The EPA is considering revising certain regulations limiting wastewater from fossil fuel-powered energy-generating facilities.
Late last month, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the agency’s intent to update the 2024 Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs) for Steam Electric Power Generating Units.
On March 12, Administrator Lee Zeldin announced EPA would reconsider 2024 pollution limits for coal power plants. This summer, EPA intends to take the next step to advance this action by proposing to extend compliance deadlines for many of the zero-discharge requirements in the 2024 Rule and the deadline for facilities to decide whether to submit a Notice of Planned Participation. EPA also intends to explore other flexibilities to promote reliable and affordable power generation.
This initial rulemaking will also seek additional information on zero-discharge technologies, including cost and performance data. This information will help EPA determine whether to move forward with a second rulemaking to address zero-discharge technologies and other flexibilities to ensure the U.S. electric utilities can better meet projected energy demand over the next decade. The scope of this second rulemaking could also address unmanaged combustion residual leachate, another type of wastewater.
Background:
EPA reviewed existing regulations and identified the 2024 Steam Electric ELG Rule as a potential burden on energy resources. The 2024 Rule imposes stringent requirements on certain wastewaters from facilities, requiring facilities not to discharge any pollutants from certain types of industrial wastewaters. These types of requirements are known as zero-discharge requirements.
Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs) are national industry-specific wastewater regulations based on the performance of demonstrated wastewater treatment technologies (often called “technology-based limits”). They are intended to represent the greatest pollutant reductions that are economically achievable for an entire industry and are incorporated into permits designed to be protective of human health and environmental quality.
Steam electric facilities use fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) or nuclear reactions to heat water in boilers, which generates steam. The steam is used to drive turbines connected to electric generators. These facilities may generate wastewater in the form of chemical pollutants and thermal pollution from their water treatment, power cycle, ash handling and air pollution control systems, and other sources.
Impact on Maryland:
While many of the coal-fired plants in Maryland have been retired, the state still has energy facilities that utilize natural gas and nuclear power. This action from the EPA would only weaken federal regulations; current state regulations are likely to remain intact. Increasingly, Maryland and other states have been filling in areas where the federal government has weakened environmental policy. Depending on how far the EPA cuts its current requirements, state officials may look to restore certain provisions at the state level.
Read more about the current Steam Electric Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards.
