EPA Approves 10,000-Year Hazardous Waste Injection in Michigan
Published Date: 1/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA has officially renewed Republic Industrial and Energy Solutions’ special permission to safely inject certain hazardous wastes underground in Romulus, Michigan, for at least 10,000 years. This means RIES can keep using its two injection wells without any changes, starting December 23, 2025. This decision affects RIES and ensures the protection of drinking water, with no extra costs or appeals allowed.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
RIES Allowed To Keep Injecting Hazardous Waste
The EPA reissued Republic Industrial and Energy Solutions, LLC (RIES) an exemption allowing continued underground injection through its two Class I wells (#1-12 and #2-12) at the Romulus, Michigan facility. The exemption is effective December 23, 2025 and applies only to the hazardous wastes listed by the RCRA waste codes in Table 1 of the decision.
EPA Found No Migration Risk to Drinking Water
EPA determined, to a reasonable degree of certainty, that hazardous constituents injected at the RIES site will not migrate out of the injection zone or into an underground source of drinking water (USDW) for at least 10,000 years. This finding applies to the Romulus, Michigan site and is part of EPA's basis for granting the exemption.
Technical Limits Set on Injection Operations
The exemption includes technical limits: injection only into the specified injection interval (roughly 3,924 to 4,537 ft below ground level), a combined monthly average injection rate cap of 130 gallons per minute (gpm) and a maximum instantaneous rate of 225 gpm, an annual volume cap of 68,374,800 gallons, a maximum wellhead pressure of 968 psig, and allowed injected waste specific gravity between 0.9 and 1.1. Only the RCRA waste codes listed in Table 1 may be injected.
Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
RIES must submit annual bottom-hole pressure survey reports, annual waste sample reports, annual radioactive tracer survey and annulus pressure test reports, and must notify EPA in writing if any injection well loses mechanical integrity or before any workover or plugging. The exemption is conditioned on compliance with specific Underground Injection Control permits (MI-163-1W-C010 and MI-163-1W-C011).
Exemption Limited to 20-Year Injection Period
Although EPA found no migration for 10,000 years, the exemption is approved only for the 20-year modeled injection period that ends on January 31, 2043. RIES may petition EPA for reissuance beyond that date if a new, complete petition and no-migration demonstration are received by July 31, 2041.
Final Decision Is Not Administratively Appealable
EPA states this decision constitutes a final agency action for which there is no administrative appeal. The December 23, 2025 decision cannot be challenged through EPA's administrative appeal process.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans
The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00775, Arms Sales Notification
The U.S. is planning to sell $100 million worth of advanced weapons to Saudi Arabia, including 2,000 precision-guided missiles and support gear. This deal, led by the Navy, aims to boost Saudi defense capabilities with no sales commissions involved. Congress was notified back in March 2025, and the sale includes training and technical support to keep everything running smoothly.
Next: 2026-00777, Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Operations Specifications, Part 129 Application
The FAA is asking for public feedback as it seeks to renew its approval to collect info from foreign airlines operating in the U.S. This info helps the FAA make sure these airlines can fly safely in U.S. skies. If you have thoughts, send them by March 17, 2026—this keeps the process smooth without adding extra hassle or costs.