(Speaker58809)Impacts of EPA 316(b) on Power Plant Cooling Water Intakes

摘要

Approximately half of the United States steam electric generating capacity is cooled byonce-through cooling systems. These plants withdraw cooling water primarily fromsurface water bodies thereby having a potentially negative impact on the environment.Section 316(b) of EPA's Clean Water Act requires that the location, design,construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures reflect the best technologyavailable (BTA) for minimizing adverse environmental impacts. Due to ease ofretrofitting and total compliance costs, the selected BTA is likely to be modified travelingwater screens (TWS) for many of the affected plants.