Remote Waste Storage Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4856
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T18:12:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to allow longer onsite storage of hazardous waste in certain remote areas that lack year-round surface transportation access to treatment facilities.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 3001(d)(6) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6921(d)(6)).
- Adds language permitting hazardous waste generators to store waste onsite for up to 2 years if they lack year-round surface transportation access to a treatment, storage, or disposal facility.
- Requires that the storage must comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extends the allowable storage period beyond the current limits in the Solid Waste Disposal Act for qualifying remote locations.
- Creates a specific exception based on lack of year-round access, rather than applying a uniform national standard.
Potential Impacts
- May reduce the need for frequent hazardous waste shipments from isolated areas, lowering logistical costs for affected generators.
- Could alter waste management practices for government agencies responsible for enforcement, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Limited direct effects on international relations, as the changes focus on domestic remote locations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Hazardous waste generators in remote regions without year-round road access.
- The Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental agencies.
- Treatment, storage, and disposal facilities that serve remote areas.
- Communities and businesses in isolated parts of the United States.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Modifies federal hazardous waste rules under the Solid Waste Disposal Act without altering core constitutional authority over interstate commerce or environmental regulation.
- Applies only to generators meeting the remote-area criteria and maintaining full legal compliance.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Remote Waste Storage Act — issued 2026-06-23 — PDF (2 pages)