From Marc Davies of Greenberg Traurig Philadelphia:

On January 14, 2014, EPA will unveil BAT requirements related to cooling water towers that will impact manufacturing operations across the country.  Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act requires that the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures reflect the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact.  This January, EPA will issue a final rule pursuant to 316(b), establishing technology standards for cooling water intake structures.   EPA issued rules covering new facilities in 2001 and existing, large electric-generating facilities in 2004.  The upcoming rule covers smaller facilities that withdraw at least 25 percent of their water from an adjacent waterbody for cooling purposes, and have a designed intake flow of greater than 2 million gallons per day, subjecting them to limits on how many fish can be killed or pinned against intake screens.

The new rule will affect over 1,200 existing facilities, including approximately 700 of the smaller power plants that hitherto escaped the 316(b) technology standards, but which are well aware of its impending release.  Also affected however, are almost 600 manufacturing facilities, including refineries, paper mills and steel mills, many of which may not be focused on 316(b), but who will nonetheless need to spend time and resources in 2014 evaluating whether their cooling water intake structures reflect best available technology.

 

 

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Photo of Caleb Holmes Caleb Holmes

Caleb’s practice focuses on complex environmental litigation and environmental compliance. Caleb has represented clients in state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings. In his environmental litigation practice, Caleb often represents corporate clients in cost recovery, contribution and government enforcement actions under Comprehensive

Caleb’s practice focuses on complex environmental litigation and environmental compliance. Caleb has represented clients in state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings. In his environmental litigation practice, Caleb often represents corporate clients in cost recovery, contribution and government enforcement actions under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Caleb has litigated such matters through trial and has also helped clients negotiate and settle matters. He has worked with clients on cases involving a wide variety of contaminants, including but not limited to PCBs, PFAS, and dioxins. Caleb also has broad experience litigating complex commercial litigation, including products liability and mass tort/toxic tort matters. He has a depth of experience with all aspects of discovery, including work with experts, taking and defending depositions, motion practice, trial preparation and settlement negotiation.

Caleb provides practical advice to clients in the acquisition and disposition of businesses and assets and the re-development of brownfield sites. He works with clients to achieve compliance with state-specific voluntary cleanup programs, including Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling Program (Act 2).

Caleb counsels clients on compliance with a broad range of federal and state environmental laws, including RCRA, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and a host of other federal and state environmental laws.

In addition to his legal work, Caleb is active in various professional and civic organizations. He is currently serving as the Council’s Secretary for the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Environmental and Energy Law Section.