EPA makes final revisions to effluent guidelines for steam electric plants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made final revisions to effluent guidelines and standards for “steam electric” power plants.
The final rule revises requirements concerning flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater and bottom ash (BA) transport water. Specifically, it changes the technology-basis for treatment of FGD wastewater and BA transport water; establishes new compliance dates; revises the voluntary incentives program for FGD wastewater, and adds new subcategories for high-flow units, low-utilization units, and those that will cease the combustion of coal by 2028.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the changes will save the U.S. power sector approximately $140 million annually while reducing pollution by nearly a million pounds per year.
“Newer, more affordable pollution control technologies and flexibility on the regulation’s phase-in will reduce pollution and save jobs at the same time,” Wheeler said.
Under the Clean Water Act, EPA establishes regulations on industrial wastewater dischargers, known as Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Pretreatment Standards (ELGs). These regulations are technology-based and limit wastewater discharges into surface waters and wastewater treatment plants. In 2015, the EPA issued a rule that established new ELGs for the nation’s steam electric power plants. That rule was challenged in court, and ultimately the EPA agreed to reconsider the ELGs for these two waste streams.
The EPA considered input from a broad variety of stakeholders and considered a wide range of data and input in developing the final rule.
The changes were praised by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), an association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies.
“EEI appreciates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revising the technical requirements imposed on steam electric power generation facilities under the Clean Water Act,” Quin Shea, EEI’s vice president for environment, natural resources, and occupational safety & health, said. “The revisions provide environmental protections in a technologically and economically achievable manner, which is critical to EEI member companies’ ability to continue providing reliable, affordable, and clean energy to U.S. homes and businesses. EEI member companies invest more than $110 billion annually to make the energy grid stronger, cleaner, smarter, more resilient, and more secure. We look forward to working with EPA and other stakeholders to implement this key rulemaking.”
