{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.030212976721149084, 'fraction_numerical': 0.013868251609707775, 'mean_word_length': 5.253869969040248, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
EPA WATCH: Will new PCB rule reduce disposal costs?

A final rule offering more flexible disposal options for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) should save chemical manufacturers, the electric industry, and PCB waste handlers a minimum of $178 million annually, EPA said when it issued the rule in June {Federal Register, 1998, 63 (124) 35,383-35,474). An electric utility representative, however, said she is not sure EPA's cost savings estimates are realistic. "While [EPA] allows certain disposal alternatives that we haven't had in the past, we're not sure if people will be able to use those alternatives because we don't know what the reaction of disposal facilities will be," said Toni Allen, an attorney for the Utilities and Solid Waste Activities Group, which represents about 80 operating electric utilities and trade associations. The group filed a petition to appeal the rule in August, challenging the rule's ambiguities. The new rule addresses some 80 issues arid is considered deregulatory in nature because it contains decontamination procedures that allow the PCBs in certain products to be removed and disposed without requiring a permit from EPA. In addition, the agency will allow PCB waste to be handled at a wider range of facilities, giving PCB handlers more options. Likewise, wastes with low PCB concentrations—such as remediation wastes, automobile shredder fluff, and natural gas pipelines now can be disposed in municipal solid waste facilities. At a recent meeting, however, EPA officials acknowledged significant policy oversights in the rule. Environmentalists say the rule creates incentives for PCB handlers to dispose of the carcinogenic chemicals through deep well injection or burial rather than through dechlorination. "Our goal is to round up PCBs and destroy them in a way that doesn't create dioxins," said Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics. "Burying or burning them just creates new environmental problems." The rule took effect Aug. 28.