EPAProposed Rule
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System - Regulations Addressing Cooling Water Intake Structures for New Facilities [W-00-03-DCN-2-001]
EnvironmentEnergy
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Summary
This EPA regulation sets rules for how new power plants and industrial facilities must design the pipes and structures that pull in water for cooling purposes. The goal is to protect fish and other aquatic life from being killed or injured when they get sucked into these water intake systems.
Key Points
- 1New power plants and large industrial facilities must install equipment to prevent fish and other aquatic organisms from being pulled into their cooling water intake systems
- 2Facilities must either use screens and filters to keep organisms out, reduce water intake speed, or locate intake pipes away from areas where fish congregate
- 3These rules only apply to new facilities being built going forward, not existing plants already in operation
- 4The EPA estimates this will help protect millions of aquatic organisms annually while costing industries money to install protective equipment
- 5This is a proposed rule, meaning the EPA is still accepting public comments before making it official
Key Dates
Published
April 10, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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