EPA Greenlights 100 Hazardous Waste Piles in Oklahoma – No Leaks Promised!
Published Date: 2/26/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA just gave Clean Harbors' Lone Mountain facility in Oklahoma the green light to temporarily store certain treated hazardous wastes in up to 100 special piles on-site while they check if the waste meets safety rules. This means Clean Harbors can hold onto these wastes safely before final disposal, starting March 30, 2026, with no extra costs announced. It’s a win for safe, smart waste management at this facility!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Facility Allowed 100 On‑Site Put Piles
EPA approved a no‑migration variance letting Clean Harbors' Lone Mountain facility in Waynoka, Oklahoma temporarily store treated hazardous wastes in up to a combined 100 "put piles" at any one time in Subtitle C Landfill Cell 15. This approval is effective March 30, 2026.
Detailed Liners, Cover, and Monitoring Requirements
Put piles must use a single‑piece polyethylene liner at least 20‑mil thick with at least 12 inches of liner visible around the pile, be covered with Posi‑Shell (minimum 3/8‑inch thickness) or temporary 20‑mil polyethylene sheeting during adverse weather, and be subject to daily inspections. Deficiencies must be remedied within one (1) week; if a migration is detected or cannot be fixed within one week, the facility must suspend receipt at the affected put pile and notify EPA Region 6 in writing within ten (10) days. If initial verification failure for treated put piles exceeds 5% in a calendar month, the facility must do a root cause analysis and adjust treatment.
Six‑Month (180‑Day) Storage Limit Per Put Pile
Each put pile may be staged for up to six (6) months (180 days) from the time the pile is first staged until final disposal in Landfill Cell 15. If staging beyond 180 days is necessary, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) may issue an extension if warranted.
Cap, Expansion Process, and Reporting Conditions
Clean Harbors must request EPA Region 6 approval before creating more than 100 put piles. Expansion of the variance to a future Cell 16 requires an addendum and meeting five conditions (compliance with the NMV, same engineered controls, 6‑month duration, same waste categories, and expanded monitoring). The facility must also submit a duplicate copy of the RCRA annual report to EPA Region 6.
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: 2026-03875, Establishment of Helena Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) as a Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Point in the State of Montana
The FAA is setting up the Helena VORTAC in Montana as a new low altitude reporting point for pilots starting May 14, 2026. This change helps pilots and air traffic controllers keep flights safe and organized in the area. If you fly or manage flights near Helena, this update makes navigation smoother without extra costs or delays.
Next: 2026-03880, Air Plan Approval; Michigan; Moderate Attainment Plan Elements for the Allegan County, Berrien County, and Muskegon County Areas for the 2015 Ozone Standard
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to Michigan’s plan to clean up the air in parts of Allegan, Berrien, and Muskegon counties by meeting ozone pollution goals set in 2015. This means updated pollution data and car emissions limits are now official, helping these areas breathe easier. The new rules kick in on March 30, 2026, with no extra costs for residents—just cleaner air ahead!