National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System-Amendment of Final Regulations Addressing Cooling Water Intake Structures for New Facilities

EPA is proposing minor changes to EPA's final rule implementing section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for new facilities that use water withdrawn from rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, oceans or other waters of the United States for cooling purposes published December 18, 2001. The December 2001 rule established national technology-based performance requirements applicable to the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures at new facilities. The national requirements establish the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact associated with the use of these structures. EPA is proposing several minor changes to the December 2001 rule because, in several instances, the Phase I final rule text does not reflect the Agency's intent.