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The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Management Program changed the web addresses of database applications on Dec. 1, 2022 as part of a required server upgrade. Customers with personal bookmarks to the following websites will need to update the saved address.
For the Air Permit Search Tool:
For Air Permit Public Involvement:
Continue to access the Air Reporting System (ARS), Asbestos Renovation and Demolition Notification System (ARDN), and Air Permit and Compliance Actions directly from Switchboard. Do not directly bookmark these applications. Bookmarking the Switchboard webpage is recommended.
By March 1 of each year, hazardous waste generators and facilities are required by law to submit a report to the DNR outlining hazardous waste generation and treatment activities conducted in the previous year. Entities that are required to report include:
- Small quantity generators (SQG) and large quantity generators (LQG)
- Licensed treatment, storage or disposal facilities (TSD)
- Permanent household hazardous waste and very small quantity generator (VSQG) collection facilities
- Publicly owned wastewater treatment works
The DNR will release the 2022 waste reporting form in late January or early February of 2023. Direct email communications will be sent to facilities identified in the program database as being required to report. These emails are sent to the person assigned as the preparer and/or signatory. Facilities that do not receive an email announcing their facility report is available by early February should contact the appropriate regional environmental program associate.
Episodic Generation and Reporting Status
Hazardous waste generators (WA-1821) [PDF] that were a SQG or LQG for at least one month during a calendar year are required to submit an annual report per s. NR 662.041, Wis. Adm. Code. SQG and VSQG may have notified the DNR of an episodic hazardous waste generation event that increased their generation rate to a higher category. An episodic event does not require a generator to report as that higher category. However, a SQG will need to pay the SQG base fee and tonnage fee for all the hazardous waste it generated, including the episodic hazardous waste, during the reporting year. A VSQG that properly notified the DNR of an episodic hazardous waste generation event is not required to complete an annual report unless the VSQG has engaged in other hazardous waste activities that require an annual report to be completed.
Review the Episodic Generation of Hazardous Waste Guidance (WA-1872) [PDF] publication for details.
Preparing To Report
When it is time to access the hazardous waste annual reporting system, gather information for all hazardous waste generated at a facility for the calendar year 2022. This includes hazardous waste that remains onsite as of Dec. 31, 2022.
Review the reporting instructions on the DNR's hazardous waste annual report web page. The page includes instructions on switchboard access, special waste types and generator fees. Use the DNR Switchboard to verify report preparer and signatory information for the facility.
If the staff responsible for reporting has changed since March of 2021, the new staff must obtain a Wisconsin User ID and request access through DNR Switchboard. Getting new staff set up correctly before the end of 2022 will help ensure the right people get important emails and can access the hazardous waste report as soon as it is available.
Survey
The DNR is seeking feedback from generators that use the DNR’s Hazardous Waste Reporting Form to complete the hazardous waste annual report. A link to the survey can be found here Hazardous Waste Reporting Form Survey.
On Nov. 30, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that adds 12 chemicals to the list of chemicals subject to Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements. Available data show these chemicals have moderately high to high human health toxicity and/or are highly toxic to aquatic organisms.
Facilities that meet TRI reporting requirements for these chemicals must now report to EPA on quantities of these chemicals that are released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. The first reporting forms for these chemicals will be due to EPA by July 1, 2024, for calendar year 2023 data. For the list of new TRI chemicals go to: https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/final-rule-addition-12-chemicals-toxics-release-inventory.
Information collected through the TRI allows communities to learn how facilities in their area are managing chemicals. The data collected also help companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and others make more informed decisions that impact health and the environment. This information can be especially important to fence-line communities that are near industrial uses of these chemicals where releases to water, air, or land could have a greater impact.
Are you looking for ways to take your business beyond the minimum compliance requirements? The Focus on Energy program could offer valuable tools for you, through a range of services that help businesses save on energy costs and improve their energy efficiency.
Focus on Energy started in 2001 when a group of Wisconsin utilities came together to fund an energy efficiency program by adding a small charge to their customers’ monthly utility bills. Today there are more than 100 utilities participating, including all major utilities in the state. Review the list here to see if your utility company is included, making your business eligible to participate.
If you are eligible, Focus on Energy offers several types of no-cost services for businesses:
- Incentives and Rebates
- Technical Assistance
- Trade Ally Network
Incentives and Rebates
Focus on Energy offers incentives and rebates to help businesses carry out energy efficiency projects. Incentives and rebates are based on the type of equipment being replaced or upgraded. These projects fall into two categories: 1) prescriptive and 2) custom. The prescriptive project financing applies to standard energy efficiency projects such as replacing LED bulbs or replacing a boiler. These types of projects deliver a standard set of energy savings that will result from these technology installations or replacements, so the incentive offered for them is a standard amount. The custom projects are nonstandard projects that require an estimate of how much energy savings will result from completing a project, which Focus on Energy then uses to determine their contribution to the project. Any single business can receive up to $300,000 in support for a project and up to $400,000 per calendar year.
Technical Assistance Offerings
All businesses working with Focus on Energy have access to an energy advisor (generally an environmental or energy engineer working for a regional engineering organization) who can help consult on projects. These energy advisors can help identify potential projects to pursue and also consult on how to implement those projects. There is no cost associated with working with an energy advisor, even if you don’t pursue a project.
Trade Ally Network
This network consists of manufacturers, distributors, and installation specialists for energy efficiency equipment. If you choose to pursue a project in partnership with Focus on Energy, you’ll have access to this list of industry experts to help you carry it out. You may already work with a supplier who is a Trade Ally to the Focus on Energy program. They can also help you navigate the incentive and technical assistance available to you as a customer of any of the participating utilities.
If interested, explore Focus on Energy’s website to learn more about their services. They also offer a variety of trainings and host events throughout the year across the state on various topics related to energy efficiency that may be useful.
Public Input Opportunity for DNR Publication: Guidance on Addressing Contaminated Sediment Sites in Wisconsin (RR-0124)
The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication Guidance on Addressing Contaminated Sediment Sites in Wisconsin (RR-0124).
The purpose of this guidance is to outline approaches for investigating and remediating hazardous substances discharges that impact sediment to comply with the requirements in Wisconsin Statutes (Wis. Stat.) ch. 292 and the applicable provisions of Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700-799. This guidance explains the steps recommended for assessment of contaminated sediment, evaluation of remedial options and the selection, design, implementation and monitoring of remedial actions. This guidance will clarify closure requirements at sites with contaminated sediments, including continuing obligations, long term stewardship and financial assurance.
The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through Jan. 11, 2023 to Carrie Webb at Carrie.Webb@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.
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