---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 6947"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "6947"
heading: "Approval of State plan; Federal assistance"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/6947"
units:
  - "Chapter 82 — Solid Waste Disposal"
  - "Subchapter IV — State or Regional Solid Waste Plans"
---

# §6947. Approval of State plan; Federal assistance

- (a) **Plan approval—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall, within six months after a [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) plan has been submitted for approval, approve or disapprove the plan. The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall approve a plan if he determines that—
  - (1) it meets the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5) of [section 6943(a) of this title](/usc/42/6943.md?p=a); and
  - (2) it contains provision for revision of such plan, after notice and public hearing, whenever the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1), by regulation, determines—
    - (A) that revised regulations respecting minimum requirements have been promulgated under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5) of [section 6943(a) of this title](/usc/42/6943.md?p=a) with which the [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) plan is not in compliance;
    - (B) that information has become available which demonstrates the inadequacy of the plan to effectuate the purposes of this subchapter; or
    - (C) that such revision is otherwise necessary.

  The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall review approved plans from time to time and if he determines that revision or corrections are necessary to bring such plan into compliance with the minimum requirements promulgated under [section 6943 of this title](/usc/42/6943.md) (including new or revised requirements), he shall, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, withdraw his approval of such plan. Such withdrawal of approval shall cease to be effective upon the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1)’s determination that such complies with such minimum requirements.

- (b) **Eligibility of States for Federal financial assistance—**
  - (1) The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall approve a [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) application for financial assistance under this subchapter, and make grants to such [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31), if such [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) and local and [regional authorities](/usc/42/6903.md?p=25) within such [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) have complied with the requirements of [section 6946 of this title](/usc/42/6946.md) within the period required under such section and if such [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) has a [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) plan which has been approved by the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) under this subchapter.
  - (2) The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall approve a [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) application for financial assistance under this subchapter, and make grants to such [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31), for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 if the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) determines that the [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) plan continues to be eligible for approval under [subsection (a)](#a) and is being implemented by the [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31).
  - (3) Upon withdrawal of approval of a [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) plan under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall withhold Federal financial and technical assistance under this subchapter (other than such technical assistance as may be necessary to assist in obtaining the reinstatement of approval) until such time as such approval is reinstated.
- (c) **Existing activities—** Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prevent or affect any activities respecting [solid waste planning](/usc/42/6903.md?p=30) or management which are carried out by [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31), regional, or local authorities unless such activities are inconsistent with a [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31) plan approved by the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) under this subchapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–272, title II, § 4007, as added Pub. L. 94–580, § 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2817; amended Pub. L. 95–609, § 7(l), Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3082; Pub. L. 104–119, § 4(8), Mar. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 833.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a)(1), (2)(A). Pub. L. 104–119 substituted “section 6943(a) of this title” for “section 6943 of this title”.

1978—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–609 substituted “(c)” for “(C)” in subsection designation.

### Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain enforcement functions of Administrator or other official of Environmental Protection Agency under this chapter to Federal Inspector, Office of Federal Inspector for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, and subsequent transfer to Secretary of Energy, then to Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, see note set out under section 6903 of this title.