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ARTICLE · 22 NOVEMBER 2010

EPA to Promulgate ELGs for Power Plants by Jan. 31, 2014

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In a Nov. 8 consent decree, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agreed to a July 23, 2012 deadline to propose the coal-fired power plant effluent limit guidelines (ELGs) with final ELGs to be promulgated by Jan. 31, 2014.

United StatesEnvironment
Fredric Andes
Fredric Andes
Susan Bodine
Susan Bodine
Mindy Boehr
Mindy Boehr
Joseph Madonia
Joseph Madonia
Michael Scanlon
Michael Scanlon
Jeffrey Longsworth
Jeffrey Longsworth
Erika Powers
Erika Powers
Anthony Sullivan
Anthony Sullivan
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In a Nov. 8 consent decree, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agreed to a July 23, 2012 deadline to propose the coal-fired power plant effluent limit guidelines (ELGs) with final ELGs to be promulgated by Jan. 31, 2014. Environmental groups had threatened to sue EPA alleging it has a non-discretionary duty under the Clean Water Act for EPA to review the ELGs every five years. The existing ELGs were finalized in 1982. The consent decree requires EPA to consider coal ash storage pond discharges and specific limits on mercury, arsenic, and cadmium discharges.

EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson, has previously stated that she hoped to propose the new ELGs before 2012; however that goal is not legally enforceable. In addition to working on the revised ELGs, the Agency reported to environmental groups last summer that 35 NPDES permits for power plants would be reviewed by EPA before 2013. Environmental groups have stated that they will be scrutinizing and challenging

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