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To stave off unwarranted power plant retirement decisions and maintain abundant and affordable electricity supply in a time of rising demand, the EPA is considering revising some of the existing requirements in the effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the Steam Electric Generating Point Source Category promulgated in 2024. The EPA intends that this rulemaking would potentially revise the limitations in the subcategory for discharges of unmanaged combustion residual leachate. The rulemaking may also seek to revise the technology bases for the 2024 rules zero-discharge limitations and standards, as well as re-evaluate existing compliance pathways.

Statement of Need:

Deadline extensions for industry-wide installation of zero-discharge limitations are needed to account for longer-than-expected timelines and delays in procuring necessary technology and completing installation. Deadline extensions are also warranted to ensure plants can continue operating to support grid reliability.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Secs. 301, 304(b), (c), (e), (g), and (i)(A) and (B), 306(b) and (c), 307(c), 308, 402, 501, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended 33 U.S.C. 1311, 1314(b), (c), (e), (g), and (i)(A) and (B), 1316(b) and (c), 1317(c), 1318, 1342, and 1361.

Alternatives:

The EPA is evaluating alternatives for this action.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

The EPA is evaluating the anticipated costs and benefits of this action.

Risks:

The EPA is evaluating the risks associated with this action.