2040-AF12 201004 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 2040 Water WATER 2000 Environmental Protection Agency EPA Amendment to Effluent Guidelines for Primary Aluminum Smelting Subcategory of the Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing Point Source Category EPA plans to amend 40 CFR 421 to create updated discharge standards for those primary aluminum smelters that use both wet and dry scrubbing of their air emissions. As currently written, allowances exist for individual contributions to effluent discharges from a variety of processes present at primary aluminum smelter. These allowances include one for wastewater contributions resulting from the wet scrubbing of sulfur dioxide from potline emissions (40 CFR 421.23(n)). As the Agency continues to strengthen the regulation of air pollution from aluminum smelters, it is increasingly likely that higher wastewater pollutant concentrations from these wet scrubbers will result. The State of New York has identified a facility that exhibits just this problem with the discharge of fluoride, as a result of interference by sulfur captured by the facility’s wet scrubber. The extent of this problem is such that the facility is unable to comply with its fluoride effluent limit. An amendment of the current effluent guideline is expected to resolve this tension and make it easier for the Agency and regulated entities to manage cross-media effects. Substantive, Nonsignificant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No 40 CFR 421 CWA 301 CWA 304 CWA 306 CWA 307 CWA 308 CWA 501 No NPRM 06/00/2010 Final Action 06/00/2011 SAN No. 5362; EPA Docket information: EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0137. No No State No No No Ahmar Siddiqui 2040 Water WATER 202 566-1044 202 566-1053 Siddiqui.Ahmar@epamail.epa.gov 4303T, Washington DC 20460 Janet Goodwin 2040 Water WATER 202 566-1060 Goodwin.Janet@epamail.epa.gov 4303T, Washington DC 20460