The D.C. Circuit’s July 7, 2017 decision on EPA’s 2015 definition of solid waste rule (DSW Rule)[1] may change the regulation of hazardous waste in Louisiana. First, some background.

In 2008, EPA promulgated a definition of solid waste rule that was intended to foster waste recycling (2008 Rule).[2] Therein, among other things, EPA provided two exclusions from the definition of solid waste:[3] (a) the generator control exclusion (GCE) for material reclaimed under the control of the generator, and (b) the transfer based exclusion (TBE) where the material is reclaimed by a third party reclaimer that has a RCRA permit or, if the reclaimer has no permit, the generator has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the reclaimer legitimately reclaims the material. The 2008 Rule was not mandatory.[4]

In 2015, EPA promulgated the DSW Rule that likewise was intended to foster waste recycling.[5] Therein, among other thing, EPA revised the GCE and replaced the TBE with the verified recycler exclusion (VRE). Under the VRE, material is excluded from the definition of solid waste if it is reclaimed by a third party reclaimer that has a RCRA permit or that has been approved (via variance) by EPA or a qualified state. EPA also provided 4 factors (Legitimacy Factors) to determine whether material is legitimately recycled and thus not discarded material (ergo solid waste): (1) the material must provide a useful contribution to the recycling process or to a product or intermediate of the recycling process; (2) the recycling process must produce a valuable product or intermediate; (3) the generator and the recycler must manage the material as a valuable commodity when it is under their control; and (4) the product of the recycling process must be comparable to a legitimate product or intermediate[6]. The DSW Rule contained both mandatory provisions (legitimate recycling) and non-mandatory provisions (the GCE and VRE).

Last month, LDEQ revised its hazardous waste regulations to adopt the DSW Rule and those portions of the 2008 Rule that remained in place.[7]

But in its decision, the DC Circuit:  (1) vacated the VRE, except for its emergency preparedness and response requirements and its expanded containment requirements; (2) reinstated the TBE (including its bar on spent catalysts); and (3) generally vacated Legitimacy Factor 4.[8]

The DC Circuit may reconsider its decision, and the Supreme Court may revise the decision on appeal. In the meantime, the decision’s effect is unclear and the Louisiana regulated community needs guidance from EPA and LDEQ.

Until then, it appears the DC Circuit’s decision will have the following effect in Louisiana:

  • The VRE is no longer available.
  • The TBE is not currently available (because it was never adopted in Louisiana).
  • If LDEQ amends its rules to adopt the TBE, spent catalysts will be barred, the generator will need to comply with the VRE emergency preparedness and response provisions, and the VRE expanded containment requirements will apply.
  • Because LDEQ’s hazardous program can be more stringent than EPA’s, until LDEQ amends its rules or otherwise stays enforcement, Legitimacy Factor 4 may remain in place for all recycling (not just under the GCE).

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[1] American Petroleum Institute v. EPA, No 09-1038 (D.C. Circuit 2017).

[2] 73 Fed. Reg. 64668 (October 30, 2008).

[3] Fundamentally, for a material to be a hazardous waste, it must first be a solid waste. Or stated differently, if a material is not a solid waste, it cannot be a hazardous waste. Thus, material excluded from the definition of solid waste will not be regulated as a hazardous waste.

[4] That is, qualified states — like Louisiana — that have been authorized by EPA to administer and enforce the state hazardous waste program in lieu of the federal program were not required by EPA to adopt the 2008 Rule in order to maintain their qualification (or delegation).

[5] 80 Fed. Reg. 1694 (January 13, 2015).

[6] Under the DSW Rule, for recycling to be legitimate, all four Legitimacy Factors have to be met.

[7] 43 La. Reg. 1151 (June 20, 2017).

[8] Because the GCE specifically requires compliance with the rule containing all four Legitimacy Factors (40 CFR 260.43(a)), Legitimacy Factor 4 apparently still will have to be met to establish legitimate recycling under the GCE.