Addition of Facilities in Certain Industry Sectors; Revised Interpretation of Otherwise Use; Toxic Release Inventory Reporting; Community Right-to-Know

EPA is adding seven industry groups to the list of facilities subject to the reporting requirements of section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (PPA). These industry groups are metal mining, coal mining, electric utilities, commercial hazardous waste treatment, chemicals and allied products-wholesale, petroleum bulk terminals and plants-wholesale, and solvent recovery services. EPA believes that the addition of these industry groups to the EPCRA section 313 list will significantly enhance the public's knowledge about releases, transfers, and other waste management of toxic chemicals. EPA is taking this action pursuant to its authority to add to the list those facilities that meet the standard of EPCRA section 313(b)(1)(B). Reporting for facilities within these industry groups will be effective beginning with the 1998 reporting year. The first reports from the added facilities must be submitted to EPA and the States by July 1, 1999. EPA is also revising its interpretation of the threshold activity, ``otherwise use'' and this interpretation is reflected in the revised definition. This change is effective beginning with the 1998 reporting year. The first reports from any covered facilities using the revised interpretation must be submitted on or before July 1, 1999. Finally, EPA is announcing it will initiate an intensive stakeholder process to comprehensively evaluate the current reporting forms and reporting practices.