42 U.S.C. § 6924 — Standards applicable to owners and oper-

Page 6941 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 6924 1 See References in Text note below. this title, or (2) from any hazardous waste iden- tified or listed under section 6921 of this title and any other material, as may be necessary to protect human health and the environment. Such standards may include any of the require- ments set forth in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) as may be appropriate. (Pub. L. 89–272, title II, § 3003, as added Pub. L. 94–580, § 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2807; amended Pub. L. 95–609, § 7(g), Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3082; Pub. L. 98–616, title II, § 204(b)(2), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3238.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Section 6922(5) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), was redesignated section 6922(a)(5) of this title, by Pub. L. 98–616, title II, § 224(a)(1), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3253. The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), probably means the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, Pub. L. 92–532, Oct. 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 1052. Title I of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 1411 et seq.) of chapter 27 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1401 of Title 33 and Tables. CODIFICATION In subsec. (b), ‘‘chapter 51 of title 49’’ substituted for ‘‘the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (88 Stat. 2156) [49 App. U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]’’ on authority of Pub. L. 103–272, § 6(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1378, the first sec- tion of which enacted subtitles II, III, and V to X of Title 49, Transportation. AMENDMENTS 1984—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–616 added subsec. (c). 1978—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 95–609, § 7(g)(1), inserted provision relating to title I of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–609, § 7(g)(2), substituted ‘‘Ad- ministrator under this section’’ for ‘‘Administrator under this subchapter’’. Executive Documents TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS For transfer of certain enforcement functions of Ad- ministrator or other official of Environmental Protec- tion Agency under this chapter to Federal Inspector, Office of Federal Inspector for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, and subsequent transfer to Secretary of Energy, then to Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, see note set out under section 6903 of this title. § 6924. Standards applicable to owners and oper- ators of hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (a) In general Not later than eighteen months after October 21, 1976, and after opportunity for public hear- ings and after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies, the Administrator shall promulgate regulations establishing such performance standards, applicable to owners and operators of facilities for the treatment, stor- age, or disposal of hazardous waste identified or listed under this subchapter, as may be nec- essary to protect human health and the environ- ment. In establishing such standards the Admin- istrator shall, where appropriate, distinguish in such standards between requirements appro- priate for new facilities and for facilities in ex- istence on the date of promulgation of such reg- ulations. Such standards shall include, but need not be limited to, requirements respecting— (1) maintaining records of all hazardous wastes identified or listed under this chapter which is treated, stored, or disposed of, as the case may be, and the manner in which such wastes were treated, stored, or disposed of; (2) satisfactory reporting, monitoring, and inspection and compliance with the manifest system referred to in section 6922(5) 1 of this title; (3) treatment, storage, or disposal of all such waste received by the facility pursuant to such operating methods, techniques, and practices as may be satisfactory to the Administrator; (4) the location, design, and construction of such hazardous waste treatment, disposal, or storage facilities; (5) contingency plans for effective action to minimize unanticipated damage from any treatment, storage, or disposal of any such hazardous waste; (6) the maintenance of operation of such fa- cilities and requiring such additional quali- fications as to ownership, continuity of oper- ation, training for personnel, and financial re- sponsibility (including financial responsibility for corrective action) as may be necessary or desirable; and (7) compliance with the requirements of sec- tion 6925 of this title respecting permits for treatment, storage, or disposal. No private entity shall be precluded by reason of criteria established under paragraph (6) from the ownership or operation of facilities providing hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal services where such entity can provide assur- ances of financial responsibility and continuity of operation consistent with the degree and du- ration of risks associated with the treatment, storage, or disposal of specified hazardous waste. (b) Salt dome formations, salt bed formations, underground mines and caves (1) Effective on November 8, 1984, the place- ment of any noncontainerized or bulk liquid hazardous waste in any salt dome formation, salt bed formation, underground mine, or cave is prohibited until such time as— (A) the Administrator has determined, after notice and opportunity for hearings on the record in the affected areas, that such place- ment is protective of human health and the environment; (B) the Administrator has promulgated per- formance and permitting standards for such facilities under this subchapter, and; (C) a permit has been issued under section 6925(c) of this title for the facility concerned. (2) Effective on November 8, 1984, the place- ment of any hazardous waste other than a haz- ardous waste referred to in paragraph (1) in a salt dome formation, salt bed formation, under- Page 6942 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 6924 ground mine, or cave is prohibited until such time as a permit has been issued under section 6925(c) of this title for the facility concerned. (3) No determination made by the Adminis- trator under subsection (d), (e), or (g) of this sec- tion regarding any hazardous waste to which such subsection (d), (e), or (g) applies shall affect the prohibition contained in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection. (4) Nothing in this subsection shall apply to the Department of Energy Waste Isolation Pilot Project in New Mexico. (c) Liquids in landfills (1) Effective 6 months after November 8, 1984, the placement of bulk or noncontainerized liq- uid hazardous waste or free liquids contained in hazardous waste (whether or not absorbents have been added) in any landfill is prohibited. Prior to such date the requirements (as in effect on April 30, 1983) promulgated under this section by the Administrator regarding liquid hazardous waste shall remain in force and effect to the ex- tent such requirements are applicable to the placement of bulk or noncontainerized liquid hazardous waste, or free liquids contained in hazardous waste, in landfills. (2) Not later than fifteen months after Novem- ber 8, 1984, the Administrator shall promulgate final regulations which— (A) minimize the disposal of containerized liquid hazardous waste in landfills, and (B) minimize the presence of free liquids in containerized hazardous waste to be disposed of in landfills. Such regulations shall also prohibit the disposal in landfills of liquids that have been absorbed in materials that biodegrade or that release liquids when compressed as might occur during routine landfill operations. Prior to the date on which such final regulations take effect, the require- ments (as in effect on April 30, 1983) promul- gated under this section by the Administrator shall remain in force and effect to the extent such requirements are applicable to the disposal of containerized liquid hazardous waste, or free liquids contained in hazardous waste, in land- fills. (3) Effective twelve months after November 8, 1984, the placement of any liquid which is not a hazardous waste in a landfill for which a permit is required under section 6925(c) of this title or which is operating pursuant to interim status granted under section 6925(e) of this title is pro- hibited unless the owner or operator of such landfill demonstrates to the Administrator, or the Administrator determines, that— (A) the only reasonably available alternative to the placement in such landfill is placement in a landfill or unlined surface impoundment, whether or not permitted under section 6925(c) of this title or operating pursuant to interim status under section 6925(e) of this title, which contains, or may reasonably be anticipated to contain, hazardous waste; and (B) placement in such owner or operator’s landfill will not present a risk of contamina- tion of any underground source of drinking water. As used in subparagraph (B), the term ‘‘under- ground source of drinking water’’ has the same meaning as provided in regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act (title XIV of the Public Health Service Act) [42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.]. (4) No determination made by the Adminis- trator under subsection (d), (e), or (g) of this sec- tion regarding any hazardous waste to which such subsection (d), (e), or (g) applies shall affect the prohibition contained in paragraph (1) of this subsection. (d) Prohibitions on land disposal of specified wastes (1) Effective 32 months after November 8, 1984 (except as provided in subsection (f) with respect to underground injection into deep injection wells), the land disposal of the hazardous wastes referred to in paragraph (2) is prohibited unless the Administrator determines the prohibition on one or more methods of land disposal of such waste is not required in order to protect human health and the environment for as long as the waste remains hazardous, taking into account— (A) the long-term uncertainties associated with land disposal, (B) the goal of managing hazardous waste in an appropriate manner in the first instance, and (C) the persistence, toxicity, mobility, and propensity to bioaccumulate of such haz- ardous wastes and their hazardous constitu- ents. For the purposes of this paragraph, a method of land disposal may not be determined to be pro- tective of human health and the environment for a hazardous waste referred to in paragraph (2) (other than a hazardous waste which has complied with the pretreatment regulations pro- mulgated under subsection (m)), unless, upon application by an interested person, it has been demonstrated to the Administrator, to a reason- able degree of certainty, that there will be no migration of hazardous constituents from the disposal unit or injection zone for as long as the wastes remain hazardous. (2) Paragraph (1) applies to the following haz- ardous wastes listed or identified under section 6921 of this title: (A) Liquid hazardous wastes, including free liquids associated with any solid or sludge, containing free cyanides at concentrations greater than or equal to 1,000 mg/l. (B) Liquid hazardous wastes, including free liquids associated with any solid or sludge, containing the following metals (or elements) or compounds of these metals (or elements) at concentrations greater than or equal to those specified below: (i) arsenic and/or compounds (as As) 500 mg/l; (ii) cadmium and/or compounds (as Cd) 100 mg/l; (iii) chromium (VI and/or compounds (as Cr VI)) 500 mg/l; (iv) lead and/or compounds (as Pb) 500 mg/l; (v) mercury and/or compounds (as Hg) 20 mg/l; (vi) nickel and/or compounds (as Ni) 134 mg/l; (vii) selenium and/or compounds (as Se) 100 mg/l; and Page 6943 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 6924 (viii) thallium and/or compounds (as Th) 130 mg/l. (C) Liquid hazardous waste having a pH less than or equal to two (2.0). (D) Liquid hazardous wastes containing pol- ychlorinated biphenyls at concentrations greater than or equal to 50 ppm. (E) Hazardous wastes containing halo- genated organic compounds in total con- centration greater than or equal to 1,000 mg/ kg. When necessary to protect human health and the environment, the Administrator shall sub- stitute more stringent concentration levels than the levels specified in subparagraphs (A) through (E). (3) During the period ending forty-eight months after November 8, 1984, this subsection shall not apply to any disposal of contaminated soil or debris resulting from a response action taken under section 9604 or 9606 of this title or a corrective action required under this sub- chapter. (e) Solvents and dioxins (1) Effective twenty-four months after Novem- ber 8, 1984 (except as provided in subsection (f) with respect to underground injection into deep injection wells), the land disposal of the haz- ardous wastes referred to in paragraph (2) is pro- hibited unless the Administrator determines the prohibition of one or more methods of land dis- posal of such waste is not required in order to protect human health and the environment for as long as the waste remains hazardous, taking into account the factors referred to in subpara- graph (A) through (C) of subsection (d)(1). For the purposes of this paragraph, a method of land disposal may not be determined to be protective of human health and the environment for a haz- ardous waste referred to in paragraph (2) (other than a hazardous waste which has complied with the pretreatment regulations promulgated under subsection (m)), unless upon application by an interested person it has been dem- onstrated to the Administrator, to a reasonable degree of certainty, that there will be no migra- tion of hazardous constituents from the disposal unit or injection zone for as long as the wastes remain hazardous. (2) The hazardous wastes to which the prohibi- tion under paragraph (1) applies are as follows— (A) dioxin-containing hazardous wastes numbered F020, F021, F022, and F023 (as re- ferred to in the proposed rule published by the Administrator in the Federal Register for April 4, 1983), and (B) those hazardous wastes numbered F001, F002, F003, F004, and F005 in regulations pro- mulgated by the Administrator under section 6921 of this title (40 C.F.R. 261.31 (July 1, 1983)), as those regulations are in effect on July 1, 1983. (3) During the period ending forty-eight months after November 8, 1984, this subsection shall not apply to any disposal of contaminated soil or debris resulting from a response action taken under section 9604 or 9606 of this title or a corrective action required under this sub- chapter. (f) Disposal into deep injection wells; specified subsection (d) wastes; solvents and dioxins (1) Not later than forty-five months after No- vember 8, 1984, the Administrator shall complete a review of the disposal of all hazardous wastes referred to in paragraph (2) of subsection (d) and in paragraph (2) of subsection (e) by under- ground injection into deep injection wells. (2) Within forty-five months after November 8, 1984, the Administrator shall make a determina- tion regarding the disposal by underground in- jection into deep injection wells of the haz- ardous wastes referred to in paragraph (2) of sub- section (d) and the hazardous wastes referred to in paragraph (2) of subsection (e). The Adminis- trator shall promulgate final regulations prohib- iting the disposal of such wastes into such wells if it may reasonably be determined that such disposal may not be protective of human health and the environment for as long as the waste re- mains hazardous, taking into account the fac- tors referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (d)(1). In promulgating such regu- lations, the Administrator shall consider each hazardous waste referred to in paragraph (2) of subsection (d) or in paragraph (2) of subsection (e) which is prohibited from disposal into such wells by any State. (3) If the Administrator fails to make a deter- mination under paragraph (2) for any hazardous waste referred to in paragraph (2) of subsection (d) or in paragraph (2) of subsection (e) within forty-five months after November 8, 1984, such hazardous waste shall be prohibited from dis- posal into any deep injection well. (4) As used in this subsection, the term ‘‘deep injection well’’ means a well used for the under- ground injection of hazardous waste other than a well to which section 6979a(a) 1 of this title ap- plies. (g) Additional land disposal prohibition deter- minations (1) Not later than twenty-four months after November 8, 1984, the Administrator shall sub- mit a schedule to Congress for— (A) reviewing all hazardous wastes listed (as of November 8, 1984) under section 6921 of this title other than those wastes which are re- ferred to in subsection (d) or (e); and (B) taking action under paragraph (5) of this subsection with respect to each such haz- ardous waste. (2) The Administrator shall base the schedule on a ranking of such listed wastes considering their intrinsic hazard and their volume such that decisions regarding the land disposal of high volume hazardous wastes with high intrin- sic hazard shall, to the maximum extent pos- sible, be made by the date forty-five months after November 8, 1984. Decisions regarding low volume hazardous wastes with lower intrinsic hazard shall be made by the date sixty-six months after November 8, 1984. (3) The preparation and submission of the schedule under this subsection shall not be sub- ject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980.1 No hearing on the record shall be required for pur- poses of preparation or submission of the sched- ule. The schedule shall not be subject to judicial review. Page 6944 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 6924 (4) The schedule under this subsection shall re- quire that the Administrator shall promulgate regulations in accordance with paragraph (5) or make a determination under paragraph (5)— (A) for at least one-third of all hazardous wastes referred to in paragraph (1) by the date forty-five months after November 8, 1984; (B) for at least two-thirds of all such listed wastes by the date fifty-five months after No- vember 8, 1984; and (C) for all such listed wastes and for all haz- ardous wastes identified under section 6921 of this title by the date sixty-six months after November 8, 1984. In the case of any hazardous waste identified or listed under section 6921 of this title after No- vember 8, 1984, the Administrator shall deter- mine whether such waste shall be prohibited from one or more methods of land disposal in ac- cordance with paragraph (5) within six months after the date of such identification or listing. (5) Not later than the date specified in the schedule published under this subsection, the Administrator shall promulgate final regula- tions prohibiting one or more methods of land disposal of the hazardous wastes listed on such schedule except for methods of land disposal which the Administrator determines will be pro- tective of human health and the environment for as long as the waste remains hazardous, tak- ing into account the factors referred to in sub- paragraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (d)(1). For the purposes of this paragraph, a method of land disposal may not be determined to be pro- tective of human health and the environment (except with respect to a hazardous waste which has complied with the pretreatment regulations promulgated under subsection (m)) unless, upon application by an interested person, it has been demonstrated to the Administrator, to a reason- able degree of certainty, that there will be no migration of hazardous constituents from the disposal unit or injection zone for as long as the wastes remain hazardous. (6)(A) If the Administrator fails (by the date forty-five months after November 8, 1984) to pro- mulgate regulations or make a determination under paragraph (5) for any hazardous waste which is included in the first one-third of the schedule published under this subsection, such hazardous waste may be disposed of in a landfill or surface impoundment only if— (i) such facility is in compliance with the re- quirements of subsection (o) which are appli- cable to new facilities (relating to minimum technological requirements); and (ii) prior to such disposal, the generator has certified to the Administrator that such gen- erator has investigated the availability of treatment capacity and has determined that the use of such landfill or surface impound- ment is the only practical alternative to treatment currently available to the gener- ator. The prohibition contained in this subparagraph shall continue to apply until the Administrator promulgates regulations or makes a determina- tion under paragraph (5) for the waste con- cerned. (B) If the Administrator fails (by the date 55 months after November 8, 1984) to promulgate regulations or make a determination under paragraph (5) for any hazardous waste which is included in the first two-thirds of the schedule published under this subsection, such hazardous waste may be disposed of in a landfill or surface impoundment only if— (i) such facility is in compliance with the re- quirements of subsection (o) which are appli- cable to new facilities (relating to minimum technological requirements); and (ii) prior to such disposal, the generator has certified to the Administrator that such gen- erator has investigated the availability of treatment capacity and has determined that the use of such landfill or surface impound- ment is the only practical alternative to treatment currently available to the gener- ator. The prohibition contained in this subparagraph shall continue to apply until the Administrator promulgates regulations or makes a determina- tion under paragraph (5) for the waste con- cerned. (C) If the Administrator fails to promulgate regulations, or make a determination under paragraph (5) for any hazardous waste referred to in paragraph (1) within 66 months after No- vember 8, 1984, such hazardous waste shall be prohibited from land disposal. (7) Solid waste identified as hazardous based solely on one or more characteristics shall not be subject to this subsection, any prohibitions under subsection (d), (e), or (f), or any require- ment promulgated under subsection (m) (other than any applicable specific methods of treat- ment, as provided in paragraph (8)) if the waste— (A) is treated in a treatment system that subsequently discharges to waters of the United States pursuant to a permit issued under section 1342 of title 33, treated for the purposes of the pretreatment requirements of section 1317 of title 33, or treated in a zero dis- charge system that, prior to any permanent land disposal, engages in treatment that is equivalent to treatment required under sec- tion 1342 of title 33 for discharges to waters of the United States, as determined by the Ad- ministrator; and (B) no longer exhibits a hazardous char- acteristic prior to management in any land- based solid waste management unit. (8) Solid waste that otherwise qualifies under paragraph (7) shall nevertheless be required to meet any applicable specific methods of treat- ment specified for such waste by the Adminis- trator under subsection (m), including those specified in the rule promulgated by the Admin- istrator June 1, 1990, prior to management in a land-based unit as part of a treatment system specified in paragraph (7)(A). No solid waste may qualify under paragraph (7) that would generate toxic gases, vapors, or fumes due to the presence of cyanide when exposed to pH conditions be- tween 2.0 and 12.5. (9) Solid waste identified as hazardous based on one or more characteristics alone shall not be subject to this subsection, any prohibitions under subsection (d), (e), or (f), or any require- ment promulgated under subsection (m) if the Page 6945 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 6924 waste no longer exhibits a hazardous char- acteristic at the point of injection in any Class I injection well permitted under section 300h–1 of this title. (10) Not later than five years after March 26, 1996, the Administrator shall complete a study of hazardous waste managed pursuant to para- graph (7) or (9) to characterize the risks to human health or the environment associated with such management. In conducting this study, the Administrator shall evaluate the ex- tent to which risks are adequately addressed under existing State or Federal programs and whether unaddressed risks could be better ad- dressed under such laws or programs. Upon re- ceipt of additional information or upon comple- tion of such study and as necessary to protect human health and the environment, the Admin- istrator may impose additional requirements under existing Federal laws, including sub- section (m)(1), or rely on other State or Federal programs or authorities to address such risks. In promulgating any treatment standards pursuant to subsection (m)(1) under the previous sen- tence, the Administrator shall take into ac- count the extent to which treatment is occur- ring in land-based units as part of a treatment system specified in paragraph (7)(A). (11) Nothing in paragraph (7) or (9) shall be in- terpreted or applied to restrict any inspection or enforcement authority under the provisions of this chapter. (h) Variance from land disposal prohibitions (1) A prohibition in regulations under sub- section (d), (e), (f), or (g) shall be effective im- mediately upon promulgation. (2) The Administrator may establish an effec- tive date different from the effective date which would otherwise apply under subsection (d), (e), (f), or (g) with respect to a specific hazardous waste which is subject to a prohibition under subsection (d), (e), (f), or (g) or under regulations under subsection (d), (e), (f), or (g) of this sec- tion. Any such other effective date shall be es- tablished on the basis of the earliest date on which adequate alternative treatment, recovery, or disposal capacity which protects human health and the environment will be available. Any such other effective date shall in no event be later than 2 years after the effective date of the prohibition which would otherwise apply under subsection (d), (e), (f), or (g). (3) The Administrator, after notice and oppor- tunity for comment and after consultation with appropriate State agencies in all affected States, may on a case-by-case basis grant an ex- tension of the effective date which would other- wise apply under subsection (d), (e), (f), or (g) or under paragraph (2) for up to one year, where the applicant demonstrates that there is a bind- ing contractual commitment to construct or otherwise provide such alternative capacity but due to circumstances beyond the control of such applicant such alternative capacity cannot rea- sonably be made available by such effective date. Such extension shall be renewable once for no more than one additional year. (4) Whenever another effective date (herein- after referred to as a ‘‘variance’’) is established under paragraph (2), or an extension is granted under paragraph (3), with respect to any haz- ardous waste, during the period for which such variance or extension is in effect, such haz- ardous waste may be disposed of in a landfill or surface impoundment only if such facility is in compliance with the requirements of subsection (o). (i) Publication of determination If the Administrator determines that a meth- od of land disposal will be protective of human health and the environment, he shall promptly publish in the Federal Register notice of such determination, together with an explanation of the basis for such determination. (j) Storage of hazardous waste prohibited from land disposal In the case of any hazardous waste which is prohibited from one or more methods of land disposal under this section (or under regulations promulgated by the Administrator under any provision of this section) the storage of such hazardous waste is prohibited unless such stor- age is solely for the purpose of the accumulation of such quantities of hazardous waste as are nec- essary to facilitate proper recovery, treatment or disposal. (k) ‘‘Land disposal’’ defined For the purposes of this section, the term ‘‘land disposal’’, when used with respect to a specified hazardous waste, shall be deemed to in- clude, but not be limited to, any placement of such hazardous waste in a landfill, surface im- poundment, waste pile, injection well, land treatment facility, salt dome formation, salt bed formation, or underground mine or cave. (l) Ban on dust suppression The use of waste or used oil or other material, which is contaminated or mixed with dioxin or any other hazardous waste identified or listed under section 6921 of this title (other than a waste identified solely on the basis of ignit- ability), for dust suppression or road treatment is prohibited. (m) Treatment standards for wastes subject to land disposal prohibition (1) Simultaneously with the promulgation of regulations under subsection (d), (e), (f), or (g) prohibiting one or more methods of land dis- posal of a particular hazardous waste, and as ap- propriate thereafter, the Administrator shall, after notice and an opportunity for hearings and after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies, promulgate regulations speci- fying those levels or methods of treatment, if any, which substantially diminish the toxicity of the waste or substantially reduce the likeli- hood of migration of hazardous constituents from the waste so that short-term and long-term threats to human health and the environment are minimized. (2) If such hazardous waste has been treated to the level or by a method specified in regulations promulgated under this subsection, such waste or residue thereof shall not be subject to any prohibition promulgated under subsection (d), (e), (f), or (g) and may be disposed of in a land disposal facility which meets the requirements of this subchapter. Any regulation promulgated Page 6946 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 6924 2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma. under this subsection for a particular hazardous waste shall become effective on the same date as any applicable prohibition promulgated under subsection (d), (e), (f), or (g). (n) Air emissions Not later than thirty months after November 8, 1984, the Administrator shall promulgate such regulations for the monitoring and control of air emissions at hazardous waste treatment, stor- age, and disposal facilities, including but not limited to open tanks, surface impoundments, and landfills, as may be necessary to protect human health and the environment. (o) Minimum technological requirements (1) The regulations under subsection (a) of this section shall be revised from time to time to take into account improvements in the tech- nology of control and measurement. At a min- imum, such regulations shall require, and a per- mit issued pursuant to section 6925(c) of this title after November 8, 1984, by the Adminis- trator or a State shall require— (A) for each new landfill or surface impound- ment, each new landfill or surface impound- ment unit at an existing facility, each replace- ment of an existing landfill or surface im- poundment unit, and each lateral expansion of an existing landfill or surface impoundment unit, for which an application for a final deter- mination regarding issuance of a permit under section 6925(c) of this title is received after November 8, 1984— (i) the installation of two or more liners and a leachate collection system above (in the case of a landfill) and between such lin- ers; and (ii) ground water monitoring; and (B) for each incinerator which receives a per- mit under section 6925(c) of this title after No- vember 8, 1984, the attainment of the min- imum destruction and removal efficiency re- quired by regulations in effect on June 24, 1982. The requirements of this paragraph shall apply with respect to all waste received after the issuance of the permit. (2) Paragraph (1)(A)(i) shall not apply if the owner or operator demonstrates to the Adminis- trator, and the Administrator finds for such landfill or surface impoundment, that alter- native design and operating practices, together with location characteristics, will prevent the migration of any hazardous constituents into the ground water or surface water at least as ef- fectively as such liners and leachate collection systems. (3) The double-liner requirement set forth in paragraph (1)(A)(i) may be waived by the Admin- istrator for any monofill, if— (A) such monofill contains only hazardous wastes from foundry furnace emission controls or metal casting molding sand, (B) such wastes do not contain constituents which would render the wastes hazardous for reasons other than the Extraction Procedure (‘‘EP’’) toxicity characteristics set forth in regulations under this subchapter, and (C) such monofill meets the same require- ments as are applicable in the case of a waiver under section 6925(j)(2) or (4) of this title. (4)(A) Not later than thirty months after No- vember 8, 1984, the Administrator shall promul- gate standards requiring that new landfill units, surface impoundment units, waste piles, under- ground tanks and land treatment units for the storage, treatment, or disposal of hazardous waste identified or listed under section 6921 of this title shall be required to utilize approved leak detection systems. (B) For the purposes of subparagraph (A)— (i) the term ‘‘approved leak detection sys- tem’’ means a system or technology which the Administrator determines to be capable of de- tecting leaks of hazardous constituents at the earliest practicable time; and (ii) the term ‘‘new units’’ means units on which construction commences after the date of promulgation of regulations under this paragraph. (5)(A) The Administrator shall promulgate regulations or issue guidance documents imple- menting the requirements of paragraph (1)(A) within two years after November 8, 1984. (B) Until the effective date of such regulations or guidance documents, the requirement for the installation of two or more liners may be satis- fied by the installation of a top liner designed, operated, and constructed of materials to pre- vent the migration of any constituent into such liner during the period such facility remains in operation (including any post-closure moni- toring period), and a lower liner designed, oper- ated 2 and constructed to prevent the migration of any constituent through such liner during such period. For the purpose of the preceding sentence, a lower liner shall be deemed to sat- isfy such requirement if it is constructed of at least a 3-foot thick layer of recompacted clay or other natural material with a permeability of no more than 1×10¥7 centimeter per second. (6) Any permit under section 6925 of this title which is issued for a landfill located within the State of Alabama shall require the installation of two or more liners and a leachate collection system above and between such liners, notwith- standing any other provision of this chapter. (7) In addition to the requirements set forth in this subsection, the regulations referred to in paragraph (1) shall specify criteria for the ac- ceptable location of new and existing treatment, storage, or disposal facilities as necessary to protect human health and the environment. Within 18 months after November 8, 1984, the Ad- ministrator shall publish guidance criteria iden- tifying areas of vulnerable hydrogeology. (p) Ground water monitoring The standards under this section concerning ground water monitoring which are applicable to surface impoundments, waste piles, land treatment units, and landfills shall apply to such a facility whether or not— (1) the facility is located above the seasonal high water table; (2) two liners and a leachate collection sys- tem have been installed at the facility; or (3) the owner or operator inspects the liner (or liners) which has been installed at the fa- cility. Page 6947 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 6924 This subsection shall not be construed to affect other exemptions or waivers from such stand- ards provided in regulations in effect on Novem- ber 8, 1984, or as may be provided in revisions to those regulations, to the extent consistent with this subsection. The Administrator is authorized on a case-by-case basis to exempt from ground water monitoring requirements under this sec- tion (including subsection (o)) any engineered structure which the Administrator finds does not receive or contain liquid waste (nor waste containing free liquids), is designed and oper- ated to exclude liquid from precipitation or other runoff, utilizes multiple leak detection systems within the outer layer of containment, and provides for continuing operation and main- tenance of these leak detection systems during the operating period, closure, and the period re- quired for post-closure monitoring and for which the Administrator concludes on the basis of such findings that there is a reasonable certainty hazardous constituents will not migrate beyond the outer layer of containment prior to the end of the period required for post-closure moni- toring. (q) Hazardous waste used as fuel (1) Not later than two years after November 8, 1984, and after notice and opportunity for public hearing, the Administrator shall promulgate regulations establishing such— (A) standards applicable to the owners and operators of facilities which produce a fuel— (i) from any hazardous waste identified or listed under section 6921 of this title, or (ii) from any hazardous waste identified or listed under section 6921 of this title and any other material; (B) standards applicable to the owners and operators of facilities which burn, for purposes of energy recovery, any fuel produced as pro- vided in subparagraph (A) or any fuel which otherwise contains any hazardous waste iden- tified or listed under section 6921 of this title; and (C) standards applicable to any person who distributes or markets any fuel which is pro- duced as provided in subparagraph (A) or any fuel which otherwise contains any hazardous waste identified or listed under section 6921 of this title; as may be necessary to protect human health and the environment. Such standards may in- clude any of the requirements set forth in para- graphs (1) through (7) of subsection (a) as may be appropriate. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect or impair the provisions of section 6921(b)(3) of this title. For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘‘hazardous waste list- ed under section 6921 of this title’’ includes any commercial chemical product which is listed under section 6921 of this title and which, in lieu of its original intended use, is (i) produced for use as (or as a component of) a fuel, (ii) distrib- uted for use as a fuel, or (iii) burned as a fuel. (2)(A) This subsection, subsection (r), and sub- section (s) shall not apply to petroleum refinery wastes containing oil which are converted into petroleum coke at the same facility at which such wastes were generated, unless the resulting coke product would exceed one or more charac- teristics by which a substance would be identi- fied as a hazardous waste under section 6921 of this title. (B) The Administrator may exempt from the requirements of this subsection, subsection (r), or subsection (s) facilities which burn de mini- mis quantities of hazardous waste as fuel, as de- fined by the Administrator, if the wastes are burned at the same facility at which such wastes are generated; the waste is burned to recover useful energy, as determined by the Adminis- trator on the basis of the design and operating characteristics of the facility and the heating value and other characteristics of the waste; and the waste is burned in a type of device deter- mined by the Administrator to be designed and operated at a destruction and removal efficiency sufficient such that protection of human health and environment is assured. (C)(i) After November 8, 1984, and until stand- ards are promulgated and in effect under para- graph (2) of this subsection, no fuel which con- tains any hazardous waste may be burned in any cement kiln which is located within the bound- aries of any incorporated municipality with a population greater than five hundred thousand (based on the most recent census statistics) un- less such kiln fully complies with regulations (as in effect on November 8, 1984) under this sub- chapter which are applicable to incinerators. (ii) Any person who knowingly violates the prohibition contained in clause (i) shall be deemed to have violated section 6928(d)(2) of this title. (r) Labeling (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, until such time as the Administrator pro- mulgates standards under subsection (q) specifi- cally superceding this requirement, it shall be unlawful for any person who is required to file a notification in accordance with paragraph (1) or (3) of section 6930 of this title to distribute or market any fuel which is produced from any hazardous waste identified or listed under sec- tion 6921 of this title, or any fuel which other- wise contains any hazardous waste identified or listed under section 6921 of this title if the in- voice or the bill of sale fails— (A) to bear the following statement: ‘‘WARNING: THIS FUEL CONTAINS HAZ- ARDOUS WASTES’’, and (B) to list the hazardous wastes contained therein. Beginning ninety days after November 8, 1984, such statement shall be located in a conspicuous place on every such invoice or bill of sale and shall appear in conspicuous and legible type in contrast by typography, layouts, or color with other printed matter on the invoice or bill of sale. (2) Unless the Administrator determines oth- erwise as may be necessary to protect human health and the environment, this subsection shall not apply to fuels produced from petro- leum refining waste containing oil if— (A) such materials are generated and re- inserted onsite into the refining process; (B) contaminants are removed; and (C) such refining waste containing oil is con- verted along with normal process streams into Page 6948 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 6924 petroleum-derived fuel products at a facility at which crude oil is refined into petroleum products and which is classified as a number SIC 2911 facility under the Office of Manage- ment and Budget Standard Industrial Classi- fication Manual. (3) Unless the Administrator determines oth- erwise as may be necessary to protect human health and the environment, this subsection shall not apply to fuels produced from oily ma- terials, resulting from normal petroleum refin- ing, production and transportation practices, if (A) contaminants are removed; and (B) such oily materials are converted along with normal proc- ess streams into petroleum-derived fuel products at a facility at which crude oil is refined into pe- troleum products and which is classified as a number SIC 2911 facility under the Office of Management and Budget Standard Industrial Classification Manual. (s) Recordkeeping Not later than fifteen months after November 8, 1984, the Administrator shall promulgate reg- ulations requiring that any person who is re- quired to file a notification in accordance with subparagraph (1), (2), or (3), of section 6930(a) of this title shall maintain such records regarding fuel blending, distribution, or use as may be nec- essary to protect human health and the environ- ment. (t) Financial responsibility provisions (1) Financial responsibility required by sub- section (a) of this section may be established in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Administrator by any one, or any combination, of the following: insurance, guarantee, surety bond, letter of credit, or qualification as a self- insurer. In promulgating requirements under this section, the Administrator is authorized to specify policy or other contractual terms, condi- tions, or defenses which are necessary or are un- acceptable in establishing such evidence of fi- nancial responsibility in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. (2) In any case where the owner or operator is in bankruptcy, reorganization, or arrangement pursuant to the Federal Bankruptcy Code or where (with reasonable diligence) jurisdiction in any State court or any Federal Court cannot be obtained over an owner or operator likely to be solvent at the time of judgment, any claim aris- ing from conduct for which evidence of financial responsibility must be provided under this sec- tion may be asserted directly against the guar- antor providing such evidence of financial re- sponsibility. In the case of any action pursuant to this subsection, such guarantor shall be enti- tled to invoke all rights and defenses which would have been available to the owner or oper- ator if any action had been brought against the owner or operator by the claimant and which would have been available to the guarantor if an action had been brought against the guarantor by the owner or operator. (3) The total liability of any guarantor shall be limited to the aggregate amount which the guarantor has provided as evidence of financial responsibility to the owner or operator under this chapter. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit any other State or Federal statutory, contractual or common law liability of a guarantor to its owner or operator includ- ing, but not limited to, the liability of such guarantor for bad faith either in negotiating or in failing to negotiate the settlement of any claim. Nothing in this subsection shall be con- strued to diminish the liability of any person under section 9607 or 9611 of this title or other applicable law. (4) For the purpose of this subsection, the term ‘‘guarantor’’ means any person, other than the owner or operator, who provides evidence of financial responsibility for an owner or operator under this section. (u) Continuing releases at permitted facilities Standards promulgated under this section shall require, and a permit issued after Novem- ber 8, 1984, by the Administrator or a State shall require, corrective action for all releases of haz- ardous waste or constituents from any solid waste management unit at a treatment, storage, or disposal facility seeking a permit under this subchapter, regardless of the time at which waste was placed in such unit. Permits issued under section 6925 of this title shall contain schedules of compliance for such corrective ac- tion (where such corrective action cannot be completed prior to issuance of the permit) and assurances of financial responsibility for com- pleting such corrective action. (v) Corrective action beyond facility boundary As promptly as practicable after November 8, 1984, the Administrator shall amend the stand- ards under this section regarding corrective ac- tion required at facilities for the treatment, storage, or disposal, of hazardous waste listed or identified under section 6921 of this title to re- quire that corrective action be taken beyond the facility boundary where necessary to protect human health and the environment unless the owner or operator of the facility concerned dem- onstrates to the satisfaction of the Adminis- trator that, despite the owner or operator’s best efforts, the owner or operator was unable to ob- tain the necessary permission to undertake such action. Such regulations shall take effect imme- diately upon promulgation, notwithstanding section 6930(b) of this title, and shall apply to— (1) all facilities operating under permits issued under subsection (c), and (2) all landfills, surface impoundments, and waste pile units (including any new units, re- placements of existing units, or lateral expan- sions of existing units) which receive haz- ardous waste after July 26, 1982. Pending promulgation of such regulations, the Administrator shall issue corrective action or- ders for facilities referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), on a case-by-case basis, consistent with the purposes of this subsection. (w) Underground tanks Not later than March 1, 1985, the Adminis- trator shall promulgate final permitting stand- ards under this section for underground tanks that cannot be entered for inspection. Within forty-eight months after November 8, 1984, such standards shall be modified, if necessary, to cover at a minimum all requirements and stand- ards described in section 6991b of this title. Page 6949 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 6925 (x) Mining and other special wastes If (1) solid waste from the extraction, beneficiation or processing of ores and minerals, including phosphate rock and overburden from the mining of uranium, (2) fly ash waste, bottom ash waste, slag waste, and flue gas emission con- trol waste generated primarily from the com- bustion of coal or other fossil fuels, or (3) ce- ment kiln dust waste, is subject to regulation under this subchapter, the Administrator is au- thorized to modify the requirements of sub- sections (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (o), and (u) and sec- tion 6925(j) of this title, in the case of landfills or surface impoundments receiving such solid waste, to take into account the special charac- teristics of such wastes, the practical difficul- ties associated with implementation of such re- quirements, and site-specific characteristics, in- cluding but not limited to the climate, geology, hydrology and soil chemistry at the site, so long as such modified requirements assure protection of human health and the environment. (y) Munitions (1) Not later than 6 months after October 6, 1992, the Administrator shall propose, after con- sulting with the Secretary of Defense and appro- priate State officials, regulations identifying when military munitions become hazardous waste for purposes of this subchapter and pro- viding for the safe transportation and storage of such waste. Not later than 24 months after Octo- ber 6, 1992, and after notice and opportunity for comment, the Administrator shall promulgate such regulations. Any such regulations shall as- sure protection of human health and the envi- ronment. (2) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘‘military munitions’’ includes chemical and conventional munitions. (Pub. L. 89–272, title II, § 3004, as added Pub. L. 94–580, § 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2807; amended Pub. L. 96–482, § 9, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2338; Pub. L. 98–616, title II, §§ 201(a), 202(a), 203, 204(b)(1), 205–209, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3226, 3233, 3234, 3236, 3238–3240; Pub. L. 102–386, title I, § 107, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1513; Pub. L. 104–119, §§ 2, 4(2)–(5), Mar. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 830, 833.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Section 6922(5) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), was redesignated section 6922(a)(5) of this title, by Pub. L. 98–616, title II, § 224(a)(1), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3253. The Safe Drinking Water Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), is title XIV of act July 1, 1944, as added Dec. 16, 1974, Pub. L. 93–523, § 2(a), 88 Stat. 1660, which is classi- fied generally to subchapter XII (§ 300f et seq.) of chap- ter 6A of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code see Short Title note set out under sec- tion 201 of this title and Tables. Section 6979a of this title, referred to in subsec. (f)(4), was in the original a reference to section 7010 of Pub. L. 89–272, which was renumbered section 3020 of Pub. L. 89–272 by Pub. L. 99–339, title II, § 201(c), June 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 654, and transferred to section 6939b of this title. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (g)(3), is Pub. L. 96–511, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2812, which was classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 3501 et seq.) of Title 44, Public Printing and Docu- ments, prior to the general amendment of that chapter by Pub. L. 104–13, § 2, May 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 163. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1980 Amendment note set out under sec- tion 101 of Title 44 and Tables. The Federal Bankruptcy Code, referred to in subsec. (t)(2), probably means a reference to Title 11, Bank- ruptcy. AMENDMENTS 1996—Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 104–119, § 4(3), substituted ‘‘subparagraphs (A) through (C)’’ for ‘‘subparagraph (A) through (C)’’. Subsec. (g)(7) to (11). Pub. L. 104–119, § 2, added pars. (7) to (11). Subsec. (q)(1)(C). Pub. L. 104–119, § 4(2), inserted a semicolon at end of subpar. (C). Subsec. (r)(2)(C). Pub. L. 104–119, § 4(4), substituted ‘‘petroleum-derived’’ for ‘‘pertroleum-derived’’. Subsec. (r)(3). Pub. L. 104–119, § 4(5), inserted ‘‘Indus- trial’’ after ‘‘Standard’’. 1992—Subsec. (y). Pub. L. 102–386 added subsec. (y). 1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–616, § 201(a), designated existing provisions as subsec. (a). Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 98–616, § 208, inserted ‘‘(includ- ing financial responsibility for corrective action)’’. Subsecs. (b) to (n). Pub. L. 98–616, § 201(a), added sub- secs. (b) to (n). Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 98–616, § 202(a), added subsec. (o). Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 98–616, § 203, added subsec. (p). Subsecs. (q) to (s). Pub. L. 98–616, § 204(b)(1), added subsecs. (q) to (s). Subsec. (t). Pub. L. 98–616, § 205, added subsec. (t). Subsec. (u). Pub. L. 98–616, § 206, added subsec. (u). Subsecs. (v), (w). Pub. L. 98–616, § 207, added subsecs. (v) and (w). Subsec. (x). Pub. L. 98–616, § 209, added subsec. (x). 1980—Pub. L. 96–482 required standards regulations to reflect distinction in requirements appropriate for new facilities and for facilities in existence on date of pro- mulgation of the regulations. Executive Documents TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS For transfer of certain enforcement functions of Ad- ministrator or other official of Environmental Protec- tion Agency under this chapter to Federal Inspector, Office of Federal Inspector for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, and subsequent transfer to Secretary of Energy, then to Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, see note set out under section 6903 of this title. § 6925. Permits for treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste (a) Permit requirements Not later than eighteen months after October 21, 1976, the Administrator shall promulgate reg- ulations requiring each person owning or oper- ating an existing facility or planning to con- struct a new facility for the treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste identified or list- ed under this subchapter to have a permit issued pursuant to this section. Such regulations shall take effect on the date provided in section 6930 of this title and upon and after such date the treatment, storage, or disposal of any such haz- ardous waste and the construction of any new facility for the treatment, storage, or disposal of any such hazardous waste is prohibited except in accordance with such a permit. No permit shall be required under this section in order to con- struct a facility if such facility is constructed pursuant to an approval issued by the Adminis- trator under section 2605(e) of title 15 for the in-