CC-11-017: Proposed 316(b) Rule – Cooling Water Intake Structures at Existing Facilities

 In the April 20, 2011 Federal Register, EPA published a proposed rule for NPDES permit holders that use surface water intake structures for the withdrawal of cooling water. The rule is intended to provide protection for fish and shellfish against impingement, entrainment, and entrapment by these cooling water intake structures. All facilities operating such structures would be subject to provisions determined on a case-by-case basis by NPDES permitting authorities and, for facilities exceeding certain applicability criteria, to specific control provisions in the rule.