Suspension of Phase II Rule
EPA is suspending the Cooling Water Intake Structure Regulations for existing large power plants. This suspension is in response to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Riverkeeper, Inc., v. EPA.
Federal Register Notice (July 09, 2007) | Implementation Memo (PDF) (1 page, 72K, About PDF; March 20, 2007)
§316(b) of the Clean Water Act requires that the location, design, construction and capacity of cooling water intake structures reflect the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact. More information...
- Information Collection Request for Cooling Water Intake Structures New Facility Final Rule (Renewal) (June 25, 2008)
- Information Collection Request for Cooling Water Intake Structures New Facility Final Rule (Renewal) (March 28, 2008)
- Final Phase III rule published (June 16, 2006)
- April 2006 status report to the court
- January 2006 status report to the court
- October 2005 status report to the court
- Proceedings Report: Symposium on Cooling Water Intake Technologies to Protect Aquatic Organisms (May 2003)
There are three rulemaking phases:
- Phase I rule, promulgated in 2001, covers new facilities
- Phase II rule, promulgated in 2004, covers large existing electric generating plants
- Phase III rule, signed June 01, 2006