July 30, 2026
Upcoming Changes to the RCRA Regulations
EPA’s 2026 regulatory agenda has been released. The following table summarizes the agency’s Office of Land and Emergency Management’s (OLEM) plans for proposing and finalizing new regulations. Among other things, OLEM is responsible for crafting RCRA regulations. The table is not all-inclusive of every OLEM regulatory action. Instead, it includes those actions McCoy and Associates believe to be of broad interest to the waste management regulated community.
2026 OLEM Regulatory Agenda
Rule description | Action | Schedule date |
|---|---|---|
Updates to RCRA permitting and technical corrections | NPRM | 7/26 |
CCR Disposal—alternative closure requirement deadline extension | Final Rule | 7/26 |
CCR Disposal—federal permit program | Final Rule | 7/26 |
Universal waste regulations for solar panels and lithium batteries | NPRM | 8/26 |
CCR Disposal—legacy/CCR management unit amendments | Final Rule | 9/26 |
Revisions to standards for the OB/OD of waste explosives | Final Rule | 10/26 |
Reducing requirements for vessels in the offshore energy sector | NPRM | 12/26 |
Paper manifest sunset | Final Rule | 1/27 |
Listing nine PFAS as RCRA hazardous constituents | Final Rule | 1/27 |
CCR = coal combustion residues; NPRM = notice of proposed rulemaking; OB/OD = open burning/open detonation.
Source: EPA’s 2026 regulatory agenda.
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Considerable care has been exercised in preparing this document; however, McCoy and Associates, Inc. makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with the publication of this information. McCoy and Associates, Inc. expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any federal, state, or municipal law or regulation with which this information may conflict. McCoy and Associates, Inc. does not undertake any duty to ensure the continued accuracy of this information.
This document addresses issues of a general nature related to the federal environmental regulations. Persons evaluating specific circumstances dealing with the environmental regulations should review state and local laws and regulations, which may be more stringent than federal requirements. In addition, the assistance of a qualified professional should be enlisted to address any site-specific circumstances.
