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<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-06-09-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>2040-AF14</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>201210</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>2040</CODE>
            <NAME>Water</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>WATER</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>2000</CODE>
            <NAME>Environmental Protection Agency</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>EPA</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[EPA establishes national technology-based regulations, called effluent limitations guidelines and standards, to reduce discharges of pollutants from industries to waters of the U.S. These requirements are incorporated into National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharge permits issued by EPA and States and through the national pretreatment program. The steam electric effluent guidelines apply to steam electric power plants using nuclear or fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. There are about 1,200 nuclear- and fossil-fueled steam electric power plants nationwide; approximately 500 of these power plants are coal-fired. In a study completed in 2009, EPA found that the current regulations, which were last updated in 1982, do not adequately address the pollutants being discharged and have not kept pace with changes that have occurred in the electric power industry over the last three decades. Power plant discharges can have impacts on water quality, including reduced organism abundance and species diversity and contamination of drinking water sources. Pollutants of concern include metals (e.g., mercury, arsenic, and selenium), nutrients, and total dissolved solids.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Economically Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>Yes</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>Undetermined</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>40 CFR 423 (revision)</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>33 USC 1311</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>33 USC 1314</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>33 USC 1316</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>33 USC 1317</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>33 USC 1318</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>33 USC 1342</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>33 USC 1361</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST>
            <LEGAL_DLINE_INFO>
                <DLINE_TYPE>Judicial</DLINE_TYPE>
                <DLINE_ACTION_STAGE>Final</DLINE_ACTION_STAGE>
                <DLINE_DATE>04/19/2013</DLINE_DATE>
                <DLINE_DESC>4/19/2013 - Consent Decree deadline for Final Action - Defenders of Wildlife v. Jackson, 10-1915, D. D.C.</DLINE_DESC>
            </LEGAL_DLINE_INFO>
            <LEGAL_DLINE_INFO>
                <DLINE_TYPE>Judicial</DLINE_TYPE>
                <DLINE_ACTION_STAGE>NPRM</DLINE_ACTION_STAGE>
                <DLINE_DATE>12/14/2012</DLINE_DATE>
                <DLINE_DESC>Consent Decree</DLINE_DESC>
            </LEGAL_DLINE_INFO>
        </LEGAL_DLINE_LIST>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>Yes</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <RPLAN_INFO>
            <STMT_OF_NEED><![CDATA[As described, EPA determined the existing regulations do not adequately address the pollutants being discharged and that revisions are appropriate.]]></STMT_OF_NEED>
            <LEGAL_BASIS><![CDATA[Section 301(b)(2) of the Clean Water Act requires EPA to promulgate effluent limitations for categories of point sources, using technology-based standards, that govern the sources' discharge of certain pollutants. 33 USC Section 1311(b). Section 304(b) of the Act directs EPA to develop effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) that identify certain technologies and control measures available to achieve effluent reductions for each point source category, specifying factors to be taken into account in identifying those technologies and control measures. 33 U.S.C. Section 1314(b). Since the 1970s, EPA has formulated effluent limitations and ELGs in tandem through a single administrative process. Am. Frozen Food Inst. v. Train, 539 F.2d 107 (D.C. Cir. 1976). The CWA also requires EPA to perform an annual review of existing ELGs and to revise them, if appropriate. 33 U.S.C. Section 1314(b); see also 33 U.S.C. Section 1314(m)(1)(A). EPA originally established effluent limitations and guidelines for the steam electric generating industry in 1974 and last updated them in 1982. 47 Fed. Reg. 52,290 (Nov. 19, 1982).]]></LEGAL_BASIS>
            <ALTERNATIVES><![CDATA[To be determined.]]></ALTERNATIVES>
            <COSTS_AND_BENEFITS><![CDATA[To be determined.]]></COSTS_AND_BENEFITS>
            <RISKS><![CDATA[To be determined.]]></RISKS>
        </RPLAN_INFO>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>04/00/2013</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Final Rule</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>04/00/2014</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <ADDITIONAL_INFO>Docket #:EPA-HQ-OW-2009-0819</ADDITIONAL_INFO>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>Undetermined</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>Undetermined</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>Undetermined</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>Undetermined</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <FURTHER_INFO_URL>http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/guide/steam_index.cfm</FURTHER_INFO_URL>
        <NAICS_LIST>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>221112</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
            <NAICS>
                <NAICS_CD>221113</NAICS_CD>
                <NAICS_DESC>Nuclear Electric Power Generation</NAICS_DESC>
            </NAICS>
        </NAICS_LIST>
        <PRINT_PAPER>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>No</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Ronald</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Jordan</LAST_NAME>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2040</CODE>
                    <NAME>Office of Water</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>OW</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 566-1003</PHONE>
                <FAX>202 566-1053</FAX>
                <EMAIL>jordan.ronald@epamail.epa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>Mail Code 4303T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20460</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Jezebele</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Alicea</LAST_NAME>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2040</CODE>
                    <NAME>Office of Water</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>OW</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 566-1755</PHONE>
                <FAX>202 566-1053</FAX>
                <EMAIL>alicea.jezebele@epamail.epa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>Mail Code 4303T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20460</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
