Search

Texas Plans January 2022 Effective Date for RCRA Generator Improvements

Posted on 4/29/2021 by Roger Marks

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has released projected milestone dates for a rulemaking that will adopt three updates to the RCRA hazardous waste regulations—including the landmark Generator Improvements Rule.  

Like most states, Texas is authorized to run its own RCRA hazardous waste program. To keep that authorization, the state must maintain hazardous waste rules that are at least as stringent as the Federal RCRA requirements. 

In addition to re-organizing the RCRA regulations, EPA’s Generator Improvements Rule added stricter management requirements for hazardous waste generators, including but not limited to:
  • Expanded contingency plan and emergency preparedness requirements;
  • New marking/labeling requirements for hazardous waste containers and tanks;
  • A re-notification requirement for large and small quantity generators; and
  • Stricter requirements for incompatible wastes in satellite areas.
The GIR also clarified the recordkeeping requirements concerning hazardous waste determinations and added a new exclusion for episodic events that generate hazardous waste (such as lab clean outs or spills).

Under Rule Project 2019-086-WS, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) plans to propose an update rule by the end of July 2021. TCEQ will collect public comments throughout August and publish an official notice of adoption by year’s end.

The projected effective date of the rulemaking is January 6, 2022. 

Be ready when new RCRA rules take effect in Texas! Join an expert instructor when the RCRA & Texas Hazardous and Industrial Waste Management Workshops return to Houston and Dallas in August 2021. 

Also in this Rule Project: HWP and DSW

This rule project will adopt two other recent updates to the hazardous waste regulations as well: EPA’s management standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals (HWP) and a revision to the Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) made in 2018.

The new standards for HWP prohibited discharge of pharmaceuticals into public sewer systems and created streamlined, mandatory management standards for healthcare facilities and reverse distributors of pharmaceutical hazardous wastes. The restriction on sewer disposal is already in effect nationally.

The Definition of Solid Waste, which impacts recycling provisions for hazardous wastes, was updated in 2018 following a legal challenge to a previous DSW revision made in 2015. In brief, the 2015 rule created new requirements for recycling or reclaiming hazardous secondary materials.

A D.C. Circuit Court later invalidated parts of the 2015 rule, but upheld new containment and contingency planning requirements.

Lion News covered the DSW revisions in more detail in June 2018.

August 2021: Lion Workshops Return to Texas

Be ready when new RCRA rules take effect in Texas! Join an expert instructor when the RCRA & Texas Hazardous and Industrial Waste Management Workshops return to Houston and Dallas in August 2021. 

This in-depth three day training covers the latest requirements for managing your site's waste. It is designed to help satisfy annual training mandates for hazardous waste personnel under 40 CFR 262.17 and 30 TAC 335.69(a)(4)(A). 

Tags: generator improvements rule, hazardous waste, Texas

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

The instructor's energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the subject make the class a great learning experience!

Brian Martinez

Warehouse Operator

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

This was the 1st instructor that has made the topic actually enjoyable and easy to follow and understand. Far better than the "other" training providers our company has attended!

Lori Hardy

Process & Resource Administrator

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Spot and correct 4 of the most common universal waste errors before they result in a notice of violation during a Federal or state inspection.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.