Express Authorization Documents for State Hazardous Waste Programs

Express Authorization restructures what states provide to EPA in an authorization application for a set of state rules. Express Authorization places more emphasis on the EPA region and state partnership to tailor the documentation to satisfy the regulatory requirements of authorization. The models are based on approaches that some states have successfully used. While states are not required to follow the models and examples in Express Authorization, EPA believes that they will help many states and regions improve the authorization process. States and regions may modify these models to fit their particular circumstances.

The main component of Express Authorization is a new approach to the Attorney General's Statement (AGS). This change will affect other parts of a state's application. Instead of submitting a lengthy and complex AGS and regulatory checklists, states would prepare 1) a short AGS containing certifications and statements and 2) a statutory checklist to document the state's program authorities.

• Refer to the  Roadmap to Express Authorization (pdf) (53.17 KB)  for more information.

The below documents provide states and regions with the tools for preparing and reviewing the AGS and supporting documentation: 

• Implementation of the Express Authorization Process: January 27, 2003 Memo from Marianne Horinko (pdf) (50.63 KB, January 27, 2003)
  This document includes a memo announcing the Express Authorization initiative. Since the inception of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program, states and EPA Regions have expressed concerns regarding the substantial level of effort and length of time required to prepare, review and approve state applications for RCRA authorization. Although changes to the state authorization process have been made over the years, there is still room for improvement. Therefore, the Agency developed the Express Authorization initiative to make the authorization process more efficient.
• Express Authorization Questions and Answers: What is Generally the Content of a Program Revision Application? (pdf) (107.73 KB)