UNITED STATES
CODE
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
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CHAPTER 133 -
POLLUTION PREVENTION
? 13101.
Findings and policy.
? 13102.
Definitions.
? 13103. EPA
activities.
? 13104. Grants
to States for State technical assistance programs.
? 13105. Source
Reduction Clearinghouse.
? 13106. Source
reduction and recycling data collection.
? 13107. EPA
report.
? 13108. Savings
provisions.
? 13109.
Authorization of appropriations.
- (a) Findings
The Congress finds that:
- (1) The United States of America annually
produces millions of tons of pollution and spends tens of billions of dollars per year
controlling this pollution.
- (2) There are significant opportunities for
industry to reduce or prevent pollution at the source through cost-effective changes in
production, operation, and raw materials use. Such changes offer industry substantial
savings in reduced raw material, pollution control, and liability costs as well as help
protect the environment and reduce risks to worker health and safety.
- (3) The opportunities for source reduction
are often not realized because existing regulations, and the industrial resources they
require for compliance, focus upon treatment and disposal, rather than source reduction;
existing regulations do not emphasize multi-media management of pollution; and businesses
need information and technical assistance to overcome institutional barriers to the
adoption of source reduction practices.
- (4) Source reduction is fundamentally
different and more desirable than waste management and pollution control. The
Environmental Protection Agency needs to address the historical lack of attention to
source reduction.
- (5) As a first step in preventing pollution
through source reduction, the Environmental Protection Agency must establish a source
reduction program which collects and disseminates information, provides financial
assistance to States, and implements the other activities provided for in this chapter.
- (b) Policy
The Congress hereby declares it to be the national policy of the United States that
pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible; pollution that
cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner, whenever
feasible; pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated in an
environmentally safe manner whenever feasible; and disposal or other release into the
environment should be employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an
environmentally safe manner.
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For purposes of this chapter -
- The term ''Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- The term ''Agency'' means the Environmental
Protection Agency.
- The term ''toxic chemical'' means any
substance on the list described in section 11023(c) of this title.
- The term ''release'' has the same meaning as
provided by section 11049(8) of this title.
-
- (A) The term ''source reduction'' means any
practice which -
- (i) reduces the amount of any hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering any waste stream or otherwise released into
the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal;
and
- (ii) reduces the hazards to public health and
the environment associated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or
contaminants. The term includes equipment or technology modifications, process or
procedure modifications, reformulation or redesign of products, substitution of raw
materials, and improvements in housekeeping, maintenance, training, or inventory control.
- (B) The term ''source reduction'' does not
include any practice which alters the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics or
the volume of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant through a process or
activity which itself is not integral to and necessary for the production of a product or
the providing of a service.
- The term ''multi-media'' means water, air,
and land.
- The term ''SIC codes'' refers to the 2-digit
code numbers used for classification of economic activity in the Standard Industrial
Classification Manual.
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- (a) Authorities
The Administrator shall establish in the Agency an office to carry out the functions of
the Administrator under this chapter. The office shall be independent of the Agency's
single-medium program offices but shall have the authority to review and advise such
offices on their activities to promote a multi-media approach to source reduction. The
office shall be under the direction of such officer of the Agency as the Administrator
shall designate.
- (b) Functions
The Administrator shall develop and implement a strategy to promote source reduction. As
part of the strategy, the Administrator shall -
- establish standard methods of measurement of
source reduction;
- ensure that the Agency considers the effect
of its existing and proposed programs on source reduction efforts and shall review
regulations of the Agency prior and subsequent to their proposal to determine their effect
on source reduction;
- coordinate source reduction activities in
each Agency Office (FOOTNOTE 1) and coordinate with appropriate offices to promote source
reduction practices in other Federal agencies, and generic research and development on
techniques and processes which have broad applicability;
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
- develop improved methods of coordinating,
streamlining and assuring public access to data collected under Federal environmental
statutes;
- facilitate the adoption of source reduction
techniques by businesses. This strategy shall include the use of the Source Reduction
Clearinghouse and State matching grants provided in this chapter to foster the exchange of
information regarding source reduction techniques, the dissemination of such information
to businesses, and the provision of technical assistance to businesses. The strategy shall
also consider the capabilities of various businesses to make use of source reduction
techniques;
- identify, where appropriate, measurable goals
which reflect the policy of this chapter, the tasks necessary to achieve the goals, dates
at which the principal tasks are to be accomplished, required resources, organizational
responsibilities, and the means by which progress in meeting the goals will be measured;
- (FOOTNOTE 2) establish an advisory panel of
technical experts comprised of representatives from industry, the States, and public
interest groups, to advise the Administrator on ways to improve collection and
dissemination of data;
(FOOTNOTE 2) So in original. Subsec. (b) enacted without a par. (7).
- establish a training program on source
reduction
opportunities, including workshops and guidance documents, for State and Federal permit
issuance, enforcement, and inspection officials working within all agency program offices.
(FOOTNOTE 3)
(FOOTNOTE 3) So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
- identify and make recommendations to Congress
to eliminate barriers to source reduction including the use of incentives and
disincentives;
- identify opportunities to use Federal
procurement to encourage source reduction;
- develop, test and disseminate model source
reduction auditing procedures designed to highlight source reduction opportunities; and
- establish an annual award program to
recognize a company or companies which operate outstanding or innovative source reduction
programs.
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- (a) General authority
The Administrator shall make matching grants to States for programs to promote the use of
source reduction techniques by businesses.
- (b) Criteria
When evaluating the requests for grants under this section, the Administrator shall
consider, among other things, whether the proposed State program would accomplish the
following:
- Make specific technical assistance available
to businesses seeking information about source reduction opportunities, including funding
for experts to provide onsite technical advice to business (FOOTNOTE 1) seeking assistance
and to assist in the development of source reduction plans.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be ''businesses''.
- Target assistance to businesses for whom lack
of information is an impediment to source reduction.
- Provide training in source reduction
techniques. Such training may be provided through local engineering schools or any other
appropriate means.
- (c) Matching funds
Federal funds used in any State program under this section shall provide no more than 50
per centum of the funds made available to a State in each year of that State's
participation in the program.
- (d) Effectiveness
The Administrator shall establish appropriate means for measuring the effectiveness of the
State grants made under this section in promoting the use of source reduction techniques
by businesses.
- (e) Information
States receiving grants under this section shall make information generated under the
grants available to the Administrator.
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- (a) Authority
The Administrator shall establish a Source Reduction Clearinghouse to compile information
including a computer data base which contains information on management, technical, and
operational approaches to source reduction. The Administrator shall use the clearinghouse
to -
- serve as a center for source reduction
technology transfer;
- mount active outreach and education programs
by the States to further the adoption of source reduction technologies; and
- collect and compile information reported by
States receiving grants under section 13104 of this title on the operation and success of
State source reduction programs.
- (b) Public availability
The Administrator shall make available to the public such information on source reduction
as is gathered pursuant to this chapter and such other pertinent information and analysis
regarding source reduction as may be available to the Administrator. The data base shall
permit entry and retrieval of information to any person.
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- (a) Reporting requirements
Each owner or operator of a facility required to file an annual toxic chemical release
form under section 11023 of this title for any toxic chemical shall include with each such
annual filing a toxic chemical source reduction and recycling report for the
preceding (FOOTNOTE 1) calendar year. The toxic chemical source reduction and recycling report shall
cover each toxic chemical required to be reported in the annual toxic chemical release
form filed by the owner or operator under section 11023(c) of this title. This section
shall take effect with the annual report filed under section 11023 of this title for the
first full calendar year beginning after November 5, 1990.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be ''preceding''.
- (b) Items included in report
The toxic chemical source reduction and recycling report required under subsection (a) of
this section shall set forth each of the following on a facility-by-facility basis for
each toxic chemical:
- The quantity of the chemical entering any
waste stream (or otherwise released into the environment) prior to recycling, treatment,
or disposal during the calendar year for which the report is filed and the percentage
change from the previous year. The quantity reported shall not include any amount reported
under paragraph (7). When actual measurements of the quantity of a toxic chemical entering
the waste streams are not readily available, reasonable estimates should be made based on
best engineering judgment.
- The amount of the chemical from the facility
which is recycled (at the facility or elsewhere) during such calendar year, the percentage
change from the previous year, and the process of recycling used.
- The source reduction practices used with
respect to that chemical during such year at the facility. Such practices shall be
reported in accordance with the following categories unless the Administrator finds other
categories to be more appropriate.
- (A) Equipment, technology, process, or
procedure modifications.
- (B) Reformulation or redesign of products.
- (C) Substitution of raw materials.
- (D) Improvement in management, training,
inventory control, materials handling, or other general operational phases of industrial
facilities.
- The amount expected to be reported under
paragraph (FOOTNOTE 2) (1) and (2) for the two calendar years immediately following the
calendar year for which the report is filed. Such amount shall be expressed as a
percentage change from the amount reported in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(FOOTNOTE 2) So in original. Probably should be ''paragraphs''.
- A ratio of production in the reporting year
to production in the previous year. The ratio should be calculated to most closely reflect
all activities involving the toxic chemical. In specific industrial classifications
subject to this section, where a feedstock or some variable other than production is the
primary influence on waste characteristics or volumes, the report may provide an index
based on that primary variable for each toxic chemical. The Administrator is encouraged to
develop production indexes to accommodate individual industries for use on a voluntary
basis.
- The techniques which were used to identify
source reduction opportunities. Techniques listed should include, but are not limited to,
employee recommendations, external and internal audits, participative team management, and
material balance audits. Each type of source reduction listed under paragraph (3) should
be associated with the techniques or multiples of techniques used to identify the source
reduction technique.
- The amount of any toxic chemical released
into the environment which resulted from a catastrophic event, remedial action, or other
one-time event, and is not associated with production processes during the reporting year.
- The amount of the chemical from the facility
which is treated (at the facility or elsewhere) during such calendar year and the
percentage change from the previous year. For the first year of reporting under this
subsection, comparison with the previous year is required only to the extent such
information is available.
- (c) SARA provisions
The provisions of sections 11042, 11045(c), and 11046 of this title shall apply to the
reporting requirements of this section in the same manner as to the reports required under
section >11023 of this title. The Administrator may modify the form required for
purposes of reporting information under section 11023 of this title to the extent he deems
necessary to include the additional information required under this section.
- (d) Additional optional information
Any person filing a report under this section for any year may include with the report
additional information regarding source reduction, recycling, and other pollution control
techniques in earlier years.
- (e) Availability of data
Subject to section 11042 of this title, the Administrator shall make data collected under
this section publicly available in the same manner as the data collected under section
11023 of this title.
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- (a) Biennial reports
The Administrator shall provide Congress with a report within eighteen months after
November 5, 1990, and biennially thereafter, containing a detailed description of the
actions taken to implement the strategy to promote source reduction developed under
section 13103(b) (FOOTNOTE 1) of this title and of the results of such actions. The report
shall include an assessment of the effectiveness of the clearinghouse and grant program
established under this chapter in promoting the goals of the strategy, and shall evaluate
data gaps and data duplication with respect to data collected under Federal environmental
statutes.
(FOOTNOTE 1) See References in Text note below.
- (b) Subsequent reports
Each biennial report submitted under subsection (a) of this section after the first report
shall contain each of the following:
- An analysis of the data collected under
section 13106 of this title on an industry-by-industry basis for not less than five SIC
codes or other categories as the Administrator deems appropriate. The analysis shall begin
with those SIC codes or other categories of facilities which generate the largest
quantities of toxic chemical waste. The analysis shall include an evaluation of trends in
source reduction by industry, firm size, production, or other useful means. Each such
subsequent report shall cover five SIC codes or other categories which were not covered in
a prior report until all SIC codes or other categories have been covered.
- An analysis of the usefulness and validity of
the data collected under section 13106 of this title for measuring trends in source
reduction and the adoption of source reduction by business.
- Identification of regulatory and
nonregulatory barriers to source reduction, and of opportunities for using existing
regulatory programs, and incentives and disincentives to promote and assist source
reduction.
- Identification of industries and pollutants
that require priority assistance in multi-media source reduction (FOOTNOTE 2)
(FOOTNOTE 2) So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
- Recommendations as to incentives needed to
encourage investment and research and development in source reduction.
- Identification of opportunities and
development of priorities for research and development in source reduction methods and
techniques.
- An evaluation of the cost and technical
feasibility, by industry and processes, of source reduction opportunities and current
activities and an identification of any industries for which there are significant
barriers to source reduction with an analysis of the basis of this identification.
- An evaluation of methods of coordinating,
streamlining, and improving public access to data collected under Federal environmental
statutes.
- An evaluation of data gaps and data
duplication with respect to data collected under Federal environmental statutes. In the
report following the first biennial report provided for under this subsection, paragraphs
(3) through (9) may be included at the discretion of the Administrator.
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- (a) Nothing in this chapter shall be
construed to modify or interfere with the implementation of title III of the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 11001 et seq.).
- (b) Nothing contained in this chapter shall
be construed, interpreted or applied to supplant, displace, preempt or otherwise diminish
the responsibilities and liabilities under other State or Federal law, whether statutory
or common.
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There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Administrator $8,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991, 1992, and 1993 for
functions carried out under this chapter (other than State Grants), (FOOTNOTE 1) and
$8,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991, 1992, and 1993, for grant programs to States
issued pursuant to section 13104 of this title.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
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