Plain-English summary
Whether EPA-authorized territory programs can permit federal hazardous-waste facilities
This case asks whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may authorize a U.S. territory (here, Guam) to run a hazardous-waste permitting program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) that covers facilities operated by the federal government. The Air Force and other federal parties asked the Court to weigh in after the Ninth Circuit sided with local plaintiffs opposing federal operations under a territory-run program.
Why this matters
The case will determine who regulates hazardous-waste sites on federal property in territories: federal agencies under federal-only permits, or territorial authorities operating EPA-approved programs. The decision affects environmental protection, cleanup standards, and the balance between federal authority and local control, especially in U.S. territories where federal facilities are often among the largest landowners and employers.
Who may feel it
- Residents of U.S. territories (especially Guam)
- Federal agencies that operate hazardous-waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities
- State and territorial environmental regulators
- Local communities near federal facilities
- Businesses and contractors involved in hazardous-waste management