99-1335. Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities and Hazardous Waste Generators; Organic Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments, and Containers  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 3382-3391]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-1335]
    
    
    
    [[Page 3381]]
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    Part V
    
    
    
    
    
    Environmental Protection Agency
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    40 CFR Parts 262, 264, and 265
    
    
    
    Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities and 
    Hazardous Waste Generators; Organic Air Emission Standards for Tanks, 
    Surface Impoundments, and Containers; Final Rule
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 13 / Thursday, January 21, 1999 / 
    Rules and Regulations
    
    [[Page 3382]]
    
    
    
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Parts 262, 264, and 265
    
    [IL-64-2-5807; FRL-6221-9]
    RIN 2060-AG44
    
    
    Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities and 
    Hazardous Waste Generators; Organic Air Emission Standards for Tanks, 
    Surface Impoundments, and Containers
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Final rule; clarification and technical amendment.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: Under the authority of the Resource Conservation and Recovery 
    Act (RCRA), as amended, the EPA has promulgated standards (59 FR 62896, 
    December 6, 1994) to reduce organic air emissions from certain 
    hazardous waste management activities to levels that are protective of 
    human health and the environment. (The standards are known colloquially 
    as the ``subpart CC'' standards due to their inclusion in subpart CC of 
    parts 264 and 265 of the RCRA subtitle C regulations). These air 
    standards control organic emissions from certain tanks, containers, and 
    surface impoundments (including tanks and containers at generators' 
    facilities) used to manage hazardous waste capable of releasing organic 
    waste constituents at levels which can harm human health and the 
    environment.
        Since publication of the final standards on December 6, 1994, the 
    EPA has given public notice and taken comment on several proposed 
    revisions to the final rule, and has made corresponding amendments. In 
    response to public comments and inquiries, today's action makes 
    clarifying amendments to certain regulatory text and reestablishes 
    certain regulatory provisions that were previously contained in the 
    rules and later inadvertently removed.
    
    DATES: These amendments are effective January 21, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: Docket. The supporting information used for the subpart CC 
    rulemaking is available for public inspection and copying in the RCRA 
    docket. The RCRA docket numbers pertaining to this rulemaking are F-91-
    CESP-FFFFF, F-92-CESA-FFFFF, F-94-CESF-FFFFF, F-94-CE2A-FFFFF, F-95-
    CE3A-FFFFF, F-96-CE3F-FFFFF, and F-96-CE4A-FFFFF. The RCRA docket is 
    located at Crystal Gateway, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, First Floor, 
    Arlington, Virginia.
        Review of docket materials is conducted at the Virginia address; 
    the public must have an appointment to review docket materials. 
    Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Docket Office at (703) 
    603-9230. The mailing address for the RCRA docket office is RCRA 
    Information Center (5305W), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M 
    Street SW, Washington, DC 20460.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information about the RCRA 
    Air Rules, or specific rule requirements of RCRA rules, please contact 
    the RCRA Hotline, toll-free at (800) 424-9346. Contacts for specific 
    information are listed in the ``Supplementary Information'' section of 
    this preamble.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Regulated Entities
    
        The entities potentially affected by this action include:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Category                  Examples of regulated entities
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Industry.....................  Businesses that treat, store, or dispose
                                    of hazardous waste and are subject to
                                    RCRA subtitle C permitting requirements,
                                    or that accumulate hazardous waste on-
                                    site in RCRA permit-exempt tanks or
                                    containers pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a).
    Federal Government...........  Federal agencies that treat, store, or
                                    dispose of hazardous waste and are
                                    subject to RCRA subtitle C permitting
                                    requirements, or that accumulate
                                    hazardous waste on-site in RCRA permit-
                                    exempt tanks or containers pursuant to
                                    40 CFR 262.34(a).
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
    guide for readers regarding entities likely to be interested in the 
    amendments to the regulation affected by this action. To determine 
    whether your facility is regulated by this action, you should carefully 
    examine the applicability criteria in Sec. 264.1030 and Sec. 265.1030 
    of the RCRA subpart AA rules, Sec. 264.1050 and Sec. 265.1050 of the 
    RCRA subpart BB rules, and Sec. 264.1080 and Sec. 265.1080 of the RCRA 
    subpart CC air rules.
    
    Informational Contacts
    
        If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to 
    a particular situation, or questions about compliance approaches, 
    permitting, enforcement and rule determinations, please contact the 
    appropriate regional representative in the table below:
    
    Region I: 
        Stephen Yee, (617) 565-3550
        Jim Gaffey, 565-3437
        U.S. EPA, Region I
        JFK Federal Building
        Boston, MA 02203-0001
    Region II:
        Abdool Jabar, (212) 637-4131
        John Brogard, 637-4162
        Jim Sullivan, 637-4138
        U.S. EPA, Region II
        290 Broadway
        New York, NY 10007-1866
    Region III: 
        Linda Matyskiela, (215) 566-3420
        Andrew Clibanoff, 566-3391
        U.S. EPA, Region III
        841 Chestnut Building
        Philadelphia, PA 19107
    Region IV: 
        Denise Housley, (404) 562-8495
        Rick Gillam, 562-8498
        Jan Martin, 562-8593
        Anita Shipley, 562-8466
        Donna Wilkinson, 562-8490
        Judy Sophianolpoulos, 562-8604
        David Langston, 562-8588
        U.S. EPA, Region IV
        61 Forsyth Street
        Atlanta, GA 30303
    Region V: 
        Jae Lee, (312) 886-3781
        Uylaine McMahan, 886-4454
        Mike Mikulka, 886-6760
        Ivonne Vicente, 886-4449
        Wen Huang, 886-6191
        U.S. EPA, Region V
        77 West Jackson Street
        Chicago, IL 60604
    Region VI: 
        Michelle Peace, (214) 665-7430
        Teena Wooten, 665-2279
        U.S. EPA, Region VI
        1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
        Dallas, TX 75202-2733
    Region VII: 
        Ed Buckner, (913) 551-7621
        Ken Herstowski, 551-7631
        U.S. EPA, Region VII
        726 Minnesota Avenue
        Kansas City, KS 66101
    Region VIII: 
        Mindy Mohr, (303) 312-6525
        Janice Pearson, 312-6354
        U.S. EPA, Region VIII
        999 18th Street, Suite 500
        Denver, CO 80202-2466
    Region IX: 
        Stacy Braye, (415) 774-2056
        Jean Daniel, 774-2128
        U.S. EPA, Region IX
        75 Hawthorne Street
        San Francisco, CA 94105
    Region X: 
        Linda Liu, (206) 553-1447
        David Bartus, 553-2804
        U.S. EPA, Region X
    
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        1200 Sixth Avenue
        Seattle, WA 98101
    
        For questions about testing or analytical methods mentioned in this 
    document, please contact Ms. Rima Dishakjian, Emission Measurement 
    Center (MD-19), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle 
    Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone number (919) 541-0443. For 
    information concerning the analyses performed in developing this rule, 
    contact Ms. Michele Aston, Emission Standards Division (MD-13), U.S. 
    Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 
    27711, telephone number (919) 541-2363, electronic mail address, 
    aston.michele@epa.gov.
    
    Background
    
        Section 3004(n) of RCRA requires EPA to develop standards to 
    control air emissions from hazardous waste treatment, storage, and 
    disposal facilities (TSDF) as may be necessary to protect human health 
    and the environment. This requirement echoes the general requirement in 
    RCRA section 3004(a) and section 3002(a)(3) to develop standards to 
    control hazardous waste management activities as may be necessary to 
    protect human health and the environment. The Agency has issued a 
    series of regulations to implement the section 3004(n) mandate; these 
    regulations control air emissions from certain process vents and 
    equipment leaks (part 264 and part 265, subparts AA and BB), and 
    emissions from certain tanks, containers, and surface impoundments (the 
    subpart CC standards, which are the primary subject of today's action).
        The EPA today is making technical amendments to the final subpart 
    AA and CC standards, and providing interpretations for certain 
    provisions of those rules. Since the publication of the final subpart 
    CC rule (59 FR 69826, December 4, 1994), the EPA has published four 
    Federal Register documents that delayed the effective date of that 
    rule, i.e., 60 FR 26828, May 19, 1995; 60 FR 56952, November 13, 1995; 
    61 FR 28508, June 5, 1996; 61 FR 59931, November 25, 1996). The 
    November 1996 notice established the ultimate effective date of 
    December 6, 1996. The EPA has also issued an indefinite stay of the 
    standards specific to units managing wastes produced by certain organic 
    peroxide manufacturing processes (60 FR 50426, September 29, 1995).
        On August 14, 1995, the EPA published a Federal Register document 
    entitled, ``Proposed rule; data availability'' (60 FR 41870) and opened 
    RCRA docket F-95-CE3A-FFFFF to accept comments on revisions that the 
    EPA was considering for the final subpart CC standards. The EPA 
    accepted public comments on the appropriateness of these revisions 
    through October 13, 1995. Throughout 1996 and 1997, the EPA engaged in 
    repeated discussions with representatives of the groups filing 
    petitions for review challenging the subpart CC standards.
        To further inform the affected public of the major clarifications, 
    compliance options, and technical amendments being considered, the EPA 
    conducted a series of seminars during August and September of 1995. At 
    that time, a total of six seminars were held nationally. An updated 
    series of six seminars was held in September through December 1996 and 
    two additional seminars were held March and April of 1997 in 
    conjunction with an industry trade association. (Refer to EPA RCRA 
    Docket No. F-95-CE3A-FFFFF.) During these seminars, additional comments 
    were received on the RCRA air rules for tanks, surface impoundments, 
    and containers.
        On February 9, 1996, the EPA published a Federal Register document 
    (61 FR 4903), ``Final rule; technical amendment,'' which made 
    clarifying amendments in the regulatory text of the final standards, 
    corrected typographical and grammatical errors, and clarified certain 
    language in the preamble to the final rule to better convey the EPA's 
    original intent.
        On November 25, 1996, the EPA published a Federal Register document 
    (61 FR 59932), ``Final rule'' that amended provisions of the final 
    subparts AA, BB, CC rules to better convey the EPA's original intent, 
    to provide additional flexibility to owners and operators who must 
    comply with the rules, and to change the effective date of the 
    requirements contained in the subpart CC rules to be December 6, 1996.
        On December 8, 1997, the EPA published a Federal Register document 
    (62 FR 64636), ``Final rule; clarification and technical amendment'' 
    that amended provisions of the final subparts AA, BB, CC rules to 
    clarify the regulatory text of the final standards; interpret those 
    standards; correct typographical, printing, and grammatical errors; and 
    clarify certain language published in the preambles of previous Federal 
    Register documents.
        Today's action makes technical amendments to the final subpart AA 
    and CC rules in order to further clarify the regulatory text of the 
    final standards; interpret those standards; and correct typographical, 
    printing, and grammatical errors.
    
    Outline.
    
        The information presented in this preamble is organized as follows:
    
    I. Part 262--Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
    II. Subpart AA: Air Emission Standards for Process Vents
    III. Subpart CC--Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface 
    Impoundments, and Containers
        A. Applicability
        B. Waste Determination Procedures
        C. Standards: Tanks
        D. Standards: Containers
    IV. Administrative Requirements
        A. Docket
        B. Paperwork Reduction Act
        C. Executive Order 12866
        D. Regulatory Flexibility
        E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
        F. Executive Order 13045
        G. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
        H. Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership Under Executive 
    Order 12875
        I. Executive Order 13084: Consultation and Coordination with 
    Indian Tribal Governments
        J. Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office
        K. Pollution Prevention Act
        L. Immediate Effective Date
    V. Legal Authority
    
    I. Subpart B--General Facility Standards
    
        Today's action replaces the references to the subpart AA, BB, and 
    CC standards in Secs. 262.34(a)(1)(i) and 262.34(a)(1)(ii) as standards 
    that must be met as conditions where a generator may accumulate 
    hazardous waste on-site for 90 days or less without a RCRA permit or 
    without having interim status. The references to subparts AA, BB, and 
    CC were removed mistakenly by the November 25, 1996, Federal Register 
    notice (61 FR 59950). At the time, it was thought that, since the 
    subparts were also referenced in Subpart I--Use and Management of 
    Containers at Sec. 264.179 and in Subpart J--Tank Systems at 
    Sec. 264.200, the references in Sec. 262.34, Accumulation time, were 
    redundant. It was later determined that the references to subparts AA, 
    BB, and CC are needed for clarity and the permit exemption criteria are 
    being replaced by today's notice.
    
    II. Subpart AA: Air Emission Standards for Process Vents
    
        The definition of ``equipment'' contained in subpart AA at 
    Sec. 254.1031 is being revised to include ``other connectors'' in the 
    list of components that are considered equipment under the subpart BB 
    Air Emission Standards
    
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    for Equipment Leaks. The applicability section of the subpart BB rules 
    states that the ``subpart applies to equipment that contains or 
    contacts hazardous waste * * *'' However, when the subpart BB rules 
    were originally promulgated in June of 1990 (55 FR 25495) the term 
    ``other connectors'' was inadvertently left out of the equipment 
    definition; this has caused some uncertainty regarding applicability of 
    the rule to other connectors. Nonetheless, it is clear that the EPA 
    intended other connectors to be included in the list of equipment 
    covered by the rule. This is demonstrated by the fact that the term 
    ``other connectors'' is used throughout Sec. 264.1058 and Sec. 265.1058 
    of the subpart BB standards whenever the equipment that is covered by 
    this section of the rule is listed. Also, the preamble to the final 
    subpart BB rules in Section V.C (i.e., Applicability and Requirements 
    of Today's Final Standards) clearly states in discussing affected 
    equipment at 55 FR 25465 (June 21, 1990) that ``* * * flanges and other 
    connectors must be monitored within 5 days by Reference Method 21 if 
    evidence of a potential leak is found * * *'' In addition, the original 
    Clean Air Act equipment leak rules (i.e., subpart VV in 40 CFR 60.481) 
    that served as the technical basis for the RCRA subpart BB equipment 
    leak standards do include the term ``other connector'' in the 
    definition of equipment subject to the rule. To correct this oversight, 
    the definition of ``equipment'' contained in subpart AA at 
    Sec. 254.1031 is being revised to include ``other connectors'' in the 
    list of components that are considered equipment under subpart BB.
        The definition for ``open-ended valve or line'' is being amended to 
    replace the term ``process fluid'' with the words ``hazardous waste.'' 
    The definition has included the term ``process fluid'' to characterize 
    an open-ended valve or line since the rule was originally published on 
    June 21, 1990 (55 FR 25495); i.e., ``* * * one side of the valve seat 
    in contact with process fluid and one side open to the atmosphere * * 
    *'' It was recently brought to the EPA's attention that the definition 
    should use the term ``hazardous waste'' rather than ``process fluid'', 
    since the subpart BB rules only apply to equipment (e.g., an open-ended 
    valve or line) that contains or contacts hazardous waste as stated in 
    the applicability sections at Sec. 264.1050(b) and Sec. 265.1050(b). In 
    addition, the RCRA air rules for open-ended valves or lines (at 
    Sec. 264.1056 and Sec. 265.1056) clearly refer to the material or fluid 
    in the valve or line as being hazardous waste. Therefore, as a part of 
    today's action the definition is being revised to avoid any confusion 
    regarding what constitutes an open-ended line or valve.
        Also within subpart AA, a definition is being added for ``sampling 
    connection system.'' This is being done in order to clarify the 
    difference between a ``sampling connection'' and an ``open-ended line'' 
    which have significantly different technical requirements under the 
    subpart BB rules. There has been some confusion regarding open-ended 
    lines being considered as sampling connections and the new definition 
    should eliminate any potential for overlap.
    
    III. Subpart CC--Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface 
    Impoundments, and Containers
    
    A. Applicability
    
        In today's action, the EPA is amending paragraph (b)(5) of 
    Sec. 264.1080 and Sec. 265.1080 to clarify that waste management units 
    that are used solely for on-site treatment or storage of hazardous 
    waste that is ``placed in the unit'' as a result of implementing 
    Federally required remedial activities are exempt from the requirements 
    of subpart CC. The language originally used in this paragraph stated 
    that the hazardous waste must be ``generated'' as a result of 
    implementing Federally required remedial activities. The word 
    ``generated'' does carry a certain programmatic connotation; therefore, 
    the word ``generated'' is being replaced because of the potential 
    confusion caused by some of the regulated community taking a strictly 
    regulatory interpretation of the term ``generated'' (i.e. viewing it as 
    a term of art) rather than a more literal, plain English interpretation 
    as was intended by the EPA in this context. For example, under the RCRA 
    regulations, section 260.10, the term ``generate'' carries a particular 
    legal context which was not intended to be strictly applied in this 
    paragraph. Therefore, the word ``generated'' is being replaced to avoid 
    any misinterpretation.
    
    B. Waste Determination Procedures
    
        Paragraph (a)(1)(i) of Sec. 264.1083 and Sec. 265.1084 is being 
    amended to add new paragraphs (i) and (ii) that affect the requirements 
    for when an owner or operator must make a determination of the volatile 
    organic (VO) concentration of the waste stream. These new paragraphs 
    effectively reestablish the previously contained requirements for 
    determining VO concentration for hazardous wastes placed in a waste 
    management unit exempted from using subpart CC air emission controls 
    because the waste has an average VO concentration at the point of waste 
    origination less than the action level of 500 ppmw.
        As originally published, the subpart CC rules required that an 
    initial determination of the average VO concentration of the hazardous 
    waste stream be made before the first time any portion of the waste is 
    placed in a waste management unit exempted from subpart CC air emission 
    controls under the action level criteria. (See Sec. 264.1083(a)(1), 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(1), Sec. 265.1084(a)(2)(i)(A), 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(2)(ii)(A), Sec. 265.1084(a)(3)(i)(A), and 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(3)(ii) in 59 FR 62938 through 62939, December 6, 
    1994.) Thereafter, a determination of the VO concentration was required 
    for each averaging period that a hazardous waste is managed in the 
    unit. (See Sec. 265.1084(a)(5)(ii) in 59 FR 62939, December 6, 1994.) 
    In addition, the owner or operator was required to perform a new 
    determination of the hazardous waste's VO concentration whenever 
    changes to the source generating the waste stream were reasonably 
    likely to cause the average VO concentration of the hazardous waste to 
    increase to a level that is equal to or greater than the applicable VO 
    concentration action level or concentration limits. (See 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(2)(i)(B), Sec. 265.1084(a)(2)(ii)(B), and 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(3)(i)(B) in 59 FR 62939, December 6, 1994.)
        In November 1996, the EPA expanded and reorganized the waste 
    determination procedures in Sec. 264.1083 and Sec. 265.1084 to allow 
    various test methods other than Method 25D to be used as direct 
    measurement in a waste determination. At this time, the EPA also 
    revised the waste determination procedures such that, for both point of 
    waste origination and point of waste treatment, no distinction was made 
    for batch or continuous processes or for whether the owner or operator 
    is the generator or receives the waste from off-site. In making these 
    changes, the EPA inadvertently removed the requirements, in paragraphs 
    (2) and (3) of Sec. 265.1084(a) and in paragraph 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(5)(ii), for when a determination of VO concentration 
    is required. Today's amendments reestablish those requirements 
    specifying when an owner or operator must determine the VO 
    concentration of a hazardous waste stream.
        Under the restored language in today's amendments, the owner or 
    operator must perform an initial
    
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    determination of the average VO concentration of the hazardous waste 
    stream before the first time any portion of the waste is placed in a 
    waste management unit exempted from subpart CC air emission controls 
    under the action level criteria. Following the initial VO concentration 
    determination, a determination of the VO concentration is required for 
    each averaging period that a hazardous waste is managed in the unit. 
    This means that the owner or operator must have a current and up-to-
    date VO concentration determination on record for each hazardous waste 
    stream managed in a waste management unit exempted from subpart CC air 
    emission controls under the action level criteria. This VO 
    concentration determination must reflect the VO concentration of the 
    waste currently managed in the unit over the time frame covered by the 
    specified averaging period.
        In addition, the owner or operator is required to perform a new 
    determination of the hazardous waste's VO concentration whenever 
    changes to the source generating the waste stream are reasonably likely 
    to cause the average VO concentration of the hazardous waste to 
    increase to a level that is equal to or greater than the applicable VO 
    concentration action level or concentration limits.
        The following example illustrates the requirement that the owner or 
    operator have an initial as well as a current and up-to-date VO 
    concentration determination on record for each hazardous waste stream 
    managed in a waste management unit exempted from subpart CC air 
    emission controls under the action level criteria. Assume that a TSDF 
    owner has a production process that continuously generates a hazardous 
    waste. Just prior to December 6, 1996, the effective date of the rule, 
    the TSDF owner determines by direct measurement using Method 25D that, 
    using a 6-month averaging period, the particular hazardous waste stream 
    had an average VO concentration of 250 ppmw at the point of waste 
    origination. The owner then records that for the 6-month period 
    beginning with December 6, 1996, this particular generated waste stream 
    has an average VO concentration of 250 ppmw; this serves as the initial 
    determination of VO concentration as required under 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(1)(i) in today's amendments.
        Because the example waste stream has a VO concentration less than 
    the action level of 500 ppmw, the owner manages the hazardous waste in 
    a unit that is not equipped with subpart CC air emission controls. 
    Under the requirements being reestablished in today's amendments, by 
    June 6, 1997 (i.e., the end of the first 6-month averaging period) the 
    owner must perform a new waste VO concentration determination for the 
    next 6-month averaging period that would run from June 6 to December 6, 
    1997. In this example, the owner now elects to perform the new VO 
    concentration determination using knowledge of the waste rather than 
    using direct measurement as was done previously using Method 25D. The 
    owner however does use the results of the first direct measurement, 
    together with process engineering knowledge and experience (e.g., no 
    change has been made to the raw materials or process technology for the 
    steady-state production operation generating the waste) as the basis 
    for the ``knowledge'' based VO concentration determination. Therefore, 
    the owner records that for the 6-month averaging from June 6 to 
    December 6, 1997, this particular waste stream has an average VO 
    concentration of 250 ppmw. This waste VO concentration determination 
    meets the requirements in Sec. 265.1084(a)(1)(i) of today's amendments 
    that a VO concentration determination be made for each averaging period 
    that a hazardous waste is managed in a unit exempt from air emission 
    controls under the action level criteria.
        To continue the example, the owner repeats this same process for 
    the averaging period that runs from December 6, 1997, to June 6, 1998. 
    However, in April 1998, the owner modifies the production process and 
    determines that this modification has the potential to cause the 
    average VO concentration of the hazardous waste generated to increase 
    to a level that is equal to or greater than the 500 pppmw action level. 
    In this situation, under the requirements reestablished by today's 
    action, the owner would be required to perform a new determination of 
    the average VO concentration because of the changes to the source 
    generating the waste. (See Sec. 265.1084(a)(1)(ii) in today's 
    amendments.)
        Without today's amendments to the waste determination requirements 
    of subpart CC, there is effectively no requirement (or guidance) 
    provided within the rules as to when an owner or operator must 
    determine the VO concentration of a hazardous waste stream. This was 
    not EPA's intent. We intended that the owner or operator maintain a 
    current VO concentration determination for each averaging period. This 
    is clearly illustrated by the preamble discussion in the December 6, 
    1994 Federal Register notice, which states (at 59 FR 62916): ``If an 
    average volatile organic concentration is used, an initial waste 
    determination must be performed for each averaging period.'' Today's 
    amendments reestablish requirements specifying when an owner or 
    operator must determine the VO concentration of a hazardous waste 
    stream.
        In other changes to the waste determination provisions of subpart 
    CC, the EPA is amending the waste sampling provisions of the rule to 
    clarify requirements related to the sampling period. In November 1996, 
    the EPA expanded and reorganized the waste determination procedures in 
    Sec. 264.1083 and Sec. 265.1084; the requirements regarding sampling of 
    the hazardous waste stream for a direct measurement of the VO 
    concentration were also revised and reformatted. In doing so, 
    provisions previously in the rule at Sec. 265.1084(a)(5)(iv)(A) and 
    Sec. 265.1084(b)(4)(iv)(A) (see 59 FR 62939 and 59 FR 62941, December 
    6, 1994), requiring that all waste samples for a particular waste 
    determination be collected within a 1-hour period and that information 
    on waste quantity and operating conditions relative to the waste 
    samples be prepared and recorded, were inadvertently left out of the 
    rule language. This language is being restored in today's amendments.
        On December 8, 1997 (see 62 FR 64664), the EPA amended the language 
    regarding sampling for a waste determination in 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(3)(ii)(B) and Sec. 265.1084(b)(3)(ii)(B) to clarify 
    the EPA's intent regarding the number of samples required for a waste 
    determination. The amended paragraph stated (as did the published rule 
    language at Sec. 265.1084(a)(5)(iv)(A) and Sec. 265.1084(b)(4)(iv)(A) 
    [see 59 FR 62939, December 6, 1994]), that the average of four or more 
    sample results constitutes a waste determination for the waste stream. 
    This amended paragraph further clarified that one or more waste 
    determinations may be needed to represent the average VO concentration 
    over the complete range of waste compositions and quantities that occur 
    during the entire averaging period (due to normal variations in the 
    operating conditions for the source or process generating the hazardous 
    waste stream). Thus, to determine the average VO concentration of a 
    waste stream generated by a process with large seasonal variations in 
    waste quantity, or fluctuations in ambient temperature, several waste 
    determinations (consisting of four or more samples each) will be 
    required. In making the change in December of 1997, the amendment 
    failed to include the language previously contained at 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(5)(iv)(A) and Sec. 265.1084(b)(4)(iv)(A) (see 59 FR 
    62939
    
    [[Page 3386]]
    
    and 59 FR 62941, December 6, 1994) that the four samples needed for a 
    waste determination are required to be collected within a 1-hour time 
    period and that certain information relative to the waste samples must 
    be recorded. Today's amendments to Sec. 265.1084(a)(3)(ii) and 
    Sec. 265.1084(b)(3)(ii) add language in paragraph (B) that clearly 
    states that ``all samples for a given waste determination shall be 
    collected within a 1-hour period;'' and add a new paragraph (D) that 
    reestablishes the requirement that ``sufficient information shall be 
    prepared and recorded to document the waste quantity represented by the 
    samples and, as applicable, the operating conditions for the source or 
    process generating [or treating] the hazardous waste represented by the 
    samples.'' The information on waste quantity and operating conditions 
    is needed to properly calculate the mass-weighted average VO 
    concentration over the averaging period and to assess that the 
    averaging period used adequately characterizes the source or process 
    over the time period selected for the averaging period. The type of 
    information and data needed to meet this requirement should be clearly 
    specified in the ``site sampling plan'' required under paragraph (C) of 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(3)(ii) and Sec. 265.1084(b)(3)(ii).
        Also in the waste determination section of the rule, a portion of 
    sections Sec. 265.1084(a)(3)(iii) and Sec. 265.1084(b)(3)(iii) is 
    amended by today's action in order to clarify that, if the owner or 
    operator elects to adjust the individual test data measured by a method 
    other than Method 25D to the corresponding average VO concentration 
    value which would have been obtained had the waste samples been 
    analyzed using Method 25D, the adjustment must be made to all 
    individual chemical constituents that comprise the average VO 
    concentration. The constituent adjustment cannot be made on a selective 
    constituent basis. Because some of the constituent-specific adjustment 
    factors are greater than 1.0, selective use of the constituent 
    adjustment may not provide an accurate representation of the average VO 
    concentration as measured by Method 25D. The existing rule language at 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(3)(iii) and Sec. 265.1084(b)(3)(iii) states that ``the 
    concentration of each individual chemical constituent measured in the 
    waste'' may be corrected by multiplying the measured concentration by 
    the constituent-specific adjustment factor. The same point is made in 
    Sec. 265.1084(a)(4)(iii) which specifies the procure to be used to 
    adjust the data. This paragraph states that ``the measured 
    concentration for each individual chemical constituent contained in the 
    waste is multiplied by the appropriate constituent-specific adjustment 
    factor.'' The EPA's use of the phrase ``each individual chemical 
    constituent contained in the wastes'' is intended to convey the meaning 
    that all constituents in the waste must be adjusted using the 
    appropriate individual adjustment factor, if the owner or operator 
    elects to adjust the data. The EPA has in no way stated or otherwise 
    implied that constituent-specific concentration test data can be 
    adjusted on a selective constituent basis to characterize the VO 
    concentration.
    
    C. Standards: Tanks
    
        Paragraph (h)(3) of the tank standards in Sec. 264.1084 and 
    Sec. 265.1085 is being amended to allow owners or operators that elect 
    to use a pressure tank, to control air emissions under the subpart CC 
    rule, to purge the inert materials from the pressure tank as is 
    required by normal operation (i.e., good engineering practices) for 
    this type of tank system. The rule requires that, whenever hazardous 
    waste is in a pressure tank, the tank must operate as a closed system 
    that does not vent to the atmosphere. With today's changes, the owner 
    or operator is allowed to purge the tank as long as the purge stream is 
    routed to a closed-vent system and control device designed and operated 
    in accordance with the subpart CC rule requirements for closed-vent 
    systems and control devices. A tank operating in this manner is 
    technically meeting the alternative requirements for tanks using Tank 
    Level 2 controls as specified in Sec. 264.1084(d)(3) and 
    Sec. 265.1085(d)(3) which applies tanks vented through a closed-vent 
    system to a control device. Therefore, venting of a pressure tank under 
    controlled conditions complies with the subpart CC standards for Tank 
    Level 2 controls and is allowed under the rules.
    
    D. Standards: Containers
    
        Transfer requirements are being added to the Level 3 container 
    standards as a part of today's action. These requirements are 
    essentially the same as those for the (less stringent) Level 2 
    container standards. These transfer requirements for Level 3 containers 
    were inadvertently left out of the subpart CC requirements when they 
    were published in November 1996, 61 FR 59962. The EPA had intended that 
    the Level 3 container standards incorporate these transfer requirements 
    and today's amendments rectify that oversight.
    
    VI Administrative Requirements
    
    A. Docket
    
        Six RCRA dockets contain information pertaining to today's 
    rulemaking: (1) RCRA docket number F-91-CESP-FFFFF, which contains 
    copies of all BID references and other information related to the 
    development of the rule up through proposal; (2) RCRA docket number F-
    92-CESA-FFFFF, which contains copies of the supplemental data made 
    available for public comment prior to promulgation; (3) RCRA docket 
    number F-94-CESF-FFFFF, which contains copies of all BID references and 
    other information related to development of the final rule following 
    proposal; (4) RCRA docket number F-94-CE2A-FFFFF, which contains 
    information pertaining to waste stabilization operations performed in 
    tanks; (5) RCRA docket number F-95-CE3A-FFFFF, which contains 
    information about potential final rule revisions made available for 
    public comment; and (6) RCRA docket number F-96-CE4A-FFFFF, which 
    contains a copy of each of the comment letters submitted in regard to 
    the revisions that the EPA was considering for the final subpart CC 
    standards. The public may review all materials in these dockets at the 
    EPA RCRA Docket Office.
        The EPA RCRA Docket Office is located at Crystal Gateway, 1235 
    Jefferson Davis Highway, First Floor, Arlington, Virginia. Hand 
    delivery of items and review of docket materials are made at the 
    Virginia address. The public must have an appointment to review docket 
    materials. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Docket Office 
    at (703) 603-9230. The mailing address for the RCRA Docket Office is 
    RCRA Information Center (5305W), 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460. 
    The Docket Office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
    except for Federal holidays.
    
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The information collection requirements of the previously 
    promulgated RCRA air rules were submitted to and approved by the Office 
    of Management and Budget (OMB). A copy of this Information Collection 
    Request (ICR) document (OMB control number 1593.02) may be obtained 
    from Sandy Farmer, Information Policy Branch (2136); U.S. Environmental 
    Protection Agency; 401 M Street, SW; Washington, DC 20460 or by calling 
    (202) 260-2740.
    
    [[Page 3387]]
    
        Today's amendments to the RCRA air rules should have only a minor 
    impact on the information collection burden estimates made previously, 
    and that impact is expected to be a reduction. The changes consist of 
    new definitions, alternative test procedures, clarifications of 
    requirements, and additional compliance options. The changes are not 
    additional requirements, but rather, are reductions in previously 
    published requirements. In a number of instances, the changes simply 
    restore inadvertently deleted provisions, and all information 
    collection requirements in such provisions were previously approved. 
    The overall information-keeping requirements in the rule are being 
    reduced. Consequently, the ICR has not been revised.
    
    C. Executive Order 12866
    
        Under Executive Order 12866, the EPA must determine whether the 
    proposed regulatory action is ``significant'' and, therefore, subject 
    to the Office of Management and budget (OMB) review and the 
    requirements of the Executive Order. The Executive Order defines 
    ``significant regulatory action'' as one that is likely to lead to a 
    rule that may:
        (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 
    adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
    economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
    health or safety in State, local, or tribal governments or communities;
        (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
    action taken or planned by another agency;
        (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
    user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and obligations of 
    recipients thereof; or
        (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
    mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
    the Executive Order.
        The RCRA subpart CC air rules published on December 6, 1994, were 
    considered significant under Executive Order 12866, and EPA accordingly 
    prepared a regulatory impact analysis (RIA). The amendments published 
    today make technical changes to the rule and correct structural 
    problems with the drafting of some sections. This action is not a 
    ``significant regulatory action'' within the meaning of Executive Order 
    12866; thus, OMB review of the action is not required.
    
    D. Regulatory Flexibility
    
        Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
    as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
    1996 (SBREFA), whenever an agency is required to publish a notice of 
    rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make 
    available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that 
    describes the effect of the rule on small entities such as small 
    businesses, small organization and small governments. However, no 
    regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the agency certifies the 
    rule will not have a significant adverse economic impact on a 
    substantial number of small entities. For the reasons discussed in the 
    December 6, 1994 Federal Register (59 FR 62923), the subpart CC rules 
    themselves do not have a significant impact on a substantial number of 
    small entities. The present rule only makes technical changes to the 
    subpart AA and CC rules, and does not add new control requirements to 
    the December 1994 rule. The amendments in fact reduce the already-
    existing requirements. Therefore, I certify that this rule will not 
    have a significant adverse economic impact on a substantial number of 
    small entities and therefore does not require a regulatory flexibility 
    analysis.
    
    E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    
        Under section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
    (``Unfunded Mandates Act''), the EPA must prepare a budgetary impact 
    statement to accompany any proposed or final rule that includes a 
    Federal mandate that may result in estimated costs to State, local, or 
    tribal governments in the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 
    million or more. Under section 205, the EPA must select the most cost-
    effective and least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives 
    of the rule and is consistent with statutory requirements. Section 203 
    requires the EPA to establish a plan for informing and advising any 
    small governments that may be significantly or uniquely impacted by the 
    rule.
        The EPA has determined that the action promulgated today does not 
    include a Federal mandate that may result in estimated costs of $100 
    million or more to either State, local, or tribal governments in the 
    aggregate or to the private sector. Therefore, the requirements of the 
    Unfunded Mandates Act do not apply to this action.
    
    F. Executive Order 13045
    
        Executive Order 13045 applies to any rule that EPA determines (1) 
    economically significant as defined under E.O. 12866, and (2) the 
    environmental health or safety risk addressed by the rule has a 
    disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action meets 
    both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health or 
    safety effects of the planned rule on children and explain why the 
    planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 
    reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.
        These final amendments are not subject to E.O. 13045, entitled 
    Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks 
    (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because they are not economically 
    significant regulatory actions as defined by E.O. 12866.
    
    G. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    
        Under Sec. 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and 
    Advancement Act (NTTAA), the Agency is required to use voluntary 
    consensus standards in its regulatory and procurement activities unless 
    to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise 
    impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards 
    (such as materials specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, 
    and business practices) which are developed or adopted by voluntary 
    consensus standard bodies. Where available and potentially applicable 
    voluntary consensus standards are not used by EPA, the Act requires the 
    Agency to provide Congress, through the OMB, an explanation of the 
    reasons for not using such standards. Today's action does not put forth 
    any technical standards as part of the clarifying amendments. 
    Therefore, consideration of voluntary consensus standards was not 
    required.
    
    H. Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership Under Executive Order 
    12875
    
        Under Executive Order 12875, EPA may not issue a regulation that is 
    not required by statute and that creates a mandate upon a State, local 
    or tribal government, unless the Federal government provides the funds 
    necessary to pay the direct compliance costs incurred by those 
    governments, or EPA consults with those governments. If EPA complies by 
    consulting, Executive Order 12875 requires EPA to provide the Office of 
    Management and Budget a description of the extent of EPA's prior 
    consultation with representatives of affected State, local and tribal 
    governments, the nature of their concerns, copies of any written 
    communications from the governments, and a statement supporting the 
    need to issue the regulation. In addition,
    
    [[Page 3388]]
    
    Executive Order 12875 requires EPA to develop an effective process 
    permitting elected officials and other representatives of State, local 
    and tribal governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in the 
    development of regulatory proposals containing significant unfunded 
    mandates.''
        Today's action does not create a mandate on State, local or tribal 
    governments. The amendments to the rule do not impose any new or 
    additional enforceable duties on these entities. Accordingly, the 
    requirements of section 1(a) of Executive Order 12875 do not apply to 
    this action.
    
    I. Executive Order 13084: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
    Tribal Governments
    
        Under Executive Order 13084, EPA may not issue a regulation that is 
    not required by statue, that significantly or uniquely affects the 
    communities of Indian tribal governments, and that imposes substantial 
    direct compliance costs on those communities, unless the Federal 
    government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance 
    costs incurred by the tribal governments, or EPA consults with those 
    governments. If EPA complies by consulting, Executive Order 13084 
    requires EPA to provide to the Office of Management and Budget, in a 
    separately identified section of the preamble to the rule, a 
    description of the extent of EPA's prior consultation with 
    representatives of affected tribal governments, a summary of the nature 
    of their concerns, and a statement supporting the need to issue the 
    regulation. In addition, Executive Order 13084 requires EPA to develop 
    an effective process permitting elected officials and other 
    representatives of Indian tribal governments ``to provide meaningful 
    and timely input in the development of regulatory policies on matters 
    that significantly or uniquely affect their communities.''
        Today's amendments to the final rule do not significantly or 
    uniquely affect the communities of Indian tribal governments. The 
    amendments to the rule do not impose any new or additional enforceable 
    duties on these entities. Accordingly, the requirements of section 3(b) 
    of Executive Order 13084 do not apply to this action.
    
    J. Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office
    
        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. However, section 808 provides that any rule for which 
    the issuing agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding 
    and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rule) that notice and 
    public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary or contrary to 
    the public interest, shall take effect at such time as the agency 
    promulgating the rule determines. 5 U.S.C. Sec. 808(2). As stated 
    previously, EPA has made such a good cause finding, including the 
    reasons therefor, and established an effective date of January 21, 
    1999. EPA will submit a report containing this rule 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 of 
    the rule in the Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as 
    defined by 5 U.S.C. Sec. 804(2).
    
    K. Pollution Prevention Act
    
        The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 states that pollution should 
    be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible. As originally 
    published, the final subpart AA, BB, and CC emission standards for 
    units managing hazardous wastes contain an applicability threshold or 
    action level formatted in terms of either a total or volatile organic 
    concentration of the hazardous waste that must be exceeded in order for 
    a particular standard to apply. By formulating the standard in this 
    way, flexibility is allowed for facility owners or operators to 
    initiate process modifications or incorporate treatment technologies 
    that will accomplish the same environmental results at lower costs; 
    this encourages pollution prevention alternatives that reduce the 
    organic content of the hazardous waste generated. Today's amendments to 
    the RCRA air rules in no way affect the pollution prevention 
    alternatives and measures previously incorporated into the final rules.
    
    L. Immediate Effective Date
    
        The EPA has determined to issue this rule without first proposing 
    it and to make today's action effective immediately. The EPA believes 
    that the corrections being made in today's action are either 
    interpretations of existing regulations which do not require prior 
    notice and opportunity for comment, or are technical corrections of 
    obvious errors in the published rules (for example, corrections to 
    regulations inconsistent with or not carrying out statements in the 
    preamble or Background Information Document, or restoration of 
    provisions which were deleted inadvertently). Comment on such changes 
    is unnecessary, within the meaning of 5 USC 553(b)(3)(B). For the same 
    reason, there is good cause for the rules to be made effective 
    immediately, within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
    
    VII. Legal Authority
    
        These regulations are amended under the authority of sections 2002, 
    3001-3007, 3010, and 7004 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1970, as 
    amended by RCRA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6921-6927, 6930, and 6974).
    
    List of Subjects
    
    40 CFR part 262
    
        Environmental protection, Hazardous waste, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements.
    
    40 CFR Parts 264 and 265
    
        Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Container, Control 
    device, Hazardous waste, Inspection, Monitoring, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements, Surface impoundment, Tank, TSDF, Waste 
    determination.
    
        Dated: January 8, 1999.
    Robert Perciasepe,
    Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
    
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 40, chapter I, parts 
    262, 264, and 265 of the Code of Federal Regulations are amended as 
    follows:
    
    PART 262--STANDARD APPLICABLE TO GENERATORS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
    
        1. The authority citation for part 262 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6906, 6912, 6299, 6925, 6937, and 6938, 
    unless otherwise noted.
    
        2. Section 262.34 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and 
    (a)(1)(ii) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 262.34  Accumulation time.
    
        (a) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (i) In containers and the generator complies with the applicable 
    requirements of subparts I, AA, BB, and CC of 40 CFR part 265; and/or
        (ii) In tanks and the generator complies with the applicable 
    requirements of subparts J, AA, BB, and CC of 40 CFR part 265 except 
    Secs. 265.197(c) and 265.200; and/or
    * * * * *
    
    [[Page 3389]]
    
    PART 264--STANDARDS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE 
    TREATMENT, STORAGE, AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES
    
        3. The authority citation for part 264 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6912(a), 6924 and 6925.
    
    Subpart AA--Air Emission Standards for Process Vents
    
        4. Section 264.1031 is amended by revising the definitions of 
    ``Equipment'' and ``Open-ended valve or line'' and adding a new 
    definition for the term ``Sampling connection system'' in alphabetical 
    order to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 264.1031  Definitions.
    
    * * * * *
        Equipment means each valve, pump, compressor, pressure relief 
    device, sampling connection system, open-ended valve or line, or flange 
    or other connector, and any control devices or systems required by this 
    subpart.
    * * * * *
        Open-ended valve or line means any valve, except pressure relief 
    valves, having one side of the valve seat in contact with hazardous 
    waste and one side open to the atmosphere, either directly or through 
    open piping.
    * * * * *
        Sampling connection system means an assembly of equipment within a 
    process or waste management unit used during periods of representative 
    operation to take samples of the process or waste fluid. Equipment used 
    to take non-routine grab samples is not considered a sampling 
    connection system.
    * * * * *
    
    Subpart CC--Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments, 
    and Containers
    
        5. Section 264.1080 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(5) to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 264.1080  Applicability.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (5) A waste management unit that is used solely for on-site 
    treatment or storage of hazardous waste that is placed in the unit as a 
    result of implementing remedial activities required under the 
    corrective action authorities of RCRA sections 3004(u), 3004(v), or 
    3008(h); CERCLA authorities; or similar Federal or State authorities.
    * * * * *
        6. Section 264.1083 is amended by adding new paragraphs (a)(1)(i), 
    (a)(1)(ii), (b)(1)(i), and (b)(1)(ii) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 264.1083  Waste determination procedures.
    
        (a) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (i) An initial determination of the average VO concentration of the 
    waste stream shall be made before the first time any portion of the 
    material in the hazardous waste stream is placed in a waste management 
    unit exempted under the provisions of Sec. 264.1082(c)(1) of this 
    subpart from using air emission controls, and thereafter an initial 
    determination of the average VO concentration of the waste stream shall 
    be made for each averaging period that a hazardous waste is managed in 
    the unit; and
        (ii) Perform a new waste determination whenever changes to the 
    source generating the waste stream are reasonably likely to cause the 
    average VO concentration of the hazardous waste to increase to a level 
    that is equal to or greater than the applicable VO concentration limits 
    specified in Sec. 264.1082 of this subpart.
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (i) An initial determination of the average VO concentration of the 
    waste stream shall be made before the first time any portion of the 
    material in the treated waste stream is placed in the exempt waste 
    management unit, and thereafter update the information used for the 
    waste determination at least once every 12 months following the date of 
    the initial waste determination; and
        (ii) Perform a new waste determination whenever changes to the 
    process generating or treating the waste stream are reasonably likely 
    to cause the average VO concentration of the hazardous waste to 
    increase to a level such that the applicable treatment conditions 
    specified in Sec. 264.1082 (c)(2) of this subpart are not achieved.
    * * * * *
        7. Section 264.1084 is amended by revising paragraph (h)(3) to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 264.1084  Standards: Tanks.
    
    * * * * *
        (h) * * *
        (3) Whenever a hazardous waste is in the tank, the tank shall be 
    operated as a closed system that does not vent to the atmosphere except 
    under either or the following conditions as specified in paragraph 
    (h)(3)(i) or (h)(3)(ii) of this section.
        (i) At those times when opening of a safety device, as defined in 
    Sec. 265.1081 of this subpart, is required to avoid an unsafe 
    condition.
        (ii) At those times when purging of inerts from the tank is 
    required and the purge stream is routed to a closed-vent system and 
    control device designed and operated in accordance with the 
    requirements of Sec. 264.1087 of this subpart.
    * * * * *
        8. Section 264.1086 is amended by adding new paragraph (e)(6) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 264.1086  Standards: Containers.
    
    * * * * *
        (e) * * *
        (6) Transfer of hazardous waste in or out of a container using 
    Container Level 3 controls shall be conducted in such a manner as to 
    minimize exposure of the hazardous waste to the atmosphere, to the 
    extent practical, considering the physical properties of the hazardous 
    waste and good engineering and safety practices for handling flammable, 
    ignitable, explosive, reactive, or other hazardous materials. Examples 
    of container loading procedures that the EPA considers to meet the 
    requirements of this paragraph include using any one of the following: 
    A submerged-fill pipe or other submerged-fill method to load liquids 
    into the container; a vapor-balancing system or a vapor-recovery system 
    to collect and control the vapors displaced from the container during 
    filling operations; or a fitted opening in the top of a container 
    through which the hazardous waste is filled and subsequently purging 
    the transfer line before removing it from the container opening.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 265--INTERIM STATUS STANDARDS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF 
    HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT, STORAGE, AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES
    
        9. The authority citation for part 265 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6906, 6912(a), 6924, 6925, 6912, 
    6922, 6923, 6935, 6936, and 6937.
    
    Subpart CC--Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments, 
    and Containers
    
        10. Section 265.1080 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(5) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 265.1080  Applicability.
    
    * * * * *
    
    [[Page 3390]]
    
        (b) * * *
        (5) A waste management unit that is used solely for on-site 
    treatment or storage of hazardous waste that is placed in the unit as a 
    result of implementing remedial activities required under the 
    corrective action authorities of RCRA sections 3004(u), 3004(v), or 
    3008(h); CERCLA authorities; or similar Federal or State authorities.
    * * * * *
        11. Section 265.1084 is amended by adding new paragraphs (a)(1)(i), 
    (a)(1)(ii), (a)(3)(ii)(D), (b)(1)(i), (b)(1)(ii) and (b)(3)(ii)(D) and 
    by revising paragraphs (a)(3)(ii)(B), (a)(3)(iii) introductory text, 
    (b)(3)(ii)(B), and (b)(3)(iii) introductory text, to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 265.1084  Waste determination procedures.
    
        (a) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (i) An initial determination of the average VO concentration of the 
    waste stream shall be made before the first time any portion of the 
    material in the hazardous waste stream is placed in a waste management 
    unit exempted under the provisions of Sec. 265.1083(c)(1) of this 
    subpart from using air emission controls, and thereafter an initial 
    determination of the average VO concentration of the waste stream shall 
    be made for each averaging period that a hazardous waste is managed in 
    the unit; and
        (ii) Perform a new waste determination whenever changes to the 
    source generating the waste stream are reasonably likely to cause the 
    average VO concentration of the hazardous waste to increase to a level 
    that is equal to or greater than the VO concentration limit specified 
    in Sec. 265.1083(c)(1) of this subpart.
    * * * * *
        (3) * * *
        (ii) * * *
        (B) A sufficient number of samples, but no less than four samples, 
    shall be collected and analyzed for a hazardous waste determination. 
    All of the samples for a given waste determination shall be collected 
    within a one-hour period. The average of the four or more sample 
    results constitutes a waste determination for the waste stream. One or 
    more waste determinations may be required to represent the complete 
    range of waste compositions and quantities that occur during the entire 
    averaging period due to normal variations in the operating conditions 
    for the source or process generating the hazardous waste stream. 
    Examples of such normal variations are seasonal variations in waste 
    quantity or fluctuations in ambient temperature.
    * * * * *
        (D) Sufficient information, as specified in the ``site sampling 
    plan'' required under paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(C) of this section, shall be 
    prepared and recorded to document the waste quantity represented by the 
    samples and, as applicable, the operating conditions for the source or 
    process generating the hazardous waste represented by the samples.
        (iii) Analysis. Each collected sample shall be prepared and 
    analyzed in accordance with one or more of the methods listed in 
    paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) through (a)(3)(iii)(I) of this section, 
    including appropriate quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) 
    checks and use of target compounds for calibration. If Method 25D in 40 
    CFR part 60, appendix A is not used, then one or more methods should be 
    chosen that are appropriate to ensure that the waste determination 
    accounts for and reflects all organic compounds in the waste with 
    Henry's law constant values at least 0.1 mole-fraction-in-the-gas-
    phase/mole-fraction-in-the-liquid-phase (0.1 Y/X) [which can also be 
    expressed as 1.8 x 10-6 atmospheres/gram-mole/m3] 
    at 25 degrees Celsius. Each of the analytical methods listed in 
    paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(B) through (a)(3)(iii)(G) of this section has an 
    associated list of approved chemical compounds, for which EPA considers 
    the method appropriate for measurement. If an owner or operator uses 
    EPA Method 624, 625, 1624, or 1625 in 40 CFR part 136, appendix A to 
    analyze one or more compounds that are not on that method's published 
    list, the Alternative Test Procedure contained in 40 CFR 136.4 and 
    136.5 must be followed. If an owner or operator uses EPA Method 8260 or 
    8270 in ``Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical 
    Methods,'' EPA Publication SW-846, (incorporated by reference--refer to 
    Sec. 260.11(a) of this chapter) to analyze one or more compounds that 
    are not on that method's published list, the procedures in paragraph 
    (a)(3)(iii)(H) of this section must be followed. At the owner or 
    operator's discretion, the owner or operator may adjust test data 
    measured by a method other than Method 25D to the corresponding average 
    VO concentration value which would have been obtained had the waste 
    samples been analyzed using Method 25D in 40 CFR part 60, appendix A. 
    To adjust these data, the measured concentration of each individual 
    chemical constituent contained in the waste is multiplied by the 
    appropriate constituent-specific adjustment factor (fm25D). 
    If the owner or operator elects to adjust test data, the adjustment 
    must be made to all individual chemical constituents with a Henry's law 
    constant value greater than or equal to 0.1 Y/X at 25 degrees Celsius 
    contained in the waste. Constituent-specific adjustment factors 
    (fm25D) can be obtained by contacting the Waste and Chemical 
    Processes Group, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research 
    Triangle Park, NC 27711.
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (i) An initial determination of the average VO concentration of the 
    waste stream shall be made before the first time any portion of the 
    material in the treated waste stream is placed in a waste management 
    unit exempted under the provisions of Sec. 265.1083(c)(2), 
    Sec. 265.1083(c)(3), or Sec. 265.1083(c)(4) of this subpart from using 
    air emission controls, and thereafter update the information used for 
    the waste determination at least once every 12 months following the 
    date of the initial waste determination; and
        (ii) Perform a new waste determination whenever changes to the 
    process generating or treating the waste stream are reasonably likely 
    to cause the average VO concentration of the hazardous waste to 
    increase to a level such that the applicable treatment conditions 
    specified in Sec. 265.1083(c)(2), Sec. 265.1083(c)(3), or 
    Sec. 265.1083(c)(4) of this subpart are not achieved.
    * * * * *
        (3) * * *
        (ii) * * *
        (B) A sufficient number of samples, but no less than four samples, 
    shall be collected and analyzed for a hazardous waste determination. 
    All of the samples for a given waste determination shall be collected 
    within a one-hour period. The average of the four or more sample 
    results constitutes a waste determination for the waste stream. One or 
    more waste determinations may be required to represent the complete 
    range of waste compositions and quantities that occur during the entire 
    averaging period due to normal variations in the operating conditions 
    for the process generating or treating the hazardous waste stream. 
    Examples of such normal variations are seasonal variations in waste 
    quantity or fluctuations in ambient temperature.
    * * * * *
        (D) Sufficient information, as specified in the ``site sampling 
    plan'' required under paragraph (C) of (b)(3)(ii)this section, 
    Sec. 265.1084(b)(3)(ii), shall be
    
    [[Page 3391]]
    
    prepared and recorded to document the waste quantity represented by the 
    samples and, as applicable, the operating conditions for the process 
    treating the hazardous waste represented by the samples.
    * * * * *
        (iii) Analysis. Each collected sample shall be prepared and 
    analyzed in accordance with one or more of the methods listed in 
    paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(A) through (b)(3)(iii)(I) of this section, 
    including appropriate quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) 
    checks and use of target compounds for calibration. When the owner or 
    operator is making a waste determination for a treated hazardous waste 
    that is to be compared to an average VO concentration at the point of 
    waste origination or the point of waste entry to the treatment system 
    to determine if the conditions of Sec. 264.1082(c)(2)(i) through 
    (c)(2)(vi) or Sec. 265.1083(c)(2)(i) through (c)(2)(vi) are met, then 
    the waste samples shall be prepared and analyzed using the same method 
    or methods as were used in making the initial waste determinations at 
    the point of waste origination or at the point of entry to the 
    treatment system. If Method 25D in 40 CFR part 60, appendix A is not 
    used, then one or more methods should be chosen that are appropriate to 
    ensure that the waste determination accounts for and reflects all 
    organic compounds in the waste with Henry's law constant values at 
    least 0.1 mole-fraction-in-the-gas-phase/mole-fraction-in-the-liquid-
    phase (0.1 Y/X) [which can also be expressed as 1.8 x 10-6 
    atmospheres/gram-mole/m3] at 25 degrees Celsius. Each of the analytical 
    methods listed in paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(B) through (b)(3)(iii)(G) of 
    this section has an associated list of approved chemical compounds, for 
    which EPA considers the method appropriate for measurement. If an owner 
    or operator uses EPA Method 624, 625, 1624, or 1625 in 40 CFR part 136, 
    appendix A to analyze one or more compounds that are not on that 
    method's published list, the Alternative Test Procedure contained in 40 
    CFR 136.4 and 136.5 must be followed. If an owner or operator uses EPA 
    Method 8260 or 8270 in ``Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, 
    Physical/Chemical Methods,'' EPA Publication SW-846, (incorporated by 
    reference--refer to Sec. 260.11(a) of this chapter) to analyze one or 
    more compounds that are not on that method's published list, the 
    procedures in paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(H) of this section must be 
    followed. At the owner or operator's discretion, the owner or operator 
    may adjust test data measured by a method other than Method 25D to the 
    corresponding average VO concentration value which would have been 
    obtained had the waste samples been analyzed using Method 25D in 40 CFR 
    part 60, appendix A. To adjust these data, the measured concentration 
    of each individual chemical constituent contained in the waste is 
    multiplied by the appropriate constituent-specific adjustment factor 
    (fm25D). If the owner or operator elects to adjust test 
    data, the adjustment must be made to all individual chemical 
    constituents with a Henry's law constant equal to or greater than 0.1 
    Y/X at 25 degrees Celsius contained in the waste. Constituent-specific 
    adjustment factors (fm25D) can be obtained by contacting the 
    Waste and Chemical Processes Group, Office of Air Quality Planning and 
    Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.
    * * * * *
        12. Section 265.1085 is amended by replacing paragraph (h)(3) 
    revising to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 265.1085  Standards: Tanks.
    
    * * * * *
        (h) * * *
        (3) Whenever a hazardous waste is in the tank, the tank shall be 
    operated as a closed system that does not vent to the atmosphere except 
    under either or the following conditions as specified in paragraph 
    (h)(3)(i) or (h)(3)(ii) of this section.
        (i) At those times when opening of a safety device, as defined in 
    Sec. 265.1081 of this subpart, is required to avoid an unsafe 
    condition.
        (ii) At those times when purging of inerts from the tank is 
    required and the purge stream is routed to a closed-vent system and 
    control device designed and operated in accordance with the 
    requirements of Sec. 265.1088 of this subpart.
    * * * * *
        13. Section 265.1087 is amended by adding new paragraph (e)(6) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 265.1087  Standards: Containers.
    
    * * * * *
        (e) * * *
        (6) Transfer of hazardous waste in or out of a container using 
    Container Level 3 controls shall be conducted in such a manner as to 
    minimize exposure of the hazardous waste to the atmosphere, to the 
    extent practical, considering the physical properties of the hazardous 
    waste and good engineering and safety practices for handling flammable, 
    ignitable, explosive, reactive, or other hazardous materials. Examples 
    of container loading procedures that the EPA considers to meet the 
    requirements of this paragraph include using any one of the following: 
    A submerged-fill pipe or other submerged-fill method to load liquids 
    into the container; a vapor-balancing system or a vapor-recovery system 
    to collect and control the vapors displaced from the container during 
    filling operations; or a fitted opening in the top of a container 
    through which the hazardous waste is filled and subsequently purging 
    the transfer line before removing it from the container opening.
    * * * * *
    [FR Doc. 99-1335 Filed 1-20-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
1/21/1999
Published:
01/21/1999
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule; clarification and technical amendment.
Document Number:
99-1335
Dates:
These amendments are effective January 21, 1999.
Pages:
3382-3391 (10 pages)
Docket Numbers:
IL-64-2-5807, FRL-6221-9
RINs:
2060-AG44: Technical Amendments to Hazardous Waste TSDF & Hazardous Waste Generators: Organic Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments & Containers
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2060-AG44/technical-amendments-to-hazardous-waste-tsdf-and-hazardous-waste-generators-organic-air-emission-sta
PDF File:
99-1335.pdf
CFR: (16)
40 CFR 260.11(a)
40 CFR 265.1084(b)(3)(ii)
40 CFR 265.1083(c)(3)
40 CFR 265.1083(c)(4)
40 CFR 265.1081
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