PCB Cleanup and Disposal Guidance in Memoranda Issued by EPA Headquarters

This page contains copies of memoranda issued by EPA headquarters (HQs) that contain guidance. While these memoranda were each directed to other EPA offices in response to a need for interpretation, the responses are broadly applicable to the regulated public. The interpretation presented in a given memorandum may have been partially superceded by subsequent rulemakings. However, memoranda that have been entirely superceded are not listed.

• EPA Commits to Public Comment for Commercial Storage and Disposal Approvals (pdf) (387.39 KB, 04/01/1995)
  This memo instructs all EPA Regions to commit to conducting public participation and public comment for all fixed-site commercial storage and disposal approvals.
• Recycling of Non-Metal Automobile Shredder Residue (ASR) (pdf) (145.19 KB, 03/22/2000)
  Response to EPA Region VIII regarding assumptions and practices for recycling of non-metal automobile shredder residue (ASR)
• Revisions to the PCB Question and Answer Manual (pdf) (2.29 MB, 09/2001)
  Revisions to the PCB Q and A Manual, September 2001 Version- a question was added about shredder waste.
• PCB Waste Management Policy for Brownfields Sites - Draft (pdf) (1.07 MB, 07/24/2003)
  Draft version of PCB waste management policy for brownfield sites
• Memo about Commercial Storers Acting as Transfer Facilities (pdf) (77.49 KB, 04/04/2005)
  Memo from EPA HQ to EPA Regions clarifying that utilities act as commercial storers without an approval if they are transfer facilities.
• Cleanup of Electrical Equipment from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (pdf) (540.86 KB, 11/09/2005)
  This memo assists the utility industry with useful information about management and storage of electrical equipment damaged by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
• Disassembly and Decontamination of PCB-Contaminated and PCB Transformers (pdf) (449.85 KB, 04/16/2007)
  This memo clarifies that the self-implementing decontamination provisions do not apply to intact PCB-Contaminated and PCB Transformer cores and that EPA requires approvals for disassembly of PCB transformers for decontamination.
• Policy Regarding Use of On-Site Disposal in Closure Cost Estimates (pdf) (670.41 KB, 05/01/2007)
  Policy Regarding Use of On-Site Disposal Methods When Calculating Financial Assurance Closure Cost Estimate
• Appropriate methods for making information and documents regarding title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 761 approvals available to the public (pdf) (66.91 KB, 07/17/2007)
  This memo describes the various methods Regions may use to notify the public about PCB approvals, including newspapers and webpages.
• Region 4 PCB Cleanup Guide for Environmental Professionals (pdf) (307.5 KB, December 2019)
  Guidance on the definition of PCB remediation waste, sampling, and regulatory options for PCB remediation waste cleanups.