EPA Cracks Down on Trash-Burning Pollution with New Incinerator Rules
Published Date: 6/30/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA just updated the rules for certain trash-burning facilities called Other Solid Waste Incinerators (OSWI). These changes affect how new and existing units must control pollution, track their operations, and report data. If you run or build these units, expect new definitions, stricter standards, and clearer rules coming soon—some changes might impact your costs and schedules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Who Is Covered Changes
If you operate or build Other Solid Waste Incineration (OSWI) units, the rule finalizes applicability-related and definitional changes that change which units are covered. These finalized definition and applicability changes affect how the OSWI New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and Emission Guidelines (EG) apply to your facility.
New Subcategories and Standards
The EPA finalized changes to OSWI subcategories and set standards for those new subcategories. If your unit falls into one of the new subcategories, the finalized standards determine the pollution controls and performance you must meet.
Startup/Shutdown/Malfunction Rule Changes
The rule changes the startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) provisions that apply to OSWI units. These finalized SSM changes alter when and how your unit must comply during startup, shutdown, and malfunction events and include clarifications to those rules.
Testing, Monitoring, and Reporting Tightened
The EPA finalized changes to testing, monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for OSWI units. If you run an OSWI unit, the updated rules change how you must test emissions, monitor operations, keep records, and submit reports to the agency.
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