Alaska Becomes 49th State Authorized To Administer Federal RCRA Hazardous Waste Program

On July 29, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted Alaska final authorization to administer its hazardous waste management program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Alaska is the 49th state authorized to administer most aspects of the federal RCRA hazardous waste program and the first state in more than 25 years to receive initial authorization. Only Iowa (and U.S. territories) remain unauthorized under RCRA.

With authorization, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) assumes primary responsibility for implementing the authorized hazardous waste program in Alaska, including routine permitting, inspections, compliance assistance, and enforcement. Alaska's hazardous waste regulations are codified at 18 AAC Chapter 62.