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THE JOURNAL - AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION BY THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
AUGUST 2026 | WWW.ALASKAMINERS.ORG
In historic move, EPA authorizes Alaska to administer federal hazardous waste program BY WILL LESCHPER
T he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in late July granted Alaska final authorization to admin- ister the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle C hazardous waste management program. The milestone follows a four-year effort under Gov. Mike Dunleavy's administration and collaboration among the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), EPA Region 10, the Alaska Department of Law, Tribal part- ners, industry and dedicated state and federal staff. Alaska is the 49th state to administer its own hazardous waste program and the first in more than 25 years to receive ini- tial RCRA Subtitle C authorization. The program establish- es requirements governing the generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. EPA Region 10 Administrator Emma Pokon said the authorization empowers the state to incorporate local expertise into environmental protection. “Alaska DEC has a number of programs that they've already implemented, including the solid waste program that it has been handling for a number of years. It has had great success, especially in building relationships with smaller communities around the state and improving practices. Assuming the hazardous waste program was a landmark milestone and the next step in passing the baton in bringing more programs under state control,” Pokon said. “The hazardous waste program is one of those regu- latory programs that really touches a lot of places and industries, and it provides cradle to grave regulation and management of waste that may pose a particular risk or hazard. It also means that the current state network of connections with industries throughout the state and with communities is going to bring value to the program as a whole and really streamline the implementation.” DEC has worked toward the milestone transfer of the hazardous waste program, creating a team to coordinate
the program along with state regulations. In addition, the state Legislature has made regular appropriations in budgets for the program, which is part of DEC’s Division of Environmental Health. Pokon said the new authoriza- tion also brings the likelihood of further federal funding for the program. “It has been gratifying to see the collaboration between each of the partners in this endeavor. The state has continued to show its capability in carrying out a host of other programs and permitting issues. State primacy has had sustained success in other areas and keeping the feedback loop on primacy close to home is invaluable. Having the ability for communities, especially those in remote areas, to connect with officials in the state provides more accessibility and accountability across the board,” Pokon said. Jon Jones, Environmental Protection Specialist and Senior RCRA Enforcement Inspector, said the state has demonstrated firsthand that the program is in good hands from the start. “I’ve shadowed state inspectors in the field and that morphed into me working with them directly," Jones said. "The DEC has definitely shown its ability to assume the responsibility of carrying out the environmental waste program and it’s been uplifting to see that collab- oration continuing forward.” Pokon and other federal officials recently toured a number of energy Alaska projects. She said the future is bright for the state’s role in providing a safe and secure domestic energy supply. “In touring different energy projects and boroughs, it’s clear there are a number of dynamics playing out for the betterment of Alaska. It’s good to see the optimism for prosperity within these projects and communities being counterbalanced with the continuation of effective environmental programs," Pokon said.
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