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Republic Industrial and Energy Solutions LLC
Republic Industrial and Energy Solutions LLC
EGLE, MMD, is reopening the public comment period on the proposed renewal of a hazardous waste management facility operating license for the aboveground hazardous waste treatment and storage activities at RIES. The reopened public comment period runs from April 3, 2023, to May 3, 2023.
RIES is a hazardous waste storage and treatment facility located at 28470 Citrin Drive in Romulus, Michigan, near the intersection of Citrin Drive and Inkster Road. The facility is licensed to store hazardous waste in containers and tanks and to treat hazardous waste in tanks. A variety of liquid hazardous wastes are handled under the facility’s hazardous waste management operating license. Facility hazardous waste operations are required to be conducted indoors.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Materials Management Division (MMD), issued an initial hazardous waste management operating license to the facility on December 27, 2005, and subsequently renewed the license on September 26, 2011. When RIES purchased the facility, the license was transferred to the new owner, effective September 25, 2019.
The current license specifies the hazardous waste activities that can be performed at the facility. Part 111, Hazardous Waste Management, of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, and the administrative rules promulgated thereunder; and the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended (RCRA) and the corresponding regulations provide enforceable standards for hazardous waste management, from generation to disposal, specify how the facility must operate to protect human health and the environment, and identify EGLE’s authorities in licensing and overseeing facility operations.
Contact
Ronda Blayer
BlayerR@Michigan.gov
517-614-2630
License and Renewal Information
Hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities are highly regulated, highly engineered facilities, with extensive design and oversight requirements. The hazardous waste rules prescribe the standards that must be met in any license action taken by EGLE, including, in part: waste analysis, training, inspections, preparedness and prevention, contingency and closure planning, recordkeeping and reporting, engineering, waste management, environmental monitoring, corrective action, financial assurance, and air emission standards.
EGLE issues 10-year hazardous waste management licenses in accordance with state and federal laws. To reissue a license, EGLE's review must conclude the facility:
- Submitted a sufficiently detailed application to evaluate the operations and potential for human health or environmental impacts.
- Satisfies all technical design, construction, and operating standards per governing regulations.
- Does not present a hazard to human health or the environment, as determined by EGLE inspections and compliance with applicable environmental regulations.
RIES submitted a license renewal application on April 28, 2021, before the September 26, 2021, expiration date of its current license, allowing the facility to continue operating under its current license until final action is taken on the renewal application. EGLE, MMD, has reviewed the renewal application and determined it to be administratively complete and technically adequate. EGLE, MMD hereby gives notice of its intent to issue a renewal license to RIES. The application, fact sheet, and draft license are available electronically, and in hard copy at the following three locations:
- EGLE, MMD, 525 West Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48909 (contact Vickie Terry; 517-284-6546, TerryV@Michigan.gov).
- EGLE, MMD, Warren District Office, 27700 Donald Court, Warren, MI 48092 (contact Todd Zynda; 586-206-1640, ZyndaT@Michigan.gov).
- Romulus Public Library, 11121 Wayne Rd, Romulus, MI 48174 (contact 734-942-7589).
Public Involvement
EGLE invites comment on the draft license. Comments on the draft license should be sent to Ronda L. Blayer, at BlayerR@Michigan.gov, or EGLE, MMD, Hazardous Waste Section, P.O. Box 30241, Lansing, Michigan 48909. Written comments on the draft license should include the name, address, and email of the writer; a concise statement of the basis for the comments; and the supporting relevant facts upon which the comments are based. Written comments must be postmarked no later than May 3, 2023.
Before issuing a final decision, EGLE will evaluate all comments received. Information regarding the final decision on the draft license will be provided to all persons who submit timely written comments or are on the facility mailing list. EGLE will respond to all significant comments on the draft license, and explain any changes made thereto.
Background Information
EGLE, MMD, conducts oversight of the hazardous waste operations at the facility, conducting inspections at least four times per year. Inspections are typically unannounced and performed to verify the operations meet the license requirements. Although the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) does not permit the facility‘s aboveground hazardous waste operations, they may also conduct inspections to verify compliance with pertinent regulations. The facility has two hazardous waste underground injection wells onsite which are permitted separately at the federal level by the U.S. EPA, are subject to different federal and state requirements, and are not the subject of this renewal license application.
How to Stay Connected
To be placed on the official RIES facility mailing list to receive required notifications from both EGLE and RIES, please send a written request to Ronda L. Blayer, Environmental Engineering Specialist, at BlayerR@Michigan.gov; or EGLE, MMD, P.O. Box 30241, Lansing, Michigan 48909 7741. Additionally, to receive periodic updates from EGLE on the RIES facility via email, go to Michigan.gov/EGLEConnect and subscribe to the Republic Industrial & Energy Solutions, LLC (RIES) Hazardous Waste Facility list.
Through your observations and reporting of activities of concern, you play a valuable role in helping EGLE protect human health and the environment. To file a complaint or share details about improper waste handling or disposal, contact EGLE through the Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) Hotline at 800-292-4706.
EGLE does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, disability, political beliefs, height, weight, genetic information, or sexual orientation in the administration of any of its programs or activities, and prohibits intimidation and retaliation, as required by applicable laws and regulations.