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Steam Electric Power Generating
EPA has completed a multi-year study of the Steam Electric Power Generating industry and, based on the results, has determined that revising the current effluent guidelines for the industry is warranted. EPA’s decision to revise the current effluent guidelines is largely driven by the high level of toxic-weighted pollutant discharges from coal fired power plants and the expectation that these discharges will increase significantly in the next few years as new air pollution controls are installed. Over the course of the study EPA has identified technologies that are available to significantly reduce these pollutant loads.
The current rule, which was promulgated in 1982, establishes effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) for new and existing discharges from the steam electric power generating industry. The regulation is at 40 CFR 423.
- What is Steam Electric Power Generating?
- Facilities Covered
- Detailed Study
- Proposed Information Collection Request
- Additional Information/Contacts
What is Steam Electric Power Generating?
Steam electric power generating is the process of generating electricity, in this case using nuclear or fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, to heat water to produce steam that turns a turbine to produce electricity.
Facilities Covered
The Steam Electric Power Generating effluent guidelines apply to a subset of the electric power industry, namely those plants “primarily engaged in the generation of electricity for distribution and sale which results primarily from a process utilizing fossil-type fuel (coal, oil, or gas) or nuclear fuel in conjunction with a thermal cycle employing the steam water system as the thermodynamic medium." (40 CFR Part 423.10)
Detailed Study
Information about data collected and findings of the EPA study of the Steam Electric Power Generating industry can be found in the final study report, “Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category: Final Detailed Study Report (PDF)” (233 pp., 7.5 MB; EPA 821-R-09-008).
- Includes data on the characteristics of wastewater from coal fired power plants;
- Identifies the wastewater treatment technologies reviewed;
- Presents an overview of the industry profile and predicted future trends in the use of air pollution controls; and
- Describes environmental impacts that have been linked to coal combustion wastewater.
Request for Comments on Proposed Information Collection Request for the Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines
EPA is proposing to conduct an Information Collection Request (ICR) to support the current rulemaking to revise the existing steam electric power generating industry ELG. The proposed ICR will collect data from the steam electric power generating industry regarding a wide range of industry operations. These data will be used to perform detailed technical and economic analyses that will support EPA’s rulemaking. The public will have 60 days after publication in the Federal Register to review and comment on the proposed ICR, including the survey design and questionnaires.
- Fact Sheet: Request for Comment on Proposed ICR for the Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines (October 2009)
- Federal Register notice (PDF) (3 pp, 52.9KB, About PDF) (October 29, 2009)
- Draft Questionnaire for the Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines (PDF) (170 pp., 1.30 MB, October 2009)
- Supporting Statement for Proposed Draft ICR (PDF) (59 pp., 491 KB, October 2009)
Additional Information/Contacts
For additional information regarding Steam Electric Power Generating effluent guidelines, please see Steam Electric contacts.