EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold two virtual public hearings beginning Tuesday night on the proposed federal hazardous waste management permit for Heritage Thermal Services Inc., a commercial hazardous waste incinerator facility in East Liverpool.

The permit sets air emission standards for equipment leaks, tanks, containers, and an extruder unit at the facility.

The EPA says the proposed permit does not address Heritage's commercial hazardous waste incinerator or other waste management activities. Those issues are covered under a separate permit issued by the Ohio EPA in 2019.

To comply with current COVID-19 social distancing guidance, EPA will host an online public hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, and a telephone conference hearing at 6 p.m. EST on Jan. 14. The EPA says it will share the same information during both sessions.

During the online public hearing on Jan. 12, people can ask questions and make comments in writing regarding the proposed permit.

During the telephone conference hearing, the public will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments.

Topics related to other hazardous waste management activities at the Heritage site will not be discussed during the virtual public hearings, according to the EPA.

To access the virtual public hearings:

Jan. 14, 6 p.m. EST; through conference line, accessible at 312-667-5632, conference code 1344648.

Attending a public hearing is not required to make a comment on the proposed permit for the record. Comments can be submitted until Jan. 20, 2021, by mail or email to: Jae Lee, Project Manager, lee.jae@epa.gov, U.S. EPA Region 5, Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division (mail code LL-17J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604.