The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) — the primary U.S. federal law governing the management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste, including "cradle-to-grave" requirements for generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal.
Foresight tracks RCRA developments and surfaces the alerts most likely to matter before they turn into missed deadlines, recalls, or escalation work.
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Last updated
14 May 2026, 19:14
Source-backed regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight, with the newest developments first.
EPA Proposes Final Authorization of Alaska Hazardous Waste Management Program Under RCRA
EPA has proposed to grant final authorization to Alaska’s hazardous waste management program under RCRA, with public comments on the tentative determination due by 2 July 2026. If finalized, hazardous waste generators, transporters and treatment, storage and disposal facilities in Alaska will operate primarily under a more stringent state-run program—covering permitting, reporting, corrective action, siting and universal waste—while EPA retains authority for certain HSWA requirements and for facilities in Indian country and exclusive federal jurisdictions.
United StatesIllinois PCB Finalises RCRA Subtitle C Hazardous Waste Update (R2024-012) And Closes Rulemaking
Illinois has completed and formally closed rulemaking R2024-012 to incorporate US EPA’s July–December 2023 RCRA Subtitle C hazardous waste amendments into its state program, issuing a corrected final opinion and order on 7 May 2026 and removing the docket from its pending rulemakings list. This confirms that federal hazardous waste changes from that period are now fully embedded in Illinois requirements, so generators, transporters, and treatment and disposal facilities should confirm their practices and permits align with the updated state rules.
United StatesKansas KDHE Opens Public Comment on Water Pollution Control Permits (May 7, 2026)
On 7 May 2026 the Kansas Department of Health and Environment opened a public comment period on multiple draft water pollution control permits, including CAFOs, a drinking water plant and hazardous waste injection wells, with comments due 6 June 2026. For affected Kansas facilities this signals potential changes in discharge conditions and capacity limits, so operators should promptly review the draft permits, assess compliance impacts, and prepare any comments or adjustments ahead of final permit issuance.
United StatesUS EPA Withdraws Proposed RCRA Hazardous-Waste Definition for Corrective Action at Solid Waste Management Units
In May 2026, the US EPA formally withdrew its 2024 proposal to broaden the RCRA definition of hazardous waste for corrective action at solid waste management units. This keeps existing RCRA corrective-action requirements unchanged while reducing uncertainty about a potential expansion of cleanup obligations for permitted hazardous-waste facilities.
United StatesUS EPA Proposes Approval of Virginia Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Permit Program
In May 2026, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed to approve Virginia’s partial coal combustion residuals (CCR) permit program under RCRA, paving the way for CCR landfills and impoundments in the state to be managed under a state-run permitting framework that is deemed at least as protective as federal CCR rules. If finalised, Virginia utilities and CCR facility operators will transition to a consolidated state permitting regime—still constrained by federal CCR and RCRA oversight—that will shape future closure strategies, groundwater protections, and engagement around key milestones such as comment deadlines and public hearings.
United StatesNebraska DWEE Issues Preliminary Draft on CCR Groundwater Monitoring at Coal-Combustion Power Plants
Nebraska’s Department of Water, Energy, and Environment has circulated a preliminary technical draft outlining groundwater monitoring expectations for coal-combustion residual landfills and impoundments, detailing Appendix III and IV monitoring constituents, sampling frequencies, statistical evaluation, and corrective-action triggers under the federal CCR Rule. This signals that Nebraska is preparing state CCR groundwater requirements aligned with federal RCRA, so owners and operators of affected coal plants should start reviewing monitoring networks, laboratory capability, and potential corrective-action liabilities ahead of formal rulemaking.
United StatesNebraska DWEE Previews State CCR Program Proposal And Comment Timeline For Title 132 Chapter 4
Nebraska’s environmental agency has outlined a draft plan to adopt the federal Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule into Title 132 via a new Chapter 4, with informal comments through 21 May 2026, a formal comment window from 22 May to 24 June 2026, and an EQC hearing on 24 June 2026. If implemented, this would shift CCR units at Nebraska power plants from dual self-implementing federal and state oversight to a consolidated state-run permit regime, so utilities should prepare comments and begin planning for permit reissuance and potential groundwater monitoring and financial assurance changes.
United StatesUS EPA Corrects Docket and Extends Comment Period for WRB Refining Hazardous Waste Delisting
US EPA has issued a Federal Register correction for its March 2026 proposal to exclude certain WRB Refining hazardous wastes from the federal hazardous waste list, fixing the docket number and extending the public comment deadline to 20 May 2026. This is an administrative but time-sensitive adjustment that gives stakeholders more time to respond while leaving the substance of the underlying hazardous waste delisting proposal unchanged.
United StatesNorth Dakota DEQ Proposes Updates To Hazardous Waste Identification, Generator, And Facility Standards
North Dakota is proposing to update its hazardous waste rules to adopt federal standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals, delist nicotine replacement therapies from the acute P075 listing, and classify aerosol cans as universal waste under NDAC 33.1-24. These changes would better align the state with RCRA, tighten controls on pharmaceutical hazardous wastes in healthcare and related settings, and simplify compliance for generators and permitted facilities managing nicotine products and aerosol cans.
United StatesUS House Environment Subcommittee Hearing On Environmental Laws, Critical Material Supply Chains, And TSCA
In April 2026 the US House Energy and Commerce Committee's Environment Subcommittee held a hearing on how major environmental laws including TSCA, RCRA, CERCLA, the Clean Air Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act affect critical material and chemical supply chains. The discussion signals congressional interest in easing regulatory bottlenecks that could constrain domestic access to critical minerals and key chemistries, so compliance teams should anticipate potential proposals to streamline TSCA reviews and adjust related environmental requirements.
United StatesUS EPA Grants Final Authorization to Ohio Hazardous Waste Program Revisions Under RCRA
The US EPA has finalized authorization for Ohio to implement updated hazardous waste management regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, effective April 2, 2026. Facilities in Ohio must transition to state-specific compliance standards for air emissions, e-Manifests, and universal waste management, which are now the primary federally enforceable requirements.
United StatesLouisiana SB505 Proposes Changes To Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Grants
Louisiana SB505 proposes stricter funding caps and administrative requirements for the state underground storage tank grant program starting August 2026. Facility owners must prepare for tighter project timelines and enhanced ownership disclosure requirements to secure and maintain eligibility for infrastructure upgrades.
United StatesHawaii DOH Issues NOVO to Unitek Solvent Services for Used Oil Permit Violations
Hawaii regulators recently issued a significant penalty and corrective order against a waste processor for operating without permits and failing to report used oil activities. This enforcement action signals heightened scrutiny on waste management infrastructure and underscores the critical need for valid permitting to ensure operational continuity.
United StatesNew Hampshire Updates Env-Hw 1000 Hazardous Waste Cleanup Fund and DIY Used Oil Grant Rules
New Hampshire has implemented updated administrative requirements for hazardous waste cleanup funding and used-oil collection grants. Entities managing waste collection must align with new reporting and application protocols to secure state financial support and mitigate operational compliance risks.
United StatesCalifornia DTSC Renews Hazardous Waste Facility Permit For Veolia Richmond Facility
California regulators have approved a 10-year permit renewal for a major hazardous waste storage and transfer facility in Richmond. This decision secures critical regional waste infrastructure and ensures operational continuity for industrial waste generators managing RCRA and non-RCRA materials.
United StatesUS EPA Updates EPCRA Frequent Questions Guidance
The US EPA has updated its central guidance on emergency planning and hazardous chemical reporting to clarify complex compliance and notification requirements. Companies should review these consolidated interpretations to ensure site-level reporting and emergency response protocols align with current agency enforcement expectations.
United StatesUS EPA Authorizes Revisions to Florida Hazardous Waste Program and Opens 30-Day Comment Period
The US EPA has authorized revisions to Florida’s hazardous waste program to align state-level management with current federal RCRA standards. Regulated entities in Florida should verify that waste handling and disposal practices meet these updated requirements to mitigate compliance and enforcement risks under the new framework.
United StatesUS EPA Direct Final Authorization of Florida Hazardous Waste Program Revisions
The US EPA has formally authorized Florida to implement updated hazardous waste management standards under federal oversight starting May 2026. This action streamlines compliance for businesses by aligning state and federal enforcement for universal waste streams and international waste movements.
United StatesUS EPA Proposes RCRA Delisting for WRB Refining Stormwater Tank Solids (F037)
The US EPA proposed a site-specific RCRA delisting for stormwater tank solids at a Texas refinery, potentially reclassifying up to 700 cubic yards of waste annually as non-hazardous. This reflects a continued regulatory openness to data-driven waste exclusions, offering a strategic route for industrial operators to optimize waste management costs and compliance overhead.
United StatesNorth Carolina DEQ Seeks Comment On Draft Solid Waste Permit 3623-INDUS-2026 For Allen Steam Station CCR Landfill
North Carolina has issued a draft permit for a new coal combustion residual landfill, with public comments closing April 13, 2026. This action underscores the rigorous site-specific oversight of power generation waste and signals continued regulatory pressure on long-term coal ash disposal strategies.
United StatesThese are just a few of the most recent RCRA alerts. Foresight tracks every jurisdiction, every day — and surfaces only what affects your portfolio, with full citations and evidence.
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Definition
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) — the primary U.S. federal law governing the management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste, including "cradle-to-grave" requirements for generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal.
Industry relevance
RCRA developments can change product scope, supplier expectations, market access, reporting duties, and risk ownership. Foresight tracks the signals early so teams can respond before obligations become urgent.
Foresight tracking
Foresight monitors official sources, extracts structured regulatory intelligence, and maps alerts to a customer's products, substances, markets, and priorities so teams see the relevant signal with source evidence for review.
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