Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Reauthorization Act of 1982

Summary

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Reauthorization Act of 1982 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act ("the Act") to extend through FY 1983 and 1984 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) general administration; (2) State hazardous waste programs; (3) hazardous waste site inventory; (4) development and implementation of State, local, regional, and interstate plans; (5) implementation of State, local, and intermunicipal solid waste management, resource recovery, and resource conservation services and hazardous waste management; (6) "special communities" grants for containment and stabilization of solid waste located at specified sites; (7) State recycled oil programs; and (8) resource and recovery duties of the Secretary of Commerce. Provides that, 18 months after enactment of this Act: (1) no generator of hazardous waste of more than 100 kilograms per month shall be exempt from specified standards; and (2) regulations establishing standards for generators of hazardous waste of 100 to 1,000 kilograms per month shall be promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Requires that such regulations provide for standards necessary to protect human health and the environment, but allow for variation from the standards applicable to generators of greater quantities. Authorizes the Administrator to exempt generators of minimal quantities (100 kilograms per month or less) of hazardous waste from specified standards or to apply less stringent standards to such generators. Directs the Administrator, within one year after enactment of this Act, to report to Congress concerning listed hazardous wastes which are excluded from the coverage of hazardous waste management provisions of the Act under regulations exempting mixtures of domestic sewage and other wastes that pass through a sewer system to a publicly owned treatment works for treatment. Requires that such report specify types and quantities of such exempted wastes and make recommendations as to whether such exemption should be terminated to protect health and the environment. Prohibits, six months after enactment of this Act, the disposal of hazardous waste by injection into a class IV well which is: (1) in a formation containing an underground source of drinking water; or (2) above such a formation, until specified regulations are promulgated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Sets forth exemptions from such prohibition, including wells for the extraction of minerals or energy. Requires certain regulations promulgated after March 20, 1982, to prohibit, to the extent practicable, the storage or disposal in landfills of hazardous wastes having liquid content. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress, annually, on EPA's progress in determining which types of hazardous waste should or should not be deemed suitable for land disposal facilities. Requires notification to the Administrator (or to a State with an authorized hazardous waste program) by owners or operators of any facility: (1) producing a fuel by blending or otherwise processing hazardous wastes; or (2) burning wastes or waste-derived fuels for energy recovery purposes. Requires that such notification describe the location, the facility, the identified or listed hazardous waste involved, and the blending or burning activity. Directs the Administrator, within two years of the enactment of this Act, to promulgate regulations establishing health and environmental standards applicable to such facilities. Requires that such standards also cover the distribution and marketing of fuels produced from hazardous wastes. Requires that permits issued to treatment, storage, or disposal facilities by Federal or State hazardous waste programs under the Act address any release of hazardous waste from such facilities at any time. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring any facility operating on interim status permits to obtain a final permit before expanding its capacity by more than ten percent. Authorizes the Administrator to establish standards for any interim status permit facility expanding its capacity by ten percent or less. Allows such standards for facilities expanding by ten percent or less to vary from the interim permit status standards for facilities which do not expand capacity. Directs the Administrator to issue final permits or final denials of permit applications: (1) for land disposal facilities within four years of the enactment of this Act; and (2) for any other treatment, storage, or disposal facilities within six years of such enactment. Provides that such time periods shall not apply in the case of any authorized State hazardous waste program. Requires facilities operating under interim status permits to submit applications for final permit review within the applicable time period. Establishes a National Groundwater Commission to assess problems and recommend solutions relating to groundwater contamination from hazardous waste and solid waste and groundwater overdrafting. Directs the Commission to report to the President and the Congress by October 30, 1986, and to terminate on such date. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 through FY 1986 for the Commission. Revises provisions relating to the preservation of the rights of litigants under any statute of common law notwithstanding the passage of the Act. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months of the enactment of this Act, to promulgate regulations defining "beneficial use" of hazardous waste. Authorize courts to award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) in judicial proceedings involving review of regulations or certain administrative actions under the Act.

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4 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 8 September 1982

  Open at official source

• Reported to House amended, Part II

  summary · EN · 11 June 1982

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• Reported to House amended, Part I

  summary · EN · 18 May 1982

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 6 May 1982

  Open at official source

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