Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines

 Proposed Rule (April 2013)

EPA promulgated the Steam Electric Power Generating effluent guidelines and standards (40 CFR Part 423) in 1974, and amended the regulation in 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1982. The regulation covers wastewater discharges from power plants operating as utilities.  The Agency is currently developing revisions to the regulation.  The Steam Electric effluent guidelines and standards are incorporated into NPDES permits.

• What is Steam Electric Power Generating?
• Facilities Covered
• Amendment
• Background Documents
• Rulemaking History
• Additional Information

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What is Steam Electric Power Generating?

Steam electric plants use nuclear or fossil fuels (such as coal, oil and natural gas) to heat water in boilers, which generates steam. The steam is used to drive turbines connected to electric generators. The plants generate wastewater in the form of chemical pollutants and thermal pollution (heated water) from their water treatment, power cycle, ash handling and air pollution control systems, as well as from coal piles, yard and floor drainage, and other miscellaneous wastes.

These activities are included within the following North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes:

• 221112 – Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
• 221113 – Nuclear Electric Power Generation

Note: the NAICS group listings are provided as a guide and do not define the coverage of the Steam Electric regulations. For precise definitions of coverage, see the applicability sections in 40 CFR Part 423.

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Facilities Covered

The Steam Electric Power Generating effluent guidelines apply to a major portion of the electric power industry.  These are plants primarily engaged in the generation of electricity for distribution and sale which results primarily from a process utilizing fossil-type fuel or nuclear fuel in conjunction with a thermal cycle employing the steam water system as the thermodynamic medium. There are approximately 1,100 of these facilities located throughout the United States.

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Amendment

EPA issued a proposed rule in April 2013 to amend the Steam Electric effluent guidelines and standards.

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Background Documents

• 2009 Detailed Study
  EPA conducted a study which provided an industry overview, data on wastewater characteristics of coal-fired plants, a description of applicable wastewater treatment technologies, a discussion of trends in the use of air pollution controls, and a description of environmental impacts.
  • Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category: Final Detailed Study Report (PDF) (233 pp, 2.6MB; EPA 821-R-09-008).
• Laboratory Analysis of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Wastewater (2011)
  EPA developed a standard operating procedure to conduct analyses of FGD wastewater.

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Rulemaking History

• 1982 Amendment
  Revised BPT, BAT, BCT, NSPS, PSES and PSNS requirements
  • Final Rule: 47 FR 52290 (PDF) (20 pp, 2.4MB) 11/19/1982
    • Development Document (PDF) (664 pp, 10MB) (EPA-440/1-82/029, November 1982)
  • Proposed Rule: 45 FR 68328 (PDF) (29 pp, 3.4MB) 10/14/1980
• 1978 & 1980 Amendments
  Amended BPT variance clause
  • Final Rule: 45 FR 61617 (PDF) (15 pp, 2.2MB) 9/17/1980
  • Final Rule: 43 FR 44846 (PDF) (3 pp, 434K) 9/29/1978
  • Proposed Rule: 43 FR 8812 (PDF) (2 pp, 302K) 3/3/1978
• 1977 Amendment
  Established PSES requirements
  • Final Rule: 42 FR 15690 (PDF) (7 pp, 1.2MB) 3/23/1977
    • Development Document (Pretreatment Supplement) (PDF) (258 pp, 9MB) (EPA-440/1-76/084, April 1977)
  • Proposed Rule: 39 FR 36210 (PDF) (2 pp, 270K) 10/8/1974
• 1974 Initial Rulemaking
  Established BPT, BAT, NSPS and PSNS requirements
  • Final Rule: 39 FR 36186 (PDF) (22 pp, 1.8MB) 10/8/1974
    • Development Document (PDF) (867 pp, 29MB) (EPA-440/1-74/029a, October 1974)
  • Proposed Rule: 39 FR 8294 (PDF) (14 pp, 977K) 3/4/1974

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Additional Information

For additional information regarding Steam Electric Power Generating effluent guidelines, please contact Ron Jordan (jordan.ronald@epa.gov) or 202-566-1003.

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