On January 21, 2016, the Board proposed amendments to the Board’s water permitting rules for second-notice review before the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The rulemaking, initiated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), is docketed as Water Pollution: Proposed Amendments to 35 Ill Adm. Code Part 309, (R15-24).

On January 21, 2016, the Board proposed amendments to the Board’s public water supply rules for second-notice review by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The rulemaking, initiated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), is docketed as Public Water Supplies: Proposed Amendments to 35 Ill. Adm. Code Parts 601, 602, and 603 (R15-22).

On March 3, 2016, the Board adopted proposed amendments to the Illinois hazardous waste regulations for public comment. The proposed amendments are “identical in substance” to amendments adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C (hazardous waste) regulations. The update includes several USEPA actions that occurred during the first half of 2015, as well as two subsequent USEPA actions (both occurring July 2, 2015). During that period, USEPA significantly amended the Definition of Solid Waste Rule as it relates to recycling and reclamation of hazardous secondary materials; removed the Syngas and Comparable Fuels exclusions, which a federal court vacated in 2014; expanded the Fossil Fuels exclusion from the definition of “hazardous waste” to include waste materials called “associated waste” from handling and combusting fossil fuels; and made various technical corrections.

On March 3, 2016, in docket R16-2, the Board adopted final amendments to Illinois’ ambient air quality standards that are “identical in substance” to revisions to the federal NAAQS adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The update includes three USEPA actions that occurred during the first half of 2015, as well as three subsequent USEPA actions. The amendments, among other things, remove the 1997 eight-hour NAAQS for ozone in response to USEPA’s adoption of the implementation rule for the 2008 eight-hour NAAQS for ozone. In addition, the amendments incorporate by reference various methods USEPA designated for monitoring ambient air quality for several priority pollutants: fine particulates (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, coarse particulates (PM10-2.5), and ozone. The Board’s action follows a federally required public hearing on the proposal via videoconference between the Board’s Chicago and Springfield offices held February 18, 2016.

On April 21, 2016, the Board proposed second-notice amendments to its procedural rules that will decrease the costs of conducting rulemakings and adjudicatory cases. At the same time, the amendments will increase opportunities for citizens to participate in these proceedings. The Board will achieve these objectives primarily by expanding uses of digital technology, including electronic filing, e-mail service, and videoconference hearings. The amendments will reduce travel, printing, copying, and paper mailings, while making it easier to review filings on-line and attend Board hearings. These benefits will inure to the public, the parties, and the Board. In addition, several clarifying amendments were proposed, including specifying how to calculate the timeframe for appealing final Board actions. The second-notice amendments will now be reviewed by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

On April 21, 2016, the Board adopted proposed amendments to its UST corrective action regulations for public comment. The proposed amendments are “identical in substance” (IIS) to federal UST amendments adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), but only to the extent they relate to corrective action requirements and are thus within the limited scope of the Board’s UST IIS mandate. Most of the USEPA updates, which concern operation and maintenance requirements, deferred systems, and other subjects, fall outside that mandate.

On April 7, 2016, the Board adopted an order amending the Board’s public water supply rules. The rulemaking, initiated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), is docketed as Public Water Supplies: Proposed Amendments to 35 Ill. Adm. Code Parts 601, 602, and 603 (R15-22). The amended rules became final upon filing with the Secretary of State.

On May 19, 2016, the Board took the next steps in its Digital Initiative, adopting final amendments to its procedural rules. The amended rules will increase the use of digital technology, including electronic filing, e-mail service, and videoconference hearings. The amendments will reduce travel, printing, copying, and paper mailings, while making it easier to review filings on-line and attend Board hearings. The amended rules took effect on May 20, 2016.

On May 19, 2016, the Board took another major step forward in its Digital Initiative, adopting final procedural rule amendments that will increase the use of electronic filing, e-mail service, and videoconference hearings. With these amendments, Board proceedings will generate less travel, printing, copying, and paper mailings. Plus, reviewing documents on-line and attending Board hearings will be easier than ever. The amended procedural rules took effect on May 20, 2016.

On June 16, 2016, the Board adopted amendments to the Illinois hazardous waste regulations. The amendments are “identical in substance” to amendments adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C (hazardous waste) regulations. The update includes several USEPA actions that occurred during the first half of 2015, as well as two subsequent USEPA actions (both occurring July 2, 2015). During that period, USEPA significantly amended the Definition of Solid Waste Rule as it relates to recycling and reclamation of hazardous secondary materials; removed the Syngas and Comparable Fuels exclusions, which a federal court vacated in 2014; expanded the Fossil Fuels exclusion from the definition of “hazardous waste” to include waste materials called “associated waste” from handling and combusting fossil fuels; and made various technical corrections.