Public Comment Period for Draft RCRA Operating Permit

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to review and comment on a draft Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Operating Permit for the Equistar Chemicals, LP facility, located at 3400 Anamosa Road, Clinton, IA 52732. The 45-day public comment period runs from May 1, 2018, to June 15, 2018.

BACKGROUND

The facility is a major producer of both ethylene and polyethylene.  In the ethylene plant, liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) are separated into ethylene feedstock and other materials. Ethylene is used to produce both low- and high-density polyethylene. Both products are solidified, extruded and pelletized for ease of storage and handling. Hazardous wastes are generated from manufacturing operations.

The facility has applied to EPA for a RCRA permit to operate a container storage unit to store hazardous wastes. In addition, a remedy has been selected that requires inspection, maintenance and repair of the process sewer lines, so that release of chemicals does not occur from these lines.

HAZARDOUS WASTES GENERATED

The hazardous wastes generated at the facility are primarily hazardous, because they exhibit the hazardous waste characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, and/or toxicity (for benzene). Smaller quantities of other hazardous wastes are generated from maintenance and laboratory operations. The minor types include reactive or toxic due to metals or other organics; unused or contaminated commercial products; specific listed wastes; and/or combinations of the preceding types.

CONTAINER STORAGE

The hazardous wastes will be stored, prior to off-site management, at one container storage area located near the center of the facility. The container storage area consists of two flexible, plastic berm structures that lie on top of an 80-by-100-foot concrete pad. The entire area is covered by a roof that minimizes precipitation accumulation. The berm structures are each 30 by 40 feet in dimension, with a surrounding 1-foot berm supported by a flexible hinge system. The holding capacity of each berm system is 8,900 gallons. The facility will remove all hazardous waste and hazardous constituents from the permitted unit at the time of closure. The intended capacity of the storage area is a maximum of 15,000 gallons (approximately 270 55-gallon drums).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The public is encouraged to review and comment on the draft RCRA Operating Permit for the Equistar Chemicals, LP facility.  These documents are contained in the Administrative Record, and are available during normal business hours at the following locations:

Clinton Public Library
306 8th Avenue S
Clinton, IA 52732
1-563-242-8441

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Office
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
1-515-725-8307

EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
1-800-223-0425

• Explain your views.
• Tell us if you support or disagree with the permit conditions. Please be specific.
• Provide alternatives if you disagree with the permit conditions.

A formal public hearing has not been scheduled, but will be held if there is sufficient public interest. Requests for a public hearing must be made in writing to Mary Grisolano at the address listed below, and must state the nature of issues to be raised at the hearing. EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal hearing, if it finds that a hearing will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the cleanup remedy. Comments or requests should be submitted by June 15, 2018.

EPA will issue a final RCRA Operating Permit to Equistar only after the public comment period ends and all comments are reviewed. EPA may modify the permit based on any new information and comments from the public.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you want to submit a comment in writing or request a public hearing, please contact:

If you have questions or want to receive a copy of the Administrative Record or further information, please contact:

Tamara Freeman
Community Engagement Specialist
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: freeman.tamara@epa.gov