[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11209-11212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04756]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9943-23-Region 5]


Notice of Final Decision To Reissue the Ineos Nitriles USA LLC 
Land-Ban Exemption

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of final decision on a Request by Ineos Nitriles USA LLC 
of Lima, Ohio to Reissue its Exemption from the Land Disposal 
Restrictions under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given by the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency (U.S. EPA or Agency) that an exemption to the land disposal 
restrictions under the 1984 Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments to the 
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) has been granted to Ineos 
Nitriles USA LLC (formerly known as Ineos USA LLC) (Ineos) of Lima, 
Ohio for four Class I injection wells located in Lima, Ohio.

[[Page 11210]]

As required by 40 CFR part 148, Ineos has demonstrated, to a reasonable 
degree of certainty, that there will be no migration of hazardous 
constituents out of the injection zone or into an underground source of 
drinking water for at least 10,000 years. This final decision allows 
the continued underground injection by Ineos of those hazardous wastes 
designated by the codes in Table 1 through its four Class I hazardous 
waste injection wells identified as #1, #2, #3, and #4. This decision 
constitutes a final U.S. EPA action for which there is no 
administrative appeal.

DATES: This action is effective as of March 3, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Roy, Lead Petition Reviewer, 
U.S. EPA, Region 5, Underground Injection Control Branch, WU-16J, 77 W. 
Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604-3590; telephone number: (312) 
886-6556; fax number (312) 692-2951; email address: 
epa.gov">roy.stephen@epa.gov. Copies of the petition and all pertinent 
information are on file and are part of the Administrative Record. 
Please contact the lead reviewer to review the Administrative Record.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Ineos submitted a request for reissuance of 
its existing exemption from the land disposal restrictions for 
hazardous waste in August, 2005. U.S. EPA reviewed all data pertaining 
to the petition including, but not limited to, well construction, well 
operations, regional and local geology, seismic activity, penetrations 
of the confining zone, and computational models of the injection zone. 
U.S. EPA has determined that the hydrogeological and geochemical 
conditions at the site and the nature of the waste streams are such 
that injected fluids will not migrate out of the injection zone within 
10,000 years, as set forth at 40 CFR part 148. The injection zone 
includes the injection interval into which fluid is directly emplaced 
and the overlying arrestment interval into which fluid may diffuse. The 
injection interval for the Ineos facility is composed of the Lower Eau 
Claire Formation, the Mt. Simon Sandstone and the Middle Run Formation 
between 2,631 and 3,241 feet below ground level. The arrestment 
interval is composed of the Lower Black River Group, the Wells Creek 
Formation, the Knox Dolomite and the Upper Eau Claire Formation between 
1,631 and 2,631 feet below ground level. The confining zone is composed 
of the Upper Black River Group between 1,427 and 1,631 feet below 
ground level. The confining zone is separated from the lowermost 
underground source of drinking water (at a depth of approximately 400 
feet below ground level) by a sequence of permeable and less permeable 
sedimentary rocks. This sequence provides additional protection from 
fluid migration into drinking water sources.
    U.S. EPA issued a draft decision, which described the reasons for 
granting this exemption in more detail, a fact sheet, which summarized 
these reasons, and a public notice on September 10, 2015, pursuant to 
40 CFR 124.10. The public comment period ended on October 13, 2015. 
U.S. EPA received comments from one citizen during the comment period. 
U.S. EPA has prepared a response to these comments, which can be viewed 
at the following URL: http:\\epa.gov\region5\water\uic\ineos-response-
to-comments. The response is part of the Administrative Record for this 
decision. U.S. EPA is issuing the final exemption with no changes from 
the draft decision.

Conditions

    This exemption is subject to the following conditions. Non-
compliance with any of these conditions is grounds for termination of 
the exemption.
    (1) The exemption applies to the four existing hazardous waste 
injection wells, #1, #2, #3, and #4, located at the Ineos facility at 
1900 Fort Amanda Road, Lima, Ohio;
    (2) Injection of hazardous waste is limited to the parts of the 
Lower Eau Claire Formation, the Mt. Simon Sandstone and the Middle Run 
Formation at depths between 2,631 and 3,241 feet below ground level;
    (3) The only RCRA-restricted wastes that may be injected are those 
designated by the RCRA waste codes found in Table 1;
    (4) Maximum concentrations of chemicals that are allowed to be 
injected are listed in Table 2;
    (5) The average specific gravity of the injected waste stream must 
be between 1.00 and 1.05 over a three month period;
    (6) Ineos may inject up to 175 gallons per minute through each of 
its four wells, based on a monthly average;
    (7) This exemption is approved for the 20-year modeled injection 
period, which ends on January 31, 2025. Ineos may petition U.S. EPA for 
reissuance of the exemption beyond that date, provided that a new and 
complete petition and no-migration demonstration is received at U.S. 
EPA, Region 5, by June 30, 2024;
    (8) Ineos must submit a quarterly report containing the fluid 
analyses of the injected waste and indicate the chemical and physical 
properties, including the concentrations, of all the injected chemical 
constituents listed in Table 2 to U.S. EPA;
    (9) Ineos must submit an annual report containing the results of a 
bottom hole pressure survey (fall-off test) performed on one well each 
year to U.S. EPA. The survey must be performed after shutting down the 
well for sufficient time to conduct a valid observation of the pressure 
fall-off curve under 40 CFR 146.68(e)(1). The annual report must 
include a comparison of reservoir parameters determined from the fall-
off test with parameters used in the approved no-migration petition;
    (10) Ineos must submit the results of radioactive tracer surveys 
and annulus pressure tests for its four wells to U.S. EPA annually;
    (11) Ineos must notify U.S. EPA in writing if any well loses 
mechanical integrity and prior to any workover or plugging;
    (12) Ineos must fully comply with all requirements set forth in 
Underground Injection Control Permits #UIC 03-02-003-PTO-1, UIC 03-02-
004-PTO-1, UIC 03-02-005-PTO-01 and 03-02-006-PTO-1 issued by the Ohio 
Environmental Protection Agency;
    (13) Upon the expiration, cancellation, reissuance, or modification 
of the permits referenced above, this exemption is subject to review by 
U.S. EPA; and
    (14) Whenever U.S. EPA determines that the basis for approval of a 
petition under 40 CFR 148.23 and 148.24 may no longer be valid, U.S. 
EPA may terminate this exemption and will require a new demonstration 
in accordance with 40 CFR 148.20.

                                                Table 1--List of RCRA Waste Codes Approved for Injection
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     D001         D002         D003         D004         D005         D006         D007         D008         D009         D010         D011        D018
     D019         D035         D038         F039         K011         K013         K014         P003         P005         P030         P063        P069
     P098         P101         P106         P120         U001         U002         U003         U007         U008         U009         U019        U031
     U044         U053         U056         U057         U080         U112         U122         U123         U124         U125         U129        U140
     U147         U149         U151         U152         U154         U159         U161         U169         U188         U191         U196        U211

[[Page 11211]]

 
     U213         U219         U220         U239
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    These waste codes are identified in 40 CFR part 261, subpart C and 
subpart D.

        Table 2--Concentration Limits of Chemical Contaminants That Are Hazardous at Less Than 0.001 Mg/L
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                                                                             Concentration
                                                       Health based limit    limit at the       Concentration
      Chemical constituent           Waste code              (mg/L)         wellhead  (mg/    reduction  factor
                                                                             L)  (Note 2)          (C/C0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acetaldehyde...................  U001..............  0.11                            2,000  5.5 x 10-5
Acetamide......................  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-5                     10,000  1.0 x 10-9
Acetic acid....................  Note 2............  6.0 x 10-6                      6,000  1.0 x 10-9
Acetone........................  U002..............  3.5                             2,000  1.75 x 10-3
Acetone cyanohydrin............  P069..............  0.005                           6,000  8.33 x 10-7
Acetonitrile...................  K011, K013, K014,   0.21                          100,000  2.1 x 10-6
                                  U003.
Acrolein.......................  P003..............  0.005                           2,000  2.5 x 10-6
Acrylamide.....................  K011, K013, K014,   8 x 10-6                        6,000  1.33 x 10-9
                                  U007.                                                     Note 1
Acrylic acid...................  U008..............  17.5                           60,000  2.92 x 10-4
Acrylonitrile..................  K011, K013, K014,   6.0 x 10-5                     24,000  2.5 x 10-9
                                  U009.
Allyl alcohol..................  P005..............  0.175                           2,000  8.75 x 10-5
Antimony.......................  F039..............  0.006                             100  6.0 x 10-5
Arsenic........................  D004..............  0.05                              100  5.0 x 10-4
Barium.........................  D005..............  2                                 100  2.0 x 10-2
Benzene........................  D018, K011, K013,   0.005                             400  1.25 x 10-5
                                  K014, U019.
1,3-Butanediol.................  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
1,4-Butanediol.................  Note 2............  1.4 x 10-5                     14,000  1.0 x 10-9
Butanetriol....................  Note 2............  4.0 x 10-6                      4,000  1.0 x 10-9
Butanol........................  U140..............  3.5                             4,000  8.75 x 10-4
Butyrolactone..................  Note 2............  5.0 x 10-6                      5,000  1.0 x 10-9
Cadmium........................  D006..............  0.005                             100  5.0 x 10-5
Carbon tetrachloride...........  D019, U211........  0.005                             100  5.0 x 10-5
Chloroform.....................  U044..............  0.006                             100  6.0 x 10-5
Chromium.......................  D007..............  0.1                               100  1.0 x 10-3
Cobalt.........................  Note..............  1.0 x 10-7                        100  1.0 x 10-9
Crotonaldehyde.................  U053..............  0.002                             200  1.0 x 10-5
Crotonitrile...................  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
Cyclohexane....................  U056..............  9.0 x 10-5                        100  9.0 x 10-7
Cyclohexanone..................  U057..............  180                               100  1.8
Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic   Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
 acid.
Dimethylhydantoin..............  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
Ethanol........................  Note 2............  2.0 x 10-6                      2,000  1.0 x 10-9
Ethyl acetate..................  U112..............  31.5                              100  3.15 x 10-1
Ethylenediamine                  Note 2............  4.0 x 10-6                      4,000  1.0 x 10-9
 tetracetonitrile.
Formic acid....................  U123..............  0.01                           20,000  5.0 x 10-7
Formaldehyde...................  U122..............  7                               4,000  1.75 x 10-3
Formamide......................  Note 2............  4.0 x 10-6                      4,000  1.0 x 10-9
Fumaronitrile..................  Note 2............  4.0 x 10-6                      4,000  1.0 x 10-9
Furan..........................  U124..............  3.5 x 10-3                        100  3.5 x 10-4
Furfural.......................  U125..............  0.11                              100  1.1 x 10-3
Glyconitrile...................  Note 2............  7.0 x 10-6                      7,000  1.0 x 10-9
HCN (Free).....................  K011, K013, K014,   0.2                             3,200  6.25 x 10-5
                                  P030, P063, P098,
                                  P106.
HCN (Total)....................  K011, K013, K014,   0.7                            21,200  3.3 x 10-5
                                  P030, P063, P098,
                                  P106.
Hexamethylenetetramine (or       Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
 acid).
Iminodiacetonitrile............  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
Isobutanol.....................  U140..............  11                                200  5.5 x 10-2
Isopropyl alcohol..............  Note 2............  1.2 x 10-6                      1,200  1.0 x 10-9
Lead...........................  D008..............  0.001                             100  1.0 x 10-5
Lindane........................  U129..............  2.0 x 10-4                      1,000  2.0 x 10-7
Maleic anhydride...............  U147..............  3.5                               100  3.5 x 10-2
Maleonitrile...................  Note 2............  2.0 x 10-5                     20,000  1.0 x 10-9
Malonitrile....................  U149..............  0.005                           2,000  2.5 x 10-6
Mercury........................  D009, U151........  0.002                             100  2.0 x 10-5
Methanol.......................  U154..............  17.5                           40,000  4.38 x 10-4
Methyacrylonitrile.............  U152..............  0.0035                            400  8.75 x 10-6
Methylethylhydantoin...........  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
Methylene chloride.............  U080..............  5.3 x 10-3                        100  5.0 x 10-5
Methyl ethyl ketone............  D035, U159........  21                              1,000  2.1 x 10-2
Methyl isobutyl ketone.........  U161..............  2.0 x 10-3                        100  2.0 x 10-5

[[Page 11212]]

 
2-Methylpyridine...............  U191..............  2.0 x 10-3                      1,000  2.0 x 10-6
3-Methylpyridine...............  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
Nickel.........................  F006..............  0.001                             100  1.0 x 10-5
Nicotinonitrile................  Note 2............  6.0 x 10-6                      6,000  1.0 x 10-9
Nitrilotiracetonitrile.........  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
Nitrobenzene...................  U169..............  1.8 x 10-2                        100  1.8 x 10-4
Oleic acid.....................  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
Oleoylsarconsinate.............  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
Phenol.........................  U188..............  21                                100  2.1 x 10-1
1,2-Propanediol................  Note 2............  6.0 x 10-8                         60  1.0 x 10-9
1,3-Propanediol................  Note 2............  2.0 x 10-6                      2,000  1.0 x 10-9
Propanol.......................  Note 2............  2,0 x 10-6                      2,000  1.0 x 10-9
Propionitrile..................  P101..............  0.005                           2,000  2.5 x 10-6
Propylenediamine                 Note 2............  1.0 x 10-6                      1,000  1.0 x 10-9
 tetracetonitrile.
Pyroazole......................  Note 2............  4.0 x 10-6                      4,000  1.0 x 10-9
Pyridine.......................  D038, U196........  0.035                           2,000  1.75 x 10-5
Selenium.......................  D010..............  0.05                              100  5.0 x 10-4
Silver.........................  D011..............  0.175                             100  1.75 x 10-3
Sodium cyanide.................  D003, K011, K013,   1.4                             1,200  1.17 x 10-3
                                  P030, P063, P106.
Strontium......................  Note 2............  1.0 x 10-7                        100  1.0 x 10-9
Succinic acid..................  Note 2............  8.0 x 10-7                        800  1.0 x 10-9
Succinotrile...................  Note 2............  6.0 x 10-6                      6,000  1.0 x 10-9
Tetrahydrofuran................  U213..............  0.002                           5,000  4.0 x 10-7
Thiourea.......................  U219..............  1.0 x 10-2                        100  1.0 x 10-4
Toluene........................  U220..............  1                                 100  1.0 x 10-2
Vanadium.......................  P120..............  0.004                             100  4.0 x 10-5
Vanadium pentoxide.............  P120..............  0.315                             400  7.88 x 10-4
Xylene.........................  U239..............  10                                100  1.0 x 10-1
Zinc...........................  Note 2............  10.5                              400  2.63 x 10-2
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    Note 1--Worst-case constituent. Health Based Limit (HBL) contour 
for no-migration boundary set at 1.0 x 10-9 for this 
constituent. The HBL values are from the compilation by EPA Region 6, 
revised 2005.
    Note 2--Constituents not associated with an EPA RCRA waste code or 
listed in HBL guidelines are assigned the minimum C/C0 of 
1.0 x 10-9. A provisional ``HBL'' for these constituents is 
then derived from the product of C/C0 and the concentration 
limit at the wellhead. If a RCRA waste code is promulgated for any of 
these constituents, the HBL selected by EPA will be compared to the 
provisional ``HBL'' on this table. If the EPA HBL is more stringent, 
the Concentration Limit at the Wellhead will be reduced or migration of 
the constituent will be reconsidered in detail.
    Electronic Access. You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically from the Government Printing Office under the ``Federal 
Register'' listings at FDSys (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=FR).

    Dated: February 1, 2016.
Tinka G. Hyde,
Director, Water Division.
[FR Doc. 2016-04756 Filed 3-2-16; 8:45 am]
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