Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category

The Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA or the Agency) is proposing a regulation to revise the technology-based effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) for the steam electric power generating point source category applicable to flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater and bottom ash (BA) transport water. This proposal is estimated to save approximately $175 million dollars annually in pre-tax compliance costs and $137 million dollars annually in social costs as a result of less costly FGD wastewater technologies that could be used with the proposed relaxation of the Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines 2015 rule (the 2015 rule) selenium limitation; less costly BA transport water technologies made possible by the proposed relaxation of the 2015 rule's zero discharge limitations; a two-year extension of compliance timeframes for meeting FGD wastewater limits, and additional proposed subcategories for both FGD wastewater and BA transport water. EPA also believes that participation in the voluntary incentive program would further reduce the pollutants that these steam electric facilities discharge in FGD wastewater by approximately 105 million pounds per year.