Reminder of Tightened Satellite Area Rules in California

California’s Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) is reminding hazardous waste generators in the State about a recent change to the regulations governing satellite accumulation areas or SAAs. Under Federal and State hazardous waste regulations, generators may accumulate up to 55 gallons of non-acute hazardous waste and/or either 1 quart of liquid acute hazardous waste or 1 quart of extremely hazardous waste. 

California: New Limit in Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAAs) 

In the past, California allowed generators to count incompatible wastes separately in satellite areas and to generate up to 55 gallons of each incompatible waste. This is no longer the case. 

Generators in California are now subject to the combined limit of 55 gallons for all waste streams generated in a satellite area. The reminder appeared in the Cal/EPA Unified Program Newsletter for March 2025, on page 7. 

An excerpt from the reminder reads: 

The US EPA has recently emphasized the changes to the SAA regulations under the 22 CCR 66262.15(a), generators may accumulate as much as 55 gallons of non-acute hazardous waste and/or either 1 quart of liquid acute hazardous waste or 1 quart of extremely hazardous waste at or near the generation point. Under the new regulations, the accumulation limits have shifted from allowing 55 gallons of a single waste stream to the combined limits.

California DTSC, Unified Program Newsletter (March 2025), 7.

Why Did DTSC Tighten the Limit for Satellite Areas?

California adopted US EPA’s RCRA Generator Improvements Rule in 2024, which entailed substantial revision and re-organization of the state hazardous waste regulations. DTSC also changed their rules for satellite areas to match the Federal standards at this time. The revised satellite area requirement appears in California’s State regulations at 22 CCR 66262.15(a).

May 2025: California Hazardous Waste Training 

Did your latest hazardous waste training address major revisions and new rules in California's State regulations? Lion delivers recently updated training backed by resources that highlight the important changes generators need to know when it comes to the RCRA Generator Improvements Rule, contingency planning and emergency planning, managing waste containers, treatment standards, and much more.

Join Lion for the two-day California Hazardous Waste Management Workshop for annually required training to get you up to speed with the latest state and Federal requirements your site must follow to prevent releases, civil penalties, and future liability. The workshop comes to Ontario, CA on May 6–7 and San Diego, CA on May 12–13. 
 

Tags: California, hazardous waste, RCRA