Florida: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions
Key claim: EPA confirmed Florida’s revised hazardous waste program is federally authorized after finding two public comments were not adverse, so the state’s program changes took effect on May 26, 2026.
Abstract
(Rule · Environmental Protection Agency) On September 1, 2023, Florida submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a program revision application seeking authorization of changes to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended. On March 26, 2026, the EPA published both a direct final action granting Florida final authorization for revisions to its federally authorized hazardous waste program, along with a companion proposed rule announcing the EPA’s proposal to grant such final authorization. The EPA announced in both documents that the direct final action would become effective on May 26, 2026, unless adverse comments were received by April 27, 2026. Although the EPA received two comments during the public comment period, the EPA determined that the comments were not adverse. As a result, the direct final rule became effective on May 26, 2026. This action responds to the comments the EPA received.
Why this matters
State authorization under RCRA is the mechanism by which EPA delegates day-to-day hazardous waste permitting and enforcement to states, letting Florida’s revised rules operate in lieu of the federal program. Routine authorizations like this one keep state and federal requirements synchronized, avoiding dual regulatory regimes for waste generators, transporters, and treatment/storage/disposal facilities.