Alaska gets EPA green light for waste rules.
Published Date: 8/6/2026
Rule
Summary
The State of Alaska (Alaska or the State) has applied to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA or the Agency) for final authorization of its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (RCRA). The EPA has reviewed Alaska's application and has made a final determination that Alaska's hazardous waste program satisfies all requirements for final authorization. Thus, the EPA is granting final authorization for the State to operate its program subject to the limitations on its authority retained by the EPA in accordance with RCRA, including the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA). Alaska's program will operate in lieu of the Federal hazardous waste program in Alaska; however, the EPA will retain jurisdiction and authority to implement the Federal RCRA program in Indian country and areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction in Alaska.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Stricter Cleanup and Corrective Action Rules
Alaska's rules (for example, 18 AAC 62.527 and 18 AAC 75.340-75.345) can require corrective action and cleanup standards that are more stringent than Federal RCRA standards, and where State cleanup standards differ the more stringent standard applies. If you own or operate a facility needing cleanup in Alaska, you may face stricter cleanup procedures and standards under State law.
Alaska Now Runs RCRA Hazardous Waste Program
Effective August 6, 2026, Alaska is authorized to run the State hazardous waste program in place of the Federal RCRA hazardous waste program within the State. If you handle hazardous waste in Alaska, you must follow Alaska's hazardous waste rules (as adopted, effective June 1, 2025) instead of the Federal rules except in Indian country and areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction where the EPA still enforces the Federal program.
Electronic Waste Treated as Universal Waste
Alaska adds electronic items (for example: computers, laptops, monitors, cell phones, keyboards, printers, copy machines) to its universal waste rules at 18 AAC 62.205, 1110, 1135, and 1390. Electronic waste managed as universal waste is exempt from the State's standard hazardous waste requirements and may be handled under streamlined recycling rules if properly recycled.
New State Siting Steps for Hazardous Facilities
Alaska's regulations (18 AAC 63 and 18 AAC 62.1010) add Alaska-specific siting requirements for new hazardous waste management facilities, including a rule that owners/operators must initiate siting requirements not fewer than 365 days before construction and meet pre-application and setback requirements. If you plan to build a new hazardous waste facility in Alaska, you must follow these State siting steps and timelines.
State Requires Annual Notifications
Alaska's hazardous waste rules add annual notification requirements for Small Quantity Generators (SQGs), Large Quantity Generators (LQGs), and Transporters (see 18 AAC 62.301(a)(2), 18 AAC 62.430, and 18 AAC 62.840(b)). If your business is a generator or transporter in Alaska, you must file these annual notifications under State law.
EPA Keeps Authority in Indian Country
The EPA will continue to implement and enforce the Federal hazardous waste program in Indian country (as defined by 18 U.S.C. 1151) and in areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction in Alaska after August 6, 2026. That means Federal (not State) hazardous waste rules and EPA enforcement will apply in those areas.
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: 2026-15978, Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-20-12 for certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V; Croman Corporation Model SH-3H; Carson Helicopters, Inc., Model S-61L and SH-3H; Glacier Helicopter, Inc., Model CH-3E; Robinson Air Crane, Inc., Model CH-3E, CH-3C, HH-3C and HH-3E; and Siller Helicopters Model CH-3E and SH-3A helicopters. AD 2015-20-12 required performing calculations to determine whether the main rotor shaft (MRS) was used in repetitive external lift (REL) operations or non-REL operations, performing a nondestructive inspection (NDI) of the REL MRS for cracks and, depending on the results of the NDI, replacing the MRS, marking any REL MRS at the time of the NDI, establishing retirement lives for each REL MRS, and removing from service any MRS with oversized dowel pin bores. Since the FAA issued AD 2015-20-12, a design re-evaluation shows that the MRS on certain helicopter models requires a lower life limit. This AD retains some of the requirements of AD 2015-20-12, and also reduces the retirement life for a certain MRS installed on certain helicopters and updates the type certificate holder name for some of the affected helicopter models. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Next: 2026-15986, Air Plan Approval; Connecticut; Plan for Inclusion of a Consent Order No. 8383-Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC and Negative Declaration for Rubber Tire Manufacturing Sources
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Connecticut to address certain Federal requirements for the 2008 and 2015 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This revision approves a source-specific SIP revision for Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC's Cromwell compressor station facility in Cromwell, CT, to address reasonably available control technology (RACT) determinations for major stationary sources of volatile organic compounds (VOC). The CAA requires states to submit SIP revisions addressing RACT requirements for ozone nonattainment areas classified as Moderate or higher and for any portion of the state located in an ozone transport region (OTR). RACT determinations are required for this source because it is located in the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT 2008 ozone Severe nonattainment area and 2015 ozone Serious nonattainment area and because Connecticut is in the OTR. The EPA is also approving a negative declaration for existing rubber tire manufacturing sources statewide. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.