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EPA/WATER | RIN: 2040-AB79 | Publication ID: Fall 2000 |
Title: Effluent Guidelines and Standards for the Metal Products and Machinery Category, Phases 1 and 2 | |
Abstract: EPA is developing effluent limitations guidelines for facilities that generate wastewater while processing metal parts; metal products; and machinery, including manufacture, assembly, rebuilding, repair, and maintenance. A proposed rule in 1995 covered seven industrial groups: aircraft, aerospace, hardware, ordnance, stationary industrial equipment, mobile industrial equipment, and electronic equipment. EPA has consolidated this rulemaking with a second phase, and coverage will include additional industrial groups such as: bus and truck, household equipment, instruments, motor vehicles, office machines, precious metals and jewelry, railroads, job shops, printed circuit boards, and ships and boats. The deadlines and timetable apply to the consolidated Phase 1 and 2 rulemaking. | |
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) | Priority: Economically Significant |
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda | Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage |
Major: Yes | Unfunded Mandates: Private Sector |
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 438 | |
Legal Authority: 33 USC 1311 CWA sec 301 33 USC 1314 CWA sec 304 33 USC 1316 CWA sec 306 33 USC 1317 CWA sec 307 33 USC 1317 CWA sec 308 33 USC 1317 CWA sec 402 33 USC 1361 CWA sec 501 |
Legal Deadline:
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Statement of Need: Only 25 percent of the facilities in this industry are currently regulated by national effluent limitations. Most of the industry has wastewater treatment that is inadequate, in terms of the best available technology. Those facilities that do have wastewater treatment designed those systems to meet effluent limits established by EPA over 20 years ago. The proposed MP&M limitations are based on technologies that achieve much lower levels of pollutants -- for example, an 80 percent reduction in cyanide and chromium. |
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Summary of the Legal Basis: The Clean Water Act requires EPA to establish effluent limitations guidelines and standards to limit the pollutants discharged from point sources. In addition, EPA is bound by a provision in a consent decree entered in settlement of Natural Resources Defense Council et al. v. Reilly (D.D.C. No. 89-2980) to propose regulations for this industry by October 2000. |
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Alternatives: The Clean Water Act directs EPA to establish a technology basis for the effluent guidelines. Limitations are based on the performance of specific technology levels, such as the best available technology economically achievable. EPA is considering a range of pollution control technologies and is also considering flow exemptions to reduce the impact on small dischargers. |
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Anticipated Costs and Benefits: EPA expects effluent reduction benefits from more than 10,000 facilities. The estimated cost of the proposed rule is $1.9 billion, including operating and maintenance costs and annualized capital costs. For more than half of the facilities, the costs are less than $50,000 per facility. Higher costs are concentrated among a small segment of the industry. Estimated annual benefits range from $1.0 billion to $2.5 billion. These monetized benefits include health benefits (reduction in cancer and other illness), recreational benefits, and administrative savings from reduced pollutant loadings in biosolids. |
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Risks: EPA estimates that compliance with this regulation will reduce the annual discharge of conventional pollutants by at least 115 million pounds, priority pollutants by 12 million pounds, and non-conventional metal and organic pollutants by 43 million pounds. These reductions represent significant improvements in water quality. The amounts are substantial in terms of point source controls. |
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Timetable:
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Additional Information: SAN No. 2806 For more information on Metal Products and Machinery on the Internet, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/ost/guide/mpm/ index.html | |
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes | Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State |
Small Entities Affected: Businesses | Federalism: No |
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes | |
Sectors Affected: 332 Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing; 333 Machinery Manufacturing; 334 Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing; 335 Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component Manufacturing; 336 Transportation Equipment Manufacturing; 337 Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing; 339 Miscellaneous Manufacturing | |
Agency Contact: Shari Barash Environmental Protection Agency Water Mail Code 4305T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460 Phone:202 566-0996 Fax:202 566-1053 Email: barash.shari@epa.gov Mike Ebner Environmental Protection Agency Water 4303, Washington, DC 20460 Phone:202 260-5397 Fax:202 260-7185 Email: ebner.michael@epa.gov |