Which law regulates existing hazardous waste facilities in the US?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the law that regulates existing hazardous waste facilities in the United States. This legislation was enacted in 1976 to address the increasing problems of hazardous waste management and to protect human health and the environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal.

RCRA provides a framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. Under RCRA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to oversee the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste to ensure facilities are operating safely and in compliance with environmental standards. This includes a rigorous permitting process for hazardous waste facilities, as well as ongoing monitoring and compliance requirements. The law emphasizes waste minimization and encourages the conservation of resources.

In contrast, the other laws mentioned have different scopes and focus areas. For example, the Hazardous Waste Management Act primarily addresses state-level management of hazardous waste, while the Toxic Substances Control Act is focused on regulating chemical substances and mixtures. The Safe Drinking Water Act is concerned with the protection of drinking water quality and does not directly regulate hazardous waste facilities. Therefore, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act is the correct choice as it specifically governs hazardous waste management practices.