EPA Seeks To Green Cleanup Of Hazardous Waste Sites

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment through Nov. 10 on the agency’s new strategy for cleaner remediation of Superfund sites. EPA says the strategy, released on Sept. 8, is an initial effort to outline key activities that will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts that might occur from processes and equipment used in cleaning up hazardous-waste sites. EPA says it intends to modify and refine the document, the culmination of a year’s worth of work by the agency’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, as more becomes known on the issue. The current version of the strategy outlines 10 key action items and recommends related activities to promote green cleanups. These include developing a list of tools that project managers can use to address air pollutants and diesel emissions, identifying pilot projects to evaluate and demonstrate green remediation applications, and developing a better understanding of the costs or savings associated with the use of green remediation strategies.