Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Emergency

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2025. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History
    • Staff Directory

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Cooling Water Intakes

Cooling Water Intakes Rulemaking History

Photo - Cooling towers
 
On this page:
  • 2014 Rule
  • 2006 Rule (Phase III)
  • 2004 Rule (Phase II - withdrawn)
  • 2003 Rule (Phase I amendments)
  • 2001 Rule (Phase I)

2014 - Existing Electric Generating Plants and Factories

The 2014 Final Rule is a follow-up to the withdrawn 2004 Rule.
  • Final Rule - 2014
  • Notice of Data Availability - Stated Preference Survey (June 12, 2012)
  • Notice of Data Availability - Impingement Mortality Control Requirements (June 11, 2012)
  • Proposed Rule (April 20, 2011)

2006 - New Offshore Oil & Gas Extraction Facilities (“Phase III”)

  • Final Rule (June 16, 2006)
    • Support Documents, including
      • Fact sheet
      • Technical Development Document
        Engineering analysis of technologies & costs pertaining to regulation of cooling water intakes at new offshore oil and gas extraction facilities and other existing facilities
      • Economic and Benefits Analysis
        Analysis of economic impacts and benefits of 2006 Cooling Water Intakes rule
      • Regional Benefits Analysis
        Analysis of benefits of the final Cooling Water Intakes rule for each of seven regions evaluated, and national level estimates
  • ​​Proposed Rule (November 24, 2004)

2004 - Existing Electric Power Plants (“Phase II”) (withdrawn)

  • Notice of Suspension (July 9, 2007)
    Follow-up note: See 2014 Final Rule
    • Implementation Memo (March 20, 2007)
      Guidance on status of Phase II cooling water intakes rule during pending litigation
  • Final Rule (July 9, 2004)
    • Support Documents, including
    • Fact sheet
    • Technical Development Document
      Engineering analysis of technologies & costs for cooling water intake regulations
    • Economic and Benefits Analysis
      Analysis of economic impact, environmental impact and benefits of cooling water intake regulations
    • Regional Benefits Analysis
      Analysis of benefits of the final Cooling Water Intakes rule for each of seven regions evaluated, and national level estimates
  • Proposed Rule (April 9, 2002)

2003 - Minor Amendments to Phase I Rule

  • Final Rule (June 19, 2003)
    • Fact Sheet
  • Proposed Rule (December 26, 2002)
  • Direct Final Rule (December 26, 2002)

2001 - New Facilities (“Phase I”)

  • Final Rule (December 18, 2001)
    • Support Documents, including
    • Fact sheet
    • Technical Development Document
      Engineering analysis of technologies & costs for cooling water intake regulations
    • Economic Analysis
      Analysis of economic impact, environmental impact and benefits of cooling water intake regulations
  • ​Proposed Rule (August 10, 2000)

Cooling Water Intakes

  • Rulemaking History
  • Implementation Support
Contact Us about Cooling Water Intakes
Contact Us about Cooling Water Intakes to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on October 4, 2024
  • Assistance
  • Ayuda
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • Aide
  • Asistans
  • Korean
  • Assistência
  • Russian
  • Tulong
  • Vietnamese
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.