EPA Tightens Rules on Waste Burners, Ends Malfunction Excuses
Published Date: 11/9/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is updating rules for hazardous waste burners like incinerators and boilers to limit harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and cyanide. They’re removing some old exemptions for startup and shutdown times and adding new reporting rules, giving states more say on permits. These changes affect businesses that burn hazardous waste and aim to keep our air cleaner, with comments open until December 26, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
New limits on HF and HCN emissions
The EPA proposes numeric emission limits and work practice standards for hydrogen fluoride (HF) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from hazardous waste combustors including incinerators, cement kilns, solid fuel boilers, and liquid fuel boilers. These new limits would apply to the affected HWC units if finalized and were proposed as part of the EPA's residual risk and technology review.
Air quality improvement from HF/HCN controls
The EPA's proposal would limit emissions of hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide from hazardous waste combustors, which the agency says is intended to reduce harmful air pollutants and help keep the air cleaner. The proposal is part of the EPA's residual risk and technology review under the Clean Air Act.
End SSM exemption; add SSM work practices
The EPA proposes to eliminate the startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) exemption in the HWC NESHAP and add a work practice standard to govern periods of SSM. If finalized, facilities would need to follow the new SSM work practices and could no longer rely on the existing SSM exemption.
New electronic reporting requirements
The EPA proposes to add electronic reporting procedures and requirements for affected hazardous waste combustor sources (including use of electronic reporting tools). The proposal notes comments on Paperwork Reduction Act information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if OMB receives them by December 10, 2025.
States may exempt area sources from permits
The EPA proposes to allow states to choose to exempt certain area sources from some permitting requirements under title V or related permitting programs. This change would let states opt to relieve certain area sources from specific permitting obligations.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-06275 — Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program: Standards for 2026 and 2027, Partial Waiver of 2025 Cellulosic Biofuel Volume Requirement, and Other Changes
The EPA just set new rules for renewable fuels in 2026 and 2027, including how much biofuel must be used. They’re also easing the 2025 cellulosic biofuel goals because production fell short and dropping renewable electricity as a qualifying fuel. These changes affect fuel producers and sellers, kick in mostly by mid-2026, and aim to keep America’s fuel cleaner and greener without breaking the bank.
2026-05167 — National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review Reconsideration
The EPA is proposing changes to rules for sterilization facilities that use ethylene oxide, a chemical that can be harmful if not controlled. They want to remove some strict risk-based limits, fix technical mistakes, and update how facilities prove they’re following the rules. If you run or work with these facilities, get ready for new deadlines and clearer standards by mid-2026, which could affect how you manage emissions and compliance costs.
2026-04646 — Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Large Municipal Waste Combustors Voluntary Remand Response and Five-Year Review
The EPA is updating pollution rules for big trash-burning plants to cut harmful emissions like lead, mercury, and dioxins. These changes affect both new and existing facilities, tighten limits, remove some loopholes, and improve reporting, all starting May 11, 2026. This update will help clean the air by reducing over 3,200 tons of pollution each year, making communities healthier and safer.
2025-21788 — Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review: Extension of Deadlines in Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources
The EPA is giving oil and natural gas companies more time to meet new pollution control rules and report their emissions. Deadlines for fixing leaks, monitoring equipment, and submitting state plans are pushed back to help everyone get ready without rushing. These changes keep the climate goals on track while easing the financial and timing pressure on the industry.
2025-20402 — Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”
The EPA and Army Corps are updating the rules that decide which waters are protected under the Clean Water Act, following a 2023 Supreme Court decision. This change helps everyone know exactly which waters are covered, making it easier to protect lakes, rivers, and wetlands while respecting state and tribal rights. People and businesses affected should share their thoughts by January 5, 2026, as this update could impact water projects and environmental protections.
2025-19882 — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Data Reporting and Recordkeeping Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Revision to Regulation
The EPA is updating rules for companies that make or import PFAS chemicals, asking them to report certain info about these substances from 2011-2022. The changes add some smart exceptions to ease reporting on things companies probably don’t know, saving time and hassle. Comments on the proposal are open until late December 2025, so affected businesses should get ready to weigh in!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-19812 — Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes Under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Fire Suppression
The EPA is proposing new rules to approve safer, ozone-friendly substitutes for use in air conditioners, refrigerators, and fire suppression systems. This affects manufacturers and users by updating which chemicals are allowed and how they can be used, helping protect our planet’s ozone layer. Comments on these changes are open until December 26, 2025, so now’s the time to speak up!
Next: 2025-19864 — Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is updating rules to make sure everyone gets a fair shot at credit, no matter who they are. These changes clarify how lenders should avoid unfair treatment and support special credit programs. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until December 15, 2025, to speak up!
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in