Search Results for keywords:"Clean Water Act"

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has finalized a rule clarifying timelines and requirements for water quality certifications under section 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act related to hydroelectric projects. This rule specifies that certifying authorities have one year to act on certification requests and affirms that projects discharging into U.S. waters need such certification or a waiver. The regulation updates language for consistency with Environmental Protection Agency terms and sets a timeline for filing certification requests. Changes include revising when certain certifications are required and ensuring procedural alignment with existing federal laws, aiming to enhance clarity, efficiency, and consistency in related hydroelectric proceedings.

Moon Lake Electric Association, Inc. has applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to give up its license for the Uintah Hydroelectric Project, located in Utah. The project used structures like canals and powerhouses to generate electricity, but now some parts will be removed and others will be kept and transferred to the Ute Indian Tribe. The public can submit comments or file motions regarding this application by March 31, 2025. This notice invites federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies to participate in the environmental review process.

PE Hydro Generation, LLC submitted a request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for water quality certification under the Clean Water Act. The request, sent on December 17, 2024, was acknowledged by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The agency now has until December 17, 2025, to respond, or the right to certify will be considered waived. This process ensures that the agency has a reasonable period to review the environmental impact of PE Hydro's project.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of the Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 14 under the Clean Water Act. This plan outlines updates on previous activities, reviews of wastewater discharges, and proposed treatment technologies. The plan also addresses new studies, such as those related to industrial discharges of nutrients and PFAS (a group of chemicals). EPA received public feedback on the preliminary plan and made some clarifications, although no significant changes were made. The plan is available online for public access.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a virtual public meeting for the Animal Agriculture and Water Quality Subcommittee, a part of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee, on December 6, 2024. This meeting will discuss recommendations for improving the Clean Water Act's permitting program for concentrated animal feeding operations. The public comment period for the meeting has been extended to December 5, 2024. People interested in attending or providing comments should register on the EPA's website.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to withdraw a proposed rule that aimed to set federal water quality standards for Indian reservation waters. This decision allows the EPA to instead focus on helping Tribes develop their own water quality standards in line with the Clean Water Act, under a provision that allows eligible Tribes to be treated like states. While 52 of the 84 eligible Tribes have already established these standards, the EPA intends to continue assisting Tribes in building their capability to manage their own water quality programs. The withdrawal follows feedback from 3,314 public comments on the proposed rule.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released draft national recommended water quality criteria for public comment, focusing on three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). These criteria are designed to protect human health and are based on the latest scientific data, providing states and tribes with information for setting their own water quality standards. Comments on this draft can be submitted until February 24, 2025, and the EPA will use this feedback to finalize the criteria. Once finalized, these recommendations will offer guidance on minimizing health risks from PFAS exposure in drinking water and aquatic food sources.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made comprehensive updates to the regulations overseeing Clean Water Act (CWA) section 404 programs, which involve the management of dredged and fill material by Tribes and States. These updates aim to clarify requirements for how Tribes and States can assume these programs, enhance procedures for public and inter-agency coordination, and strengthen oversight and enforcement aspects. They also allow for greater Tribal involvement in commenting on permits that might impact Tribal resources. The EPA has also streamlined the process for withdrawing State programs if they are not compliant with the CWA requirements, ensuring effective and efficient program operations.

The Department of Justice has lodged a proposed Consent Decree in a lawsuit concerning natural resource damages caused by Vigor Industrial, LLC and Exxon Mobil Corp. The lawsuit involves claims under environmental laws for damages in Seattle's Lower Duwamish River. The proposed settlement requires the defendants to carry out and maintain habitat restoration projects and pay $815,816.59 for assessment costs. Public comments on the proposed Consent Decree and the Draft Restoration Plan will be accepted for 30 days following the notice's publication.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has received a water quality certification request from Northern States Power Company for a specific project. This request was submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on December 6, 2024. The Michigan authorities have one year, until December 6, 2025, to make a decision on this request. If no action is taken by that date, the certification will be considered waived under the Clean Water Act.