[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65652-65653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26329]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-RCRA-2014-0694, FRL-9918-93-OSWER]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Requirements and Exemptions for Specific RCRA Wastes

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to 
submit an information collection request (ICR), Requirements and 
Exemptions for Specific RCRA Wastes (EPA ICR No. 1597.11, OMB Control 
No. 2050-0145) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on 
specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described 
below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently 
approved through February 28, 2015. An Agency may not conduct or 
sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 5, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
RCRA-2014-0694, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred 
method), by email to [email protected], or by mail to: EPA Docket 
Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Vyas, Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: 703-308-5477; fax number: 703-308-8433; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail 
the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the 
public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at 
www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, EPA West, 
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The telephone 
number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting 
comments and information to enable it to: (i) Evaluate whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of 
the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (iv) minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. EPA 
will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. 
The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and 
approval. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice 
to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to 
submit additional comments to OMB.
    Abstract: In 1995, EPA promulgated regulations at 40 CFR Part 273 
that govern the collection and management of widely-generated hazardous 
wastes known as ``Universal Wastes''. Universal Wastes are generated in 
a variety of non-industrial settings, and are present in non-hazardous 
waste management systems. Examples of Universal Wastes include certain 
batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing lamps and thermostats. The 
Part 273 regulations are designed to ensure facilities collect these 
wastes and properly manage them in an appropriate hazardous waste 
management system. EPA distinguishes two types of handlers of Universal 
Wastes: Small quantity handlers of Universal Waste (SQHUW) and large 
quantity handlers of Universal Waste (LQHUW). SQHUWs do not accumulate 
more than 5,000 kg of any one category of Universal Waste at one time, 
while LQHUWs may accumulate quantities at or above this threshold. More 
stringent requirements are imposed on LQHUWs because of greater 
potential environmental risks. EPA needs to collect notifications of 
Universal Waste management from LQHUWs to obtain general information on 
these handlers and to facilitate enforcement of the Part 273 
regulations. EPA promulgated labeling and marking requirements and 
accumulation time limits to ensure that Universal Waste is being 
accumulated responsibly. EPA needs to collect information on illegal 
Universal Waste shipments to enforce compliance with applicable 
regulations.

[[Page 65653]]

Finally, EPA requires tracking of Universal Waste shipments to help 
ensure that Universal Waste is being properly treated, recycled, or 
disposed.
    In 2001, EPA promulgated regulations in 40 CFR Part 266 that 
provide increased flexibility to facilities managing wastes commonly 
known as ``Mixed Waste.'' Mixed Wastes are low-level mixed waste (LLMW) 
and naturally occurring and/or accelerator-produced radioactive 
material (NARM) containing hazardous waste. These wastes are also 
regulated by the Atomic Energy Act. As long as specified eligibility 
criteria and conditions are met, LLMW and NARM are exempt from the 
definition of hazardous waste as defined in Part 261. Although these 
wastes are exempt from RCRA manifest, transportation, and disposal 
requirements, facilities must still comply with the manifest, 
transportation, and disposal requirements under the NRC (or NRC-
Agreement State) regulations. Section 266.345(a) requires that 
generators or treaters notify EPA or the Authorized State that they are 
claiming the Transportation and Disposal Conditional Exemption prior to 
the initial shipment of a waste to a LLRW disposal facility. This 
exemption notice provides a tool for RCRA program regulatory agencies 
to become aware of the generator's exemption claims. The information 
contained in the notification package provides the RCRA program 
regulatory agencies with a general understanding of the claimant. This 
information also allows the agencies to document the generator's 
exemption status and to plan inspections and review exemption-related 
records.
    And finally, in 1992, EPA finalized management standards for used 
oils destined for recycling. The Agency codified the used oil 
management standards at 40 CFR Part 279. The regulations at 40 CFR Part 
279 establish, among other things, streamlined procedures for 
notification, testing, labeling, and recordkeeping. They also establish 
a flexible self-implementing approach for tracking off-site shipments 
that allow used oil handlers to use standard business practices (e.g., 
invoices, bill of lading). In addition, part 279 sets standards for the 
prevention and cleanup of releases to the environment during storage 
and transit. EPA believes these requirements will minimize potential 
mismanagement of used oils, while not discouraging recycling. Used oil 
transporters must comply with all applicable packaging, labeling, and 
placarding requirements of 49 CFR parts 173, 178, and 179. In addition, 
used oil transporters must report discharges of used oil according to 
existing 49 CFR part 171 and 33 CFR part 153 requirements.
    Form numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this action are Private Sector and State, Local, or Tribal Governments.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: mandatory (40 CFR Part 273), 
required to obtain or retain a benefit (40 CFR Parts 266 and 279).
    Estimated number of respondents: 123,114.
    Frequency of response: Occasionally.
    Total estimated burden: 65,165 hours. Burden is defined at 5 CFR 
1320.03(b).
    Total estimated cost: $34,535,019 which includes $10,012,855 
annualized capital and O&M costs and $24,522,164 annualized labor 
costs.
    Changes in estimates: The burden hours are likely to stay 
substantially the same.

    Dated: October 29, 2014.
Rosemarie Kelley,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery.
[FR Doc. 2014-26329 Filed 11-4-14; 8:45 am]
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