EPA promulgated the Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 423) in 1974, and amended the regulations in 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982, 2015 and 2020. The regulations cover wastewater discharges from power plants operating as utilities. The Steam Electric regulations are incorporated into NPDES permits.

• What is Steam Electric Power Generating?
• Facilities covered
• 2020 Reconsideration Rule
• 2015 Final Rule
• Background documents
• Rulemaking history
• Additional information

What is Steam Electric Power Generating?

Steam electric plants use nuclear or fossil fuels (such as coal, oil and natural gas) to heat water in boilers, which generates steam. The steam is used to drive turbines connected to electric generators. The plants generate wastewater in the form of chemical pollutants and thermal pollution (heated water) from their water treatment, power cycle, ash handling and air pollution control systems, as well as from coal piles, yard and floor drainage, and other miscellaneous wastes.

• 221112 – Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
• 221113 – Nuclear Electric Power Generation

Note: the NAICS group listings are provided as a guide and do not define the coverage of the Steam Electric regulations. For precise definitions of coverage, see the applicability sections in 40 CFR Part 423.

Facilities Covered

The Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines apply to a major portion of the electric power industry. These are plants primarily engaged in the generation of electricity for distribution and sale which results primarily from a process utilizing fossil-type fuel or nuclear fuel in conjunction with a thermal cycle employing the steam water system as the thermodynamic medium. There are approximately 914 of these facilities located throughout the United States.

2020 Reconsideration Rule

• 2020 Final Rule (October 13, 2020)

2015 Final Rule - Amendment

• Final Rule (November 3, 2015)

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Background Documents

2009 Detailed Study

• Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category: Final Detailed Study Report (2009)

Laboratory Analysis of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Wastewater

• Standard Operating Procedures for analyses of FGD wastewater

Rulemaking History

2020 Amendment

• Final Rule (October 13, 2020)

2015 Amendment

• Final Rule (November 3, 2015)

1982 Amendment

• Documents, including:
  • Final Rule (November 19, 1982)
    • Development Document
      Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule
  • Proposed Rule (October 14, 1980)

1978 and 1980 Amendments

• Documents, including:
  • Final Rule (September 17, 1980)
  • Final Rule (September 29, 1978)

1977 Amendment

• Documents, including:
  • Final Rule (March 23, 1977)
    • Development Document (Pretreatment Supplement)
  • Proposed Rule (October 8, 1974)

1974 Initial Rulemaking

• Documents, including:
  • Final Rule (October 8, 1974)
    • Development Document
      Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule
  • Proposed Rule (March 4, 1974)

Additional Information

For additional information regarding Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines, please contact Richard Benware (benware.richard@epa.gov) or 202-566-1369.

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