US SB3879

Requires the EPA to exempt facilities that recover vanadium and other critical minerals from spent petroleum catalyst (EPA Hazardous Waste Nos. K171 and K172) from Boilers and Industrial Furnaces (BIF) requirements under the Solid Waste Disposal Act

Exemption covers thermal treatment units (roasters) that process spent catalyst into intermediate products and metallurgical units (furnaces, hydrometallurgical units) that reclaim metals from the catalyst

Clarifies that the transfer-based exclusion under 40 CFR 261.4(a)(24) applies when spent petroleum catalyst is sent to third parties for metals reclamation

Final rule takes effect immediately upon publication in the Federal Register and bypasses standard notice and comment requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act

Aims to increase domestic vanadium supply for high-strength steel used in defense, infrastructure, and energy sectors, reducing dependence on foreign sources such as China and Russia