The Biden administration has proposed plans to limit wastewater discharge from coal-fired power facilities.
The proposal is based on the most recent science and uses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) longstanding authority under the Clean Water Act to reduce toxic metals and other pollutants discharged from these power plants into lakes, streams, and other bodies of water, the EPA says.
“EPA’s proposed science-based limits will reduce water contamination from coal-fired power plants and help deliver clean air, clean water, and healthy land for all.”
The proposed regulation was created with a goal of helping conserve the nation’s essential water resources, which sustain clean drinking water, agriculture, and healthy communities.
Large amounts of wastewater are discharged from coal-fired power stations into waterways such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. Pollutants such as selenium, mercury, arsenic, nickel, bromide, chloride, and iodide, as well as nutrient pollution and total dissolved solids, are included in the discharges.
Contamination of drinking water supplies, recreational waterways, and aquatic life can affect humans and various ecosystems.
The proposed regulation by the EPA would impose stricter discharge criteria for three types of wastewater generated by coal-fired power plants: flue gas desulfurization wastewater, bottom ash transport water, and combustion residual leachate. The proposed regulation also covers wastewater held in surface impoundments produced by coal-fired power stations.
The proposal would describe these “legacy” wastewaters and solicit feedback on whether more rigorous discharge criteria for these wastewaters should be developed.
In addition, the EPA is recommending adjustments to particular compliance approaches for certain “subcategories” of power plants. The agency’s proposal would keep and update a compliance route for coal-fired power facilities that agree to phase out coal use by 2028.
The agency is releasing a straight final rule and a parallel proposal to allow power plants to choose this compliance approach. Moreover, power plants that are currently complying with existing standards and aim to stop burning coal by 2032 would be able to comply with the new rule.
The EPA estimates that the proposed rule will reduce pollutants released by coal-fired power plants through wastewater by 584 million pounds annually.
This means that communities nationwide could benefit from cleaner, more resilient water supplies if the plan is implemented. The government agency noted their particular concern about its application for low-income and minority populations affected by pollution from coal-fired power plants.
