California can now run its own hazardous waste program, with federal approval

The US environmental regulators have approved California's updated hazardous waste rules. This means California can now enforce its own state-specific hazardous waste management program instead of relying on federal oversight for those changes.

States often update their environmental rules to match local conditions or new scientific understanding. When the US environmental regulators approve these changes, it means the state's rules are now legally equivalent to federal law. This allows California to manage its own hazardous waste permits and enforcement, which can make the process faster and more responsive to local needs.