EPA Tightens Limits on Waste-Burning Plant Gases
Published Date: 6/3/2026
Rule
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 7 costs, 2 mixed.
HF limit for solid-fuel boilers
If you operate a hazardous-waste-burning solid fuel boiler at a major source facility, your unit must meet a hydrogen fluoride (HF) emission limit of 6.2 ppmv (dry basis, corrected to 7% oxygen). Existing sources must comply within three years after June 3, 2026, and perform an initial compliance test within six months after that compliance date.
HCN limit for solid-fuel boilers
If you operate a hazardous-waste-burning solid fuel boiler at a major source facility, your unit must meet a hydrogen cyanide (HCN) emission limit of 5.0 ppmv (dry basis, corrected to 7% oxygen). Existing sources must comply within three years after June 3, 2026, and conduct an initial compliance test no later than six months after the compliance date.
HF work-practice for incinerators
If you operate a hazardous-waste-burning incinerator at a major source facility, the EPA finalized a hydrogen fluoride (HF) work-practice standard with three compliance options (including certifying no fluorine feed, complying via HCl/chlorine OPLs with an AWFCO-interlocked OPL, or monitoring fluorine feed and testing if thresholds are exceeded). Existing incinerators must comply within three years after June 3, 2026, and demonstrate compliance within six months after the compliance date.
HCN limits for cement kilns
The EPA finalized numeric hydrogen cyanide (HCN) emission limits for major-source hazardous-waste-burning cement kilns. The rule also states the Agency revised the HCN limit for new-source cement kilns based on information about the best similar source.
HF work-practice for liquid fuel boilers
If you operate a hazardous-waste-burning liquid fuel boiler at a major source facility, the EPA finalized a hydrogen fluoride (HF) work-practice standard that applies to all major-source liquid fuel boilers. Compliance timing follows the rule's general schedule (see compliance provision).
HCN limits for liquid fuel boilers
The EPA finalized numeric hydrogen cyanide (HCN) emission limits for some major-source hazardous-waste-burning liquid fuel boilers. Affected owners/operators must meet the numeric limits and perform required testing and recordkeeping.
New startup/shutdown/malfunction rules
The EPA finalized new work-practice standards that address emissions during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) for hazardous-waste combustors. These SSM provisions are part of the rule that becomes effective June 3, 2026, and affected facilities must follow the new SSM work practices.
New electronic reporting requirements
The rule adds new electronic reporting provisions and requirements (e.g., use of EPA electronic reporting tools and interfaces) for affected hazardous-waste combustor owners/operators. These electronic reporting rules are effective June 3, 2026.
Title V permitting exemption option
The EPA finalized a provision that allows Title V air permitting authorities to choose, on a case-by-case basis, to exempt area-source hazardous-waste combustors from Title V permitting when those area sources are not otherwise subject to Title V requirements. This option is part of the final rule effective June 3, 2026.
Compliance dates and testing schedule
This rule is effective June 3, 2026. Unless otherwise specified, existing affected major-source units must comply within three years after June 3, 2026, demonstrate initial compliance by testing or certification within six months after the compliance date, and perform comprehensive performance testing (CPT) once every five years thereafter.
Overall cost estimate and economic impact
The EPA estimates present-value costs of $2.4 million at a 3% discount rate and $1.8 million at a 7% discount rate over the 2027–2041 time frame, with equivalent annualized values of $200,000 per year (2024 dollars). Averaged over the first three years, the EPA does not expect any affected entity to incur an annual cost of more than 0.16 percent of their revenues, and nine affected parent entities are expected to have cost savings associated with the final rule.
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