Overview
INEEL Technology and Engineering Center in Howe, Idaho, is an operational hazardous waste treatment facility. It manages industrial and military waste streams under US EPA RCRA regulations.
The INEEL Technology and Engineering Center is a hazardous waste treatment facility located in Howe, Butte County, Idaho, United States. It operates within the broader context of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) complex, serving as a key site for managing hazardous and mixed wastes from nuclear and industrial activities. The facility's location in a remote, arid region of southeastern Idaho provides natural isolation for waste treatment operations. As a hazardous waste treatment facility, it operates under the US EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C regulations, which govern the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. The facility's NAICS codes indicate involvement in military armored vehicle manufacturing (336992), research and development in nanotechnology (541715), hazardous waste treatment and disposal (562211), remediation services (562910), and environmental quality programs (924110). This diverse classification reflects the multi-faceted waste streams handled at the site. The facility plays a critical role in supporting the Idaho National Laboratory's environmental management mission, particularly in treating legacy wastes from nuclear research and defense activities. Its operational status ensures continued compliance with federal and state environmental standards, contributing to the protection of the Snake River Plain aquifer and surrounding ecosystems.
Environmental context
The facility is situated in the arid high desert of southeastern Idaho, an area characterized by low precipitation and deep vadose zones. This geology naturally limits groundwater contamination risk but requires careful leachate management for any liquid waste treatment. The proximity to the Idaho National Laboratory's nuclear facilities necessitates stringent monitoring for radiological contaminants. Regional air quality concerns are minimal due to low population density, though fugitive emissions from waste treatment processes are regulated under the Clean Air Act.
Frequently asked questions
The INEEL Technology and Engineering Center is located on Cleveland Boulevard in Howe, Butte County, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Idaho National Laboratory complex.
The facility treats hazardous and mixed wastes, including those from nuclear research, defense activities, and industrial processes. Its NAICS codes indicate involvement with military vehicle manufacturing, nanotechnology R&D, hazardous waste treatment, remediation, and environmental quality programs.
The facility operates under the US EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C, which sets standards for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal. It also complies with Clean Air Act regulations for emissions and state-level environmental requirements.
Environmental risks are managed through compliance with RCRA and Clean Air Act standards, including leachate monitoring, air emission controls, and groundwater protection measures. The arid location and deep vadose zone reduce groundwater contamination risk.
The facility supports the Idaho National Laboratory's environmental management mission by treating legacy and ongoing hazardous wastes. It ensures safe disposal and remediation, protecting the Snake River Plain aquifer and surrounding ecosystems.
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