Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines - 2024 Final Rule
The EPA finalized the 2024 Final Rule to strengthen certain discharge limitations in the Steam Electric Power Generating category (40 CFR Part 423).
On this page:
- Rule Summary
- 2024 Final Rule Implementation Briefings
- 2024 Final Rule Documents
- 2023 Proposed Supplemental Rule and Direct Final Rule
- Related Rulemakings
- Additional Information
Rule Summary
The EPA is strengthening the wastewater discharge standards that apply to coal-fired power plants. The EPA followed the latest science and applied its authority under the Clean Water Act to reduce discharges of toxic metals and other pollutants from these power plants into waterbodies. The rule will help protect our nation’s vital water resources that support safe drinking water, agriculture, industry, recreation activities, and thriving communities.
The rule establishes more stringent discharge standards for three wastewaters generated at coal fired power plants: flue gas desulfurization wastewater, bottom ash transport water, and combustion residual leachate. The rule also establishes a new set of definitions and establishes new effluent limitations for various legacy wastewaters, which may be present in surface impoundments.
Coal-fired power plants discharge wastewater containing pollutants into our nation’s waters. The discharges include toxic and bioaccumulative pollutants such as selenium, mercury, arsenic, and nickel, halogen compounds such as bromide, chloride, and iodide, nutrients, and total dissolved solids. These pollutants can contaminate drinking water sources, recreational waters, and aquatic life. In people, health risks may include cancer and non-cancer effects and, in children, lowered IQs. In fish and wildlife, the pollutants may cause deformities and reproductive harm. Many of these pollutants can remain in the environment for years.
The EPA estimates that the regulation will reduce pollutants discharged through wastewater from coal-fired power plants by approximately 660 million to 672 million pounds per year. The EPA’s wastewater discharge limits will foster less polluting electricity generation that supports clean air, healthy lands, and safe water for communities. The health and environmental protections of this action will especially benefit low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by pollution from coal-fired power plants.
2024 Final Rule Implementation Briefings
The EPA hosted two online briefings for the public to provide an overview of the 2024 Final Rule, including the waste streams covered by the regulations, corresponding limitations, and technology basis. These online briefings were offered on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 and Wednesday, July 17, 2024 . The briefings were conducted online only and included a question-and-answer period.
2024 Final Rule Documents
- Final Rule - Federal Register Notice (May 9, 2024)
- Fact Sheet - Final Rule: Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Category (pdf)
- News Release (April 25, 2024)
- Support documents:
- Technical Development Document for Final Supplemental Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category (pdf)
- Environmental Assessment for Final Supplemental Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category (pdf)
- Benefit and Cost Analysis for Supplemental Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category (pdf)
- Regulatory Impact Analysis for Supplemental Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category (pdf)
- User Guide to the Docket for the Final Supplemental Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category (pdf)
Documents related to the rulemaking are available at regulations.gov. The Docket Number is EPA-HQ-OW-2009-0819.
For assistance in reading these documents, please contact EPA staff listed in the Additional Information section.
2023 Proposed Supplemental Rule and Direct Final Rule
- Proposed Rule - Federal Register Notice (March 29, 2023)
- Direct Final Rule - Federal Register Notice (March 29, 2023)
Related Rulemakings
- Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities (under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)
- Greenhouse Gas Standards and Guidelines for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants (under the Clean Air Act)
-
Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (under the Clean Air Act)
Additional Information
For additional technical information about the rule, please contact Richard Benware (benware.richard@epa.gov) or 202-566-1369. For economic information, please contact James Covington (covington.james@epa.gov) or 202-566-1034.