On May 2, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of availability and request for comment on a revision to DOE’s 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Interim Guidance on Packaging, Receipt, Management, and Long-Term Storage of Elemental Mercury.
Office of Environmental Management
May 30, 2023
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In accordance with the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is required to issue guidance on recommended standards and procedures for receipt, management, and long-term storage of elemental mercury, 42 U.S.C. § 6939f(d)(1). The Chemical Safety Act of 2016 provided for interim onsite storage of elemental mercury for certain generators, while awaiting availability of the DOE-designated Long-Term Elemental Mercury Storage Facility. It further required DOE to issue guidance on recommended standards and procedures for management and short-term onsite storage.
This draft guidance document was developed by DOE after consultation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the U.S. Department of Transportation and is a revision to the previous guidance issued by DOE. Once finalized, it will supersede and replace the previous guidance.