Dive Brief:

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is adding these five hazardous waste sites to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL): 
  • ​Estech General Chemical Co. in Calumet City, IL
  • Colonial Creosote in Bogalusa, LA
  • BJAT LLC in Franklin, MA
  • Main Street Ground Water Plume in Burnet, TX
  • Grain Handling Facility in Freeman, WA
• These seven sites have been proposed for addition to the NPL: 
  • PCE Former Dry Cleaner in Atlantic, IA
  • Old American Zinc Plant in Fairmont City, IL
  • West Vermont Drinking Water Contamination in Indianapolis, IN
  • SBA Shipyard in Jennings, LA
  • Iowa-Nebraska Light & Power Co. in Norfolk, NE
  • Former Kil-Tone Co. in Vineland, NJ
  • Lea and West Second Street in Roswell, NM.
• Sites on the NPL are the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites, and they are the only sites that are eligible for federal funding for long-term permanent cleanup. Cleanups are aimed at reducing risks to human health and the environment, and helping facilitate economic revitalization of the sites.

Dive Insight:

EPA said in a press release that the Superfund program "operates on the principle that polluters should pay for the cleanups, rather than passing the costs to taxpayers." It adds, "state partnership is critical to the cleanup."

Although the Superfund NPL only tackles the most uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, many similar sites are causing conflict in the industry. In Detroit, storage at a hazardous waste plant is being increased from 64,000 gallons to 666,000 gallons, despite pushback from certain groups and officials. In August, a company sued the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for issues at a hazardous waste site. 

Last month, the EPA proposed two new hazardous waste rules to clarify standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and hazardous waste generators. Overall, the EPA is making strides in ensuring such toxic sites across the nation are safe and under control.