April 4, 2024 - Electric utilities and energy trade associations are clamoring to weigh in on a pending new regulation geared toward curbing wastewater from coal-fired power plants.

Southern, Duke Energy and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association have scheduled meetings this month with the White House Office of Management and Budget to discuss EPA’s pending new effluent limitation guidelines for coal plants. The agency is also scheduled to meet with the environmental group Earthjustice this Wednesday.

As proposed last year, the EPA rule would establish more stringent discharge limits for steam electric power plants that mostly burn coal and are a major source of industrial water pollution. A final version of the rule is currently being reviewed by OMB.

Representatives for Duke and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association declined to say what they plan to discuss at their respective upcoming meetings.