Project XL Site-specific Rulemaking for University Laboratories at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston MA, the Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, and the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT; Hazardous Waste Management System

Today's rule provides regulatory flexibility under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended. It allows the participating laboratories at the University of Massachusetts- Boston, Boston, MA, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA and the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT (the Universities) to replace certain existing requirements for hazardous waste generators with a comprehensive Laboratory Environmental Management Plan (EMP) designed for each University. EPA is promulgating this rule to implement an XL project for the laboratories at the Universities. The terms of the XL project are defined in the Final Project Agreement (FPA) which is scheduled to be signed by the parties on September 28, 1999. The FPA explains the project in detail, while the promulgation of this federal rule will enable Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) and Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) to implement portions of the project requiring regulatory changes. The requirements of this rule will not take effect in Massachusetts and Vermont until they adopt the requirements as state law. For the sake of simplicity, the remainder of this preamble refers to the effects of this rule, although it will be the corresponding state law change that will actually govern this XL project. In order to qualify for the flexibility that the rule provides, the Universities must implement environmental management plans for the participating laboratories and comply with minimum performance criteria for managing laboratory waste. EPA expects this XL project to result in superior environmental performance in Massachusetts and Vermont, while providing waste minimization opportunities to the participating Universities.