Section 316(b) Cooling Water Intake Rule Comment Period Extended

In response to requests from stakeholders and to allow for additional public comment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period by 30 days for the cooling water intake structures proposed rule. This change will not affect EPA’s schedule for issuing a final rule by July 27, 2012.

This proposed rule, based on Section 316 (b) of the Clean Water Act, is intended to protect fish and other aquatic organisms from being drawn into cooling water systems at large power plants and factories.

The original 90-day public comment period was originally set to expire on July 19, 2011. EPA expects to publish a notice of this 30-day extension in the Federal Register.

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