EPA Broadens ‘Zero Discharge’ Mandate In Final Power Plant Effluent Rule

EPA’s final rule tightening effluent limitation guidelines (ELG) for coal-fired power plants sets a “zero discharge” limit on pollutants from three categories of wastewater, rather than the two it proposed, and adds numeric limits on arsenic and mercury groundwater releases -- both changes sought by environmentalists who said the proposal was too narrow. The updated ELG is one of four final rules targeting power plants that EPA released early on April 25, along with greenhouse gas emission standards, air toxics...