Economic Analysis of the Final Regulations Addressing Cooling Water Intake Structures for New Facilities.

摘要

EPA is promulgating regulations implementing section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for new facilities (33 U.S.C. 1326(b)). The final rule establishes national technology-based performance requirements applicable to the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures (CWIS) at new facilities. The final national requirements establish the best technology available (BTA) to minimize the adverse environmental impact (AEI) associated with the use of these structures. Means by which CWIS cause AEI include impingement (where fish and other aquatic life are trapped on equipment at the entrance to CWIS) and entrainment (where aquatic organisms, eggs, and larvae are taken into the cooling system, passed through the heat exchanger, and then discharged back into the source water body).