EPA's Wild Plan: Burn Old Tires as Fuel to Zap Pollution Piles
Published Date: 3/23/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing a new rule to turn old, abandoned scrap tires into useful fuel for cement factories instead of waste. This change helps clean up tire piles that harm public health and the environment while boosting American energy recovery. People and businesses involved in tire cleanup and cement manufacturing should weigh in by May 22, 2026, as this could save money and reduce pollution.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Recovered Scrap Tires Treated as Fuel
The EPA proposes to designate scrap tires recovered from abandoned piles as a categorical non-waste fuel when they are managed as a valuable commodity and combusted in cement kilns. This change would allow recovered abandoned tires to be regulated the same way as collected scrap tires and remove the requirement to shred and dewire them before they can be used as fuel in cement manufacturing. Comments are due by May 22, 2026.
Facilitates Tire Pile Cleanup and Health Gains
The proposal aims to facilitate cleanup of abandoned scrap tire piles—estimated at about 48 million tires as of 2023—by making recovered tires easier and cheaper to use as fuel in cement kilns. EPA says this will reduce public health risks from tire fires and disease vectors (like mosquitoes and rodents) and can provide environmental benefits from reduced virgin fuel use; the agency seeks comments by May 22, 2026.
Broadened Definition for Tire Collection Programs
The EPA proposes to revise the regulatory definition of an "established tire collection program" to explicitly include programs that recover previously abandoned scrap tires and ensure they are not discarded after recovery. Under the proposed change, such collection programs could send recovered whole tires to cement kilns as non-waste fuel without needing to shred and dewire them first, reducing processing, logistics, and handling costs.
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
2026-19071, Partial Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units
The EPA is rolling back most of the 2024 rules that limited carbon pollution from fossil fuel power plants. This change affects coal and gas plants by easing some strict limits on emissions and carbon capture technology. The new rules kick in on November 16, 2026, potentially saving money for power plants but raising questions about pollution control.
2026-19072, Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants and Repeal of Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Clean Air Act Section 111
The EPA is proposing to cancel all greenhouse gas rules for fossil fuel power plants, saying the law doesn’t let them regulate these emissions for climate reasons. This change affects power plants across the U.S. and could impact future pollution limits and costs. Comments on this proposal are open until November 2, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”
The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.
2026-14112, Amendments and Nonconformance Penalties for Model Year 2027 and Later Heavy-Duty Highway Engines and Amendments to Inducement Provisions for SCR-Equipped Diesel Engines
Starting with model year 2027, the EPA is updating rules for big truck engines to make sure they last longer and pollute less. They’re also letting engine makers pay penalties if their engines don’t meet standards, and tightening rules for special pollution-control systems on diesel engines. These changes affect truck and engine makers and kick in soon, with public feedback due by August 29, 2026.
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!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-05574, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
If you fly or maintain certain Airbus helicopters, the FAA wants you to update the cabin door release systems to keep everyone safe. This new rule replaces old ones and gives clearer instructions, plus more time to get the work done. It might cost some money but stops repeated inspections and fixes a safety issue for good.
Next: 2026-05597, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
The FAA wants to make sure certain Boeing 737 airplanes don’t have fuel leaks caused by a faulty gasket near the engine fuel shutoff valve. They’re asking airlines to inspect the gasket and test for leaks, fixing any problems found. Comments are open until May 7, 2026, and these checks help keep flights safe without big costs if done on time.