The Environmental Protection Agency underestimated the costs businesses would incur from proposed standards for cooling water intake structures at manufacturing facilities and power plants, the American Chemistry Council said in a statement released March 29.
ACC has requested the EPA exempt smaller facilities and broaden technology choices to mitigate potentially high compliance costs.
The EPA estimates capital costs of $40,000 per facility over 10 years. But according to an ACC analysis projected costs are $185,000 to $1 million per technology over the same period.
“We welcome the flexibility provided in these proposed standards,” said Mike Walls, ACC vice president of regulatory and technical affairs. “By avoiding a ‘one size fits all’ approach, the rules can be more effective and achievable. Businesses will be able to develop site-specific compliance plans and apply the most advanced technologies."
ACC will file comments on the proposed rule by the 90-day deadline.
For more information, visit http://www.americanchemistry.com.
