North Carolina: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Final action.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action on the authorization of changes to North Carolina's hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended. These changes were outlined in a June 26, 2023, application to the EPA. We have determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed for final authorization.

DATES:

This authorization is effective on September 13, 2024 without further notice unless the EPA receives adverse comment by August 14, 2024. If the EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal of this direct final action in the Federal Register informing the public that the authorization will not take effect.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04-RCRA-2024-0116, at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from www.regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission ( i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

The EPA encourages electronic submittals and lists all publicly available docket materials electronically at www.regulations.gov. If you are unable to make electronic submittals or require alternative access to docket materials, please notify Leah Davis through the provided contacts in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Please also contact Leah Davis if you need assistance in a language other than English or if you are a person with disabilities who needs a reasonable accommodation at no cost to you.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Leah Davis; RCRA Programs and Cleanup Branch; Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960; telephone number: (404) 562-8562; fax number: (404) 562-9964; email address: davis.leah@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Why is the EPA using a direct final action?

The EPA is publishing this action without a prior proposed rule because we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no adverse comment. This action is a routine program change. However, in the “Proposed Rules” section of this issue of the Federal Register , we are publishing a separate document that will serve as the proposed rule allowing the public an opportunity to comment. We will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. For further information about commenting on this action, see the ADDRESSES section of this document.

If the EPA receives comments that oppose this authorization, we will withdraw this action by publishing a document in the Federal Register before the action becomes effective. The EPA will base any further decision on the authorization of the State's program changes on the proposal mentioned in the previous paragraph. We will then address all public comments in a later final action.

II. Why are revisions to State programs necessary?

States that have received final authorization from the EPA under RCRA section 3006(b), 42 U.S.C. 6926(b), must maintain a hazardous waste program that is equivalent to, consistent with, and no less stringent than the Federal program. As the Federal program changes, States must change their programs and ask the EPA to authorize the changes. Changes to State programs may be necessary when Federal or State statutory or regulatory authority is modified or when certain other changes occur. Most commonly, States must change their programs because of changes to the EPA's regulations in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), parts 124, 260 through 268, 270, 273, and 279.

New Federal requirements and prohibitions imposed by Federal regulations that the EPA promulgates pursuant to the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA) take effect in authorized states at the same time they take effect in unauthorized States. Thus, the EPA will implement those requirements and prohibitions in North Carolina, including the issuance of new permits implementing those requirements, until the State is granted authorization to do so.

III. What decisions has the EPA made in this action?

North Carolina submitted a complete program revision application (PRA), dated June 26, 2023, seeking authorization of changes to its hazardous waste program corresponding to certain Federal rules promulgated between October 27, 1987, and October 1, 2021 (including HSWA Cluster II (Checklists 39.1, 50.1, and 66.1), RCRA Cluster IV (Checklist 126.1), RCRA Cluster VI (Checklist 152), RCRA Cluster VIII (Checklist 167C.1), RCRA Cluster XIX (Checklists 219 and 221 ), RCRA Cluster XX (Checklist 224 ³ ), RCRA Cluster XXVII (Checklists 240 and 241), RCRA Cluster XXVIII (Checklist 242), RCRA Cluster XXIX (Checklist 243), and Cluster XXX (Checklist 244). The EPA concludes that North Carolina's application to revise its authorized program meets all of the statutory and regulatory requirements established under RCRA, as set forth in RCRA section 3006(b), 42 U.S.C. 6926(b), and 40 CFR part 271. Therefore, the EPA grants North Carolina final authorization to operate its hazardous waste program with the changes described in the PRA, and as outlined below in Section VI of this document.

North Carolina has responsibility for permitting treatment, storage, and disposal facilities within its borders (except in Indian country, as defined at 18 U.S.C. 1151) and for carrying out the aspects of the RCRA program described in its PRA, subject to the limitations of HSWA, as discussed above.

IV. What is the effect of this authorization decision?

The effect of this decision is that the changes described in North Carolina's PRA will become part of the authorized State hazardous waste program and will therefore be federally enforceable. North Carolina will continue to have primary enforcement authority and responsibility for its State hazardous waste program. The EPA will maintain its authorities under RCRA sections 3007, 3008, 3013, and 7003, including its authority to:

• Conduct inspections, and require monitoring, tests, analyses, and reports;
• Enforce RCRA requirements, including authorized State program requirements, and suspend or revoke permits; and
• Take enforcement actions regardless of whether the State has taken its own actions.

This action does not impose additional requirements on the regulated community because the regulations for which the EPA is authorizing North Carolina are already effective under State law and are not changed by this action.

V. What has North Carolina previously been authorized for?

North Carolina initially received final authorization on December 14, 1984, effective December 31, 1984 (49 FR 48694), to implement a hazardous waste management program. The EPA granted authorization for changes to North Carolina's program on the following dates: March 25, 1986, effective April 8, 1986 (51 FR 10211); August 5, 1988, effective October 4, 1988 (53 FR 29460); February 9, 1989, effective April 10, 1989 (54 FR 6290); September 22, 1989, effective November 21, 1989 (54 FR 38993); January 18, 1991, effective March 19, 1991 (56 FR 1929); April 10, 1991, effective June 9, 1991 (56 FR 14474); July 19, 1991, effective September 17, 1991 (56 FR 33206); April 27, 1992, effective June 26, 1992 (57 FR 15254); December 12, 1992, effective February 16, 1993 (57 FR 59825); January 27, 1994, effective March 28, 1994 (59 FR 3792); April 4, 1994, effective June 3, 1994 (59 FR 15633); June 23, 1994, effective August 22, 1994 (59 FR 32378); November 10, 1994, effective January 9, 1995 (59 FR 56000); September 27, 1995, effective November 27, 1995 (60 FR 49800); April 25, 1996, effective June 24, 1996 (61 FR 18284); October 23, 1998, effective December 22, 1998 (63 FR 56834); August 25, 1999, effective October 25, 1999 (64 FR 46298); February 28, 2002, effective April 29, 2002 (67 FR 9219); December 14, 2004, effective February 14, 2005 (69 FR 74444); March 23, 2005, effective May 23, 2005 (70 FR 14556); February 7, 2011, effective April 8, 2011 (76 FR 6561); June 14, 2013, effective August 13, 2013 (78 FR 35766); August 24, 2015, effective October 23, 2015 (80 FR 51141); and August 23, 2019, Effective October 10, 2019 (84 FR 54516).

VI. What changes is the EPA authorizing with this action?

North Carolina submitted a complete PRA, dated June 26, 2023, seeking authorization of changes to its hazardous waste management program in accordance with 40 CFR 271.21. This application included changes associated with Checklists 39.1, 50.1, 66.1, 126.1, 152, 167C.1, 219, and 240 through 244 from HSWA Cluster II and RCRA Clusters IV, VI, VIII, XIX, and XXVII through XXX. The EPA has determined, subject to receipt of written comments that oppose this action, that North Carolina's hazardous waste program revisions are equivalent to, consistent with, and no less stringent than the Federal program, and therefore satisfy all of the requirements necessary to qualify for final authorization. Therefore, the EPA grants final authorization to North Carolina for the following program changes:

VII. Where are the revised State rules different than the Federal rules?

When revised State rules differ from the Federal rules in the RCRA state authorization process, the EPA determines whether the State rules are equivalent to, more stringent than, or broader in scope than the Federal program. Pursuant to RCRA section 3009, 42 U.S.C. 6929, State programs may contain requirements that are more stringent than the Federal regulations. Such more stringent requirements can be federally authorized and, once authorized, become federally enforceable. Although the statute does not prevent States from adopting regulations that are broader in scope than the Federal program, states cannot receive Federal authorization for such regulations, and they are not federally enforceable. There are no State requirements in the program revisions listed in the table above that are considered to be broader in scope than the Federal requirements. The EPA has determined that certain regulations included in North Carolina's program revisions listed in the table above are more stringent than the Federal program. These more stringent requirements will become part of the federally enforceable RCRA program in North Carolina when authorized.

North Carolina's program is more stringent at 15A NCAC 13A .0108(c) and (d), insofar as these provisions require transporters to reconcile significant manifest discrepancies with the waste generator.

North Carolina's program is more stringent at 15A NCAC 13A .0111(b), insofar as these provisions require off-site recycling facilities that receive materials described in 40 CFR 266.70(a) to label containers and tanks holding recyclable materials with the words “Recyclable Material.”

It should be noted that States cannot receive authorization for certain Federal regulatory functions involving international shipments ( i.e., import and export provisions) such as those associated with the Canada Import Export Recovery and Disposal Code Changes Rule (Checklist 244) and the Imports and Exports of Hazardous Waste: Implementation of OECD Council Decision Rule (Checklist 152). Although North Carolina has adopted these rules to maintain its equivalency with the Federal program, it has appropriately maintained the Federal references. See 15A NCAC 13A .0101(b).

VIII. Who handles permits after the authorization takes effect?

When final authorization takes effect, North Carolina will issue permits for all the provisions for which it is authorized and will administer the permits it issues. The EPA will continue to administer any RCRA hazardous waste permits or portions of permits that the EPA issued prior to the effective date of authorization until they expire or are terminated. The EPA will not issue any new permits or new portions of permits for the provisions listed in the table above after the effective date of the final authorization. The EPA will continue to implement, and issue permits for HSWA requirements for which North Carolina is not yet authorized. The EPA has the authority to enforce State-issued permits after the State is authorized.

IX. How does today's action affect Indian country in North Carolina?

North Carolina is not authorized to carry out its hazardous waste program in Indian country within the State, which includes the Indian lands associated with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Therefore, this action has no effect on Indian country. The EPA retains jurisdiction over Indian country and will continue to implement and administer the RCRA program on these lands.

X. What is codification and is the EPA codifying North Carolina's hazardous waste program as authorized in this action?

Codification is the process of placing citations and references to the State's statutes and regulations that comprise the State's authorized hazardous waste program into the Code of Federal Regulations. The EPA does this by adding those citations and references to the authorized State rules in 40 CFR part 272. The EPA is not codifying the authorization of North Carolina's revisions at this time. However, the EPA reserves the ability to amend 40 CFR part 272, subpart II, for the authorization of North Carolina's program changes at a later date.

XI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted this action from the requirements of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011). This action authorizes State requirements for the purpose of RCRA section 3006 and imposes no additional requirements beyond those imposed by State law. Therefore, this action is not subject to review by OMB. This action is not an Executive Order 14094 (88 FR 21879, April 11, 2023) regulatory action because actions such as the authorization of North Carolina's revised hazardous waste program under RCRA are exempted under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because this action authorizes pre-existing requirements under State law and does not impose any additional enforceable duty beyond that required by State law, it does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538). For the same reason, this action also does not significantly or uniquely affect the communities of Tribal governments, as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This action will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999), because it merely authorizes State requirements as part of the State RCRA hazardous waste program without altering the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities established by RCRA. This action also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it is not economically significant, and it does not make decisions based on environmental health or safety risks. This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, “Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use” (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001), because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

Under RCRA section 3006(b), the EPA grants a State's application for authorization as long as the State meets the criteria required by RCRA. It would thus be inconsistent with applicable law for the EPA, when it reviews a State authorization application, to require the use of any particular voluntary consensus standard in place of another standard that otherwise satisfies the requirements of RCRA. Thus, the requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply. As required by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 (61 FR 4729, February 7, 1996), in issuing this rule, the EPA has taken the necessary steps to eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, minimize potential litigation, and provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct. The EPA has complied with Executive Order 12630 (53 FR 8859, March 15, 1988), by examining the takings implications of this action in accordance with the “Attorney General's Supplemental Guidelines for the Evaluation of Risk and Avoidance of Unanticipated Takings” issued under the Executive order. This action does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). “Burden” is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b). Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) establishes Federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision directs Federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high, and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations in the United States. Because this action authorizes pre-existing State rules which are at least equivalent to, and no less stringent than existing Federal requirements, and imposes no additional requirements beyond those imposed by State law, and there are no anticipated significant adverse human health or environmental effects, this rule is not subject to Executive Order 12898.

The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. The EPA will submit a report containing this document and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication in the Federal Register . A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register . This action is not a “major rule” as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This final action will be effective September 13, 2024.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 271

• Environmental protection
• Administrative practice and procedure
• Confidential business information
• Hazardous waste
• Hazardous waste transportation
• Indian lands
• Intergovernmental relations
• Penalties
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

Authority: This action is issued under the authority of sections 2002(a), 3006, and 7004(b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6912(a), 6926, and 6974(b).