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EPA received petitions from the Utility Water Act Group and the U.S. Small Business Administration requesting reconsideration and an administrative stay of provisions of EPA's final rule titled "Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category," (80 FR 67838; November 3, 2015). After considering the petitions, the Administrator decided that it is appropriate and in the public interest to conduct a rulemaking that may result in revisions to the new, more stringent Best Available Technology Economically Achievable effluent limitations and pretreatment standards for existing sources in the 2015 rule that apply to bottom ash transport water and flue gas desulfurization wastewater. EPA does not intend in this rulemaking to revise the BAT effluent limitations or pretreatment standards in the 2015 rule for fly ash transport water, flue gas mercury control wastewater, gasification wastewater, or any of the other requirements in the 2015 rule. As part of the rulemaking process, EPA will provide notice and an opportunity for public comment on any proposed revisions to the 2015 final rule.

Statement of Need:

Under the Clean Water Act (‘‘CWA), EPA intends to undertake a rulemaking that may result in revisions to certain Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (‘‘BAT) effluent limitations and pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES) for the steam electric power generating point source category, which were published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2015.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

EPA intends to propose this rule under the authority of sections 101, 301, 304, 306, 307, 308, 402, and 501 of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1251, 1311, 1314, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1342, and 1361.

Alternatives:

The alternatives are to be determined.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

The associated costs and benefits for the regulatory options are to be determined.

Risks:

The associated risks are to be determined.