ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
INTERIM GUIDANCE ON DESTROYING AND DISPOSING OF CERTAIN PFAS AND PFAS-CONTAINING MATERIALS THAT ARE NOT CONSUMER PRODUCTS
The 2024 updated interim guidance presents currently available information on the destruction and disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances and PFAS-containing materials. This update identifies available, effective and methods to remediate, dispose of and destroy PFAS contamination. It provides information on the current state of science and associated uncertainties for three large-scale capacity technologies that can destroy PFAS or control PFAS release into the environment: thermal destruction, landfills, and underground injection. This guidance will help decision-makers select technologies based on characteristics of
the waste and options available to prevent releases and keep PFAS out of the environment. The revised document builds on
guidance EPA issued in 2020 by incorporating information distilled from new EPA test methods as well as recent findings pertaining to destruction and disposal of PFAS-containing materials in non-consumer settings. It also includes updated screening methods to assess vulnerable populations near PFAS destruction and disposal sites and incorporates comments EPA received on the original document. EPA published the first edition of this guidance as required by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20 NDAA). The FY20 NDAA directed EPA to address the destruction and disposal of PFAS and specific
PFAS-containing materials, including aqueous film-forming foam, contaminated media, textiles (other than consumer goods), and various wastes from water treatment. The NDAA also requires EPA to review and update the guidance as appropriate, but no less frequently than every three years. The primary audience of this guidance is decision makers who need to identify the most effective means for destroying or disposing of PFAS-containing materials and wastes. EPA will accept comments for 180 days from the date of the Federal Register notice initiating the public comment period. Fact Sheet: 2024 Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS
(pdf) EPA Summary of
Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
REGISTER NOW! ECA's New Nuclear Forum: Building Nuclear Partnerships and Projects, May 8-9, 2024 in Kennewick, WA
ECA is excited to be hosting its third New Nuclear Forum, the only meeting designed to bring together DOE, federal, state, local and tribal governments and policymakers with developers, utilities,
regulators, industry, and academia to identify opportunities, challenges and to build the partnerships necessary to support nuclear development. Communities across the country are considering nuclear projects for many reasons - from diversifying regional economies, creating clean energy jobs or meeting carbon reduction goals, to increasing energy security and rebuilding the U.S. supply chain. Some communities have a familiarity with nuclear energy projects, while others are just beginning to evaluate potential interest. The ECA
Forum is designed to enable shared learning so that local, State and Tribal governments evaluating nuclear projects can be meaningfully engaged - and prepared - to match the strengths and needs of their communities with new nuclear opportunities.
INTERESTED IN BEING A SPONSOR? To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Autumn Bogus, ECA Forum Staff, at abogus@la-inc.com.
QUESTIONS?
For any questions, comments, or to learn more about the ECA New Nuclear Forums, please contact Kara Colton,
ECA Director of Nuclear Policy, at kara.colton@energyca.org or Faith Sanchez, ECA Program Director, at faiths@energyca.org.
NEW MEDIA: Gone Fission Nuclear Report: National Laboratories Speed Hanford Cleanup April 8, 2024 | S4E7 The Department of Energy’s 17 national laboratories conduct research and development on some of the world’s most vexing challenges—from climate change to the origins of the universe.
Most recently, six labs have turned their attention to speeding cleanup of underground tank waste at DOE’s Hanford site in Washington State. The labs are using $27 million in DOE funding to research everything from tank integrity and the impact of corrosion to robotic handling of tank waste. Estimates show this and other work could save $150 billion in cleanup costs and shave up to two decades off a 60-year timeline. This week, Gone Fission host Michael Butler talks with Connie Herman, Assistant
Director, Savannah River National Laboratory, and Delmar Noyes, DOE Tank Farms Manager at Hanford. NOTE: The work NNLMES performs is being overseen by the EM Laboratory Policy Office with the support of the EM Technology Operations Office, Hanford Site Office as well as the Office of Science, and ARPA-E.
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Check out ECA's latest
report! DISPOSAL DRIVES CLEANUP: RE-ENERGIZING MOMENTUM FOR DISPOSAL SOLUTIONS FOR RADIOACTIVE WASTE
This report calls on the Department of Energy to launch the initiative to develop the actual waste disposition approaches. The Department could potentially save hundreds of billions of dollars in cleanup costs by using its available tools and implementing the report’s recommendations.
Interactive guide for communities and governments to help navigate nuclear waste cleanup The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) recently released the Guide to Successful Environmental Cleanup, an interactive online resource that provides frequently asked questions, case studies, and recommendations regarding nuclear waste cleanup. To assist local government officials, their communities, and federal agencies in deciphering
the complexities of the environmental cleanup process, ECA developed this guide to facilitate future successful cleanups.
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Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities,
legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org. |
Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national
laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local governments.
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