On January 20 and 21, 2025, FET will hold two half day webinars covering air emissions reporting updates as well as compliance reminders and issues impacting air permits.   There are a number of critical air regulatory changes coming in 2025 and this webinar will give you information to help your facility react and comply.   There are only a few changes to the air emissions inventory reporting system, but facilities with emissions regulated under NR 445, the hazardous air contaminants rule, will see the biggest changes.  In addition, there are some items to be aware of in regards to the stack data entered in the system.  The emissions inventory section of the webinar will discuss how to best be prepared to ensure accurate data is entered for your facility in the reporting system.

With respect to air permit impacts, some of Wisconsin’s areas currently designated as Moderate Nonattainment for ozone will soon be redesignated as Serious Nonattainment by US Environmental Protection Agency.  When the redesignation is finalized, the threshold for major sources is reduced and facilities in those nonattainment areas will need to review their permit status and determine if changes are needed in order to maintain compliance.  Facilities covered by a permit that restricts emissions below the major source level may need to comply with and request lower limits or apply for a different permit.  In addition, major sources that want to construct will be limited to a smaller allowable increase or will need to obtain offsets and apply LAER.    DNR staff will speak at the webinar on when these redesignations will occur and how to proceed with submitting new permit applications.  Other air permit topics covered include permit exemption options and ensuring complete renewal applications as well as federal enforcement and regulatory updates.

Register for the Annual Air Reporting Update webinar through our upcoming events page!

This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through January 31, 2025. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on May 13, 2024, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

Section 3004 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended, requires the EPA to develop standards for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) as may be necessary to protect human health and the environment. Subsections 3004(a)(1), (3), (4), (5), and (6) specify that these standards include, but not be limited to, the following requirements:

• Maintaining records of all hazardous wastes identified or listed under subtitle C that are treated, stored, or disposed of, and the manner in which such wastes were treated, stored, or disposed of;
• Operating methods, techniques, and practices for treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste;
• Location, design, and construction of such hazardous waste treatment, disposal, or storage facilities;
• Contingency plans for effective action to minimize unanticipated damage from any treatment, storage, or disposal of any such hazardous waste; and
• Maintaining or operating such facilities and requiring such additional qualifications as to ownership, continuity of operation, training for personnel, and financial responsibility as may be necessary or desirable.

Comments may be submitted on or before December 23, 2024.

For more information, visit https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/21/2024-27308/information-collection-request-submitted-to-omb-for-review-and-approval-comment-request-general

The A&WMA Lake Michigan States Section is pleased to once again offer the Midwest’s most comprehensive annual program on air quality management issues. Conference attendees will hear from senior Federal, State and local representatives on developing regulatory and enforcement initiatives. There will also be a discussion of the recent United States Supreme Court decisions impacting administrative law, and you will also hear from government, industry and consultant representatives on the latest developments in air permitting. The annual air conference will be headlined by a keynote from J.C. Kibbey, Illinois’ Climate Advisor, to discuss the recent federal award of over $430 million to the State of Illinois through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Wisconsin businesses aiming to enhance their sustainability initiatives and gain recognition for their efforts have until September 30^th to apply for recognition in Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council’s (WSBC) Green Masters Program®. This program offers a strategic framework for organizations to define and prioritize sustainability initiatives that add business value.

For more information or to learn how your organization can participate, please visit www.wisconsinsustainability.com or contact Christa Kananen, Program Manager, at Christa@wisconsinsustainability.com.

OSHA has amended the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with regard to aerosol can classification. The agency has determined that the revisions in this final rule will enhance the effectiveness of the HCS by ensuring employees are appropriately apprised of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed, thus reducing the incidence of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries. The modifications to the standard include revised criteria for classification of certain health and physical hazards, revised provisions for updating labels, new labeling provisions for small containers, new provisions related to trade secrets, technical amendments related to the contents of safety data sheets (SDSs), and related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard. This final rule is effective July 19, 2024.  Additional information.