EPA Tightens Rules on Waste Burners, Ends Malfunction Excuses
Published Date: 11/9/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is updating rules for hazardous waste burners like incinerators and boilers to limit harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and cyanide. They’re removing some old exemptions for startup and shutdown times and adding new reporting rules, giving states more say on permits. These changes affect businesses that burn hazardous waste and aim to keep our air cleaner, with comments open until December 26, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
New limits on HF and HCN emissions
The EPA proposes numeric emission limits and work practice standards for hydrogen fluoride (HF) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from hazardous waste combustors including incinerators, cement kilns, solid fuel boilers, and liquid fuel boilers. These new limits would apply to the affected HWC units if finalized and were proposed as part of the EPA's residual risk and technology review.
Air quality improvement from HF/HCN controls
The EPA's proposal would limit emissions of hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide from hazardous waste combustors, which the agency says is intended to reduce harmful air pollutants and help keep the air cleaner. The proposal is part of the EPA's residual risk and technology review under the Clean Air Act.
End SSM exemption; add SSM work practices
The EPA proposes to eliminate the startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) exemption in the HWC NESHAP and add a work practice standard to govern periods of SSM. If finalized, facilities would need to follow the new SSM work practices and could no longer rely on the existing SSM exemption.
New electronic reporting requirements
The EPA proposes to add electronic reporting procedures and requirements for affected hazardous waste combustor sources (including use of electronic reporting tools). The proposal notes comments on Paperwork Reduction Act information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if OMB receives them by December 10, 2025.
States may exempt area sources from permits
The EPA proposes to allow states to choose to exempt certain area sources from some permitting requirements under title V or related permitting programs. This change would let states opt to relieve certain area sources from specific permitting obligations.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13263 — Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems
The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!
2026-12927 — U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance
The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.
2026-11047 — National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review
The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.
2026-10641 — Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Federal CCR Permit Program; Reopening of Comment Period
The EPA is reopening the comment period until June 29, 2026, for its proposed rule to create a federal permit program for safely disposing of coal ash from power plants. This affects electric utilities that handle coal waste and aims to improve environmental safety while possibly impacting their costs. Now’s the time for everyone to share their thoughts and help shape the rules!
2026-10387 — Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Reconsideration of Certain Regulatory Requirements Promulgated Under the Technology Transitions Provisions of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020
The EPA is updating rules to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals used in cooling systems like refrigerators and air conditioners. These changes affect businesses in refrigeration, supermarkets, semiconductor manufacturing, and more, allowing some older equipment made before 2025 to keep running. The new rules kick in on July 27, 2026, helping industries transition smoothly while cutting harmful emissions.
2026-10086 — Extending the Compliance Deadline for the PFOA and PFOS Maximum Contaminant Levels
The EPA is giving water systems more time to meet safety rules for two harmful chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, by extending the deadline from April 2029 to April 2031 if they ask for it. This helps water providers get ready without rushing, keeping our drinking water safe. The EPA wants your thoughts and will hold a public hearing in July 2026 to hear from everyone.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-19812 — Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes Under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Fire Suppression
The EPA is proposing new rules to approve safer, ozone-friendly substitutes for use in air conditioners, refrigerators, and fire suppression systems. This affects manufacturers and users by updating which chemicals are allowed and how they can be used, helping protect our planet’s ozone layer. Comments on these changes are open until December 26, 2025, so now’s the time to speak up!
Next: 2025-19864 — Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is updating rules to make sure everyone gets a fair shot at credit, no matter who they are. These changes clarify how lenders should avoid unfair treatment and support special credit programs. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until December 15, 2025, to speak up!