EPA and hear directly from tribal professionals who have recently participated in the Program. Join us tomorrow (June 22, 2023) at 2:00 – 3:00 pm (ET) to learn how you can obtain assistance with your waste management issues and how you can volunteer to be a resource for other tribes.
Register for this webinar here.
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EPA will participate in the 13th annual Tribal Forum for Environmental Professionals, taking place in Syracuse, New York, August 14-17, 2023. The Tribal Lands and Environment Forum provides an opportunity for tribes, EPA, state/local/federal agencies, community organizations, and other interested parties to learn from one another about important waste issues. This year, EPA will present the following sessions:
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Not In My Backyard! Addressing Open Dumps on Tribal Lands - Charles Reddoor, U.S. EPA; Rosita Clarke, U.S. EPA; and Caitlin Caldwell, Indian Health Service.
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Progress under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Indian Country and Opportunities for the Future - Ann Carroll, Amanda Van Epps, and Chris Carusiello, U.S. EPA.
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Who Are We to Judge? Assessing Tribal Capacity for Solid Waste Project Funding - Caroline Klos, Wayne Roepe, and Luke Hullinger, U.S. EPA.
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Let's Explore EPA's Solid Waste Resources! - Denise Roy, U.S. EPA; Rob Roy, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians; and Kim Katonica, U.S. EPA.
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On June 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a $125 million funding opportunity for recycling, reprocessing, and battery collection authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to grow and secure America’s battery supply chain. Projects funded through this opportunity will:
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Develop and implement education and behavior change campaigns to increase participation by consumers in existing battery recycling programs.
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Improve the economics of recycling consumer electronics batteries to spur greater market demand for battery recycling.
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Assist states and local governments in establishing or enhancing battery collection, recycling, and reprocessing programs.
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Help retailers implement programs to collect, sort, store, and transport consumer electronics batteries.
Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, for-profit entities, state and local governmental entities, and Tribal Nations. Concept papers are due August 17, 2023, and the deadline for full applications is November 29, 2023. Learn more about this funding opportunity.
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The purpose of this newsletter is to provide interested parties with updates about the federal solid and hazardous waste programs, such as information about rulemakings, upcoming webinars, guidance documents, open comment periods, and other related communications.
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