Electric power generation, transmission and distribution are part of the utilities sector (NAICS 22). This sector includes all electric generating facilities powered by fossil fuels, including coal, petroleum, or gas as the power source.

Additional regulatory information about this sector may be available from the US Department of Energy.

Laws and Regulations

• Air:

  • Cleaner Power Plants: controlling mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from power plants.
  • Interstate Air Pollution Transport
  • National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): air toxics regulations:
    • Air Toxics Standards for Utilities
    • Benzene Waste Operations
    • Stationary Internal Combustion Engines, includes information about Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE)
    • Stationary Combustion Turbines
  • Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
  • Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS): Regulatory Actions

• Waste:

  • Industrial Waste: Fossil Fuel Combustion Waste

• Water:

  • Cooling Water Intake Structures: CWA §316(b): Final rules, court proceedings, and other documents related to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) rules for cooling water intake structures.
  • Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines

Compliance

• Combustion Portal Exit: compliance assistance center.
• Industrial Materials Recycling: Coal Combustion Products

Enforcement

• National Enforcement Initiatives:
  • Ensuring Energy Extraction Sector Compliance with Environmental Laws
  • Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources