Space Firm Astrotech Scores New Hazmat Handling Super Permits
Published Date: 4/7/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation is updating special permits for companies handling hazardous materials, like Astrotech Space Operations and Transfer Flow. These changes allow new types of materials and packaging, helping businesses stay safe and efficient. If you want to comment, you’ve got until May 7, 2025, so don’t miss out!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Disaster-relief hazardous shipments authorized
The EPA Region 9 (permit 21952-N) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (permit 21961-N) were authorized to transport hazardous materials in support of recovery and relief operations for the Eaton and Palisades Fires in Southern California under conditions that may not meet the Hazardous Materials Regulations. This lets those agencies move needed materials for disaster response into and within the affected areas.
New permissions for lithium battery shipments
Multiple special permits authorize transport or recycling of damaged, burned, deactivated, prototype, or oversized lithium batteries. Examples include: Interco Trading (permit 21789-N) for burned, deactivated lithium ion cells for recycling; Call2Recycle (permit 21970-N) for one-way transport of damaged lithium ion batteries in UN specification packagings; and permits (e.g., 21896-N, 21971-N) allowing lithium batteries exceeding 35 kg to be transported via cargo-only aircraft.
Recall shipments: testing labs allowed for airbags
Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC (permit 15797-M) had its special permit modified to allow a testing laboratory, as an alternative to a disposal facility, for the one-time, one-way transportation of airbag inflators, airbag modules, or seat belt tensioners that have not been examined, classed, and approved. This affects how recalled or suspect automotive safety devices may be shipped for examination.
Smaller IBCs allowed that may be discharged early
Lippert Components, Inc. (permit 21807-N) was authorized to manufacture, mark, sell, and use non-specification Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) having a capacity less than 119 gallons which may be discharged prior to unloading. This explicitly allows use of these smaller, non-DOT-spec IBCs under the permit terms.
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Key Dates
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