Rulemaking for the Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Limitations Guidelines

EPA announced on September 15, 2009 the start of a rulemaking process to revise the effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the steam electric power generating point source category (i.e., steam electric power plants). EPA’s decision to proceed with a rulemaking was made upon reviewing the findings from a multi-year study of wastewater discharges from power plants.EPA’s review of wastewater discharges from power plants, and the treatment technologies available to reduce pollutant discharges, has demonstrated the need to update the current national effluent guidelines regulations. The current regulations, which were last updated in 1982, do not adequately address the pollutants being discharged and have not kept pace with changes that have occurred in the electric power industry over the last three decades.