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Effluent Limitations Guidelines
Iron and Steel Manufacturing Point Source Category
Final Amendments
EPA 821-F-05-012; Fact Sheet; December 2005
EPA published a final rule to change the effluent guidelines for the Iron and Steel Manufacturing Industry. The Agency restored the provision that allows the use of alternative oil and grease limitations in NPDES permits and corrected errors in the effective dates of new source performance standards for this industry.
- Background
- About the Final Rule
- Environmental Benefits and Cost
- For More Information
- Federal Register Notice (December 13, 2005)
Background
In October 2002, EPA promulgated an amendment to the iron and steel regulation. This amendment, among other things, changed the scope of the water bubble provision to exclude oil and grease trading. At that time, the Agency was concerned about the differences in the types of oil and grease used among iron and steel operations. The water bubble offers regulatory flexibility in allowing the iron and steel industry to trade identical pollutants within a mill that discharges into surface waters at more than one location. In response to a petition from the regulated community and upon further review, on August 10, 2005, the Agency proposed several minor changes that allow oil and grease trading subject to the restriction described below.
About the Final Rule
The final rule restores the provision authorizing alternative oil and grease limitations for iron and steel mills that discharge into surface waters at more than one location.
The changes to the rule prohibit the trading of oil and grease discharged form sintering operations unless the alternative limitations are more stringent than the October 2002 rule.
This is in addition to the October 2002 regulation that already contains a restriction applying to the trading of any pollutant, including oil and grease. Cokemaking process wastewater trading is prohibited unless the alternative limitations are more stringent than the current rule.
Finally, the amendment corrects a date for new source performance standards that was incorrectly transcribed from the version signed by the Administrator in 2002.
Environmental Benefits and Cost of the Final Rule
EPA anticipates no changes in environmental benefits and compliance costs as a result of this action.
For More Information
For more information, please contact the program manager for Iron &Steel. You can also learn more about this amendment by visiting EPA's Iron and Steel Web site.