An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Cooling Water Intakes

Contact Us

Cooling Water Intakes Rulemaking History

Photo - Cooling towers

On this page:

2014 Rule
2006 Rule (Phase III)
2004 Rule (Phase II - withdrawn)
2003 Rule (Phase I amendments)
2001 Rule (Phase I)

2014 - Existing Electric Generating Plants and Factories

The 2014 Final Rule is a follow-up to the withdrawn 2004 Rule.

Final Rule - 2014
Notice of Data Availability - Stated Preference Survey (June 12, 2012)
Notice of Data Availability - Impingement Mortality Control Requirements (June 11, 2012)
Proposed Rule (April 20, 2011)

2006 - New Offshore Oil & Gas Extraction Facilities (“Phase III”)

Final Rule (June 16, 2006)
- Support Documents, including
  - Fact sheet
  - Technical Development Document
    Engineering analysis of technologies & costs pertaining to regulation of cooling water intakes at new offshore oil and gas extraction facilities and other existing facilities
  - Economic and Benefits Analysis
    Analysis of economic impacts and benefits of 2006 Cooling Water Intakes rule
  - Regional Benefits Analysis
    Analysis of benefits of the final Cooling Water Intakes rule for each of seven regions evaluated, and national level estimates
Proposed Rule (November 24, 2004)

2004 - Existing Electric Power Plants (“Phase II”) (withdrawn)

Notice of Suspension (July 9, 2007)
Follow-up note: See 2014 Final Rule
- Implementation Memo (March 20, 2007)
  Guidance on status of Phase II cooling water intakes rule during pending litigation
Final Rule (July 9, 2004)
- Support Documents, including
- Fact sheet
- Technical Development Document
  Engineering analysis of technologies & costs for cooling water intake regulations
- Economic and Benefits Analysis
  Analysis of economic impact, environmental impact and benefits of cooling water intake regulations
- Regional Benefits Analysis
  Analysis of benefits of the final Cooling Water Intakes rule for each of seven regions evaluated, and national level estimates
Proposed Rule (April 9, 2002)

2003 - Minor Amendments to Phase I Rule

Final Rule (June 19, 2003)
- Fact Sheet
Proposed Rule (December 26, 2002)
Direct Final Rule (December 26, 2002)

2001 - New Facilities (“Phase I”)

Final Rule (December 18, 2001)
- Support Documents, including
- Fact sheet
- Technical Development Document
  Engineering analysis of technologies & costs for cooling water intake regulations
- Economic Analysis
  Analysis of economic impact, environmental impact and benefits of cooling water intake regulations
Proposed Rule (August 10, 2000)