ML071020505

E-MAIL: (PA) EPA Suspends 316(b) Rule

ML071020505
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	03/21/2007
From:	Scheffer J Entergy Corp
To:	Williamson A Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
TAC MD3698
Download: ML071020505 (3)

Text

I Alicia Williamson - EPA Suspends 316(b) Rule Page I11 From: "Scheffer, Jacob" <JScheff@entergy.com>

To: <arwl @nrc.gov>

Date: 03/21/2007 3:19:50 PM

Subject:

EPA Suspends 316(b) Rule Alicia:

As a follow up to our conversation of yesterday, attached for your information is an EPA memo from Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, to the Regional Administrators, informing them that the 316(b) rule should be considered suspended. At this point, I am not sure what this means for us, but hopefully clarification will be forthcoming.

Jay CC: "Bethay, Stephen" <SBethay@entergy.com>, "Mogolesko, Fred"

<fmogole@entergy.com>, "Ford, Bryan" <BFord@entergy.com>

I c:\temp\GW)00006.TMP Page I c:~temp~(~VV1UUOU~.TMP Page 11 I Mail Envelope Properties (46018550.338: 11 : 21304)

Subject:

EPA Suspends 316(b) Rule Creation Date 03/21/2007 3:19:23 PM From: "Scheffer, Jacob" <JScheff(@entergy.com>

Created By: JScheff(,entergM.com Recipients nrc.gov TWGWPO04.HQGWDO01 ARWI (Alicia Williamson) entergy.corn BFord CC (Bryan Ford) finogole CC (Fred Mogolesko)

SBethay CC (Stephen Bethay)

Post Office Route TWGWPO04.HQGWDO01 nrc.gov entergy.comr Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 373 03/21/2007 3:19:23 PM TEXT.htm , 2436 image00l .gif 862 EPA suspends 316b Phase II Rule 20 Mar 07.pdf 73253 Mime.822 107840 Options Expiration Date: None Priority: Standard ReplyRequested: No Return Notification: None Concealed

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I Alicia Williamson - EPA suspends 316b Phase 11Rule 20 Mar 07.pdf Page I I L~iciW,,sn- P sspns,1b hse- Ru...e 20Mr0. ae1i rm UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 P,,u*r¶2 0 iA&

MEMORANDUM OWFT OF

SUBJECT:

Implementation of the Decision in Riverkeeper,Inc. v. EPA, Remanding the Cooling Water Intake Structures Phase 11Regul ion 0 FROM: Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Admini TO: Regional Administrators The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on the status of the Cooling Water Intake Structures Phase II regulation under section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act ("Phase II rule" or "Rule"). The Phase 11 rule set national standards for cooling water withdrawals by large, existing power producing facilities ("Phase II facilities"). See 40 C.F.R. Part 125 Subpart J; 69 Fed. Reg. 41576 (July 6, 2004).The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued its decision in the litigation over the Phase 11 regulation. SE Riverkeeper. Inc., v. EPA, No. 04-6692, (2d Cir. Jan. 25, 2007).

The court's decision remanded several provisions ofthe Rule on various grounds.

The provisions remanded include:

" EPA's determination of the Best Technology Available under section 316(b);

" The Rule's performance standard ranges;

" The cost-cost and cost-benefit compliance alternatives;

" The Technology Installation and Operation Plan provision;

• The restoration provisions; and

" The "independent supplier" provision.

With so many provisions of the Phase II rule affected by the decision, the rule should be considered suspended. I anticipate issuing a Federal Register notice formally suspending the Rule in the near future.' In the meantime, all permits for Phase I1 facilities should include conditions under section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act developed on a Best Professional Judgment basis. See 40 C.F.R. § 401.14.

If you have questions regarding the application of section 316(b) at Phase 11 facilities, please contact either Janet Goodwin with the Office ofScience and Technology at 202-566-1060 (goodwin.ianet*,,epa.nov) or Deborah Nagle with the Office of Wastewater Management at 202-564-I 185 (nagle.deborah(iiepa.gov .

1 In.the event that the court's decision is overturned prior to publication of the Federal Register notice. then I will nol proceed to effect the suspension; if'the court's decision is overturned after publication of the notice, the Agency will take appropriate action in response.

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