FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2023
CONTACT: Steven Fantes, Public Affairs Manager, 617-817-1297 and steven.fantes@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org
EPN Releases Statement Regarding EPA ELG Final Program Plan 15
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Plan 15), which describes analyses, studies, and rulemakings related to effluent limitations guidelines and pretreatment standards. This Plan focuses on evaluating the extent and nature of both nutrient and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) discharges and restricts PFAS discharges from industrial sources through a multi-faceted Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) program.
In response, Betsy Southerland, a volunteer with the Environmental Protection Network and the former Director of the Office of Science and Technology in EPA’s Office of Water, released the following statement:
“In the final effluent limitation program plan released today, EPA has clearly made control of PFAS forever chemicals a top priority for the next six years. EPA documents progress in regulating PFAS discharges from the organic chemicals, plastics & synthetic fibers industry, and the metal finishing and electroplating while committing to a new regulation of PFAS discharges from landfills. EPA is also initiating a nationwide study of industrial discharges of PFAS to publicly owned treatment plants that could speed pretreatment requirements for multiple industries. EPA is simultaneously embarking on two major efforts to reduce nutrient discharges to the nation’s waters by regulating the meat and poultry products industry and undertaking a detailed study of concentrated animal feeding operations. Unless EPA gets considerably more resources for the ELG program or a waiver of information collection and other time-consuming processes, this plan is the fastest EPA can move to control PFAS and nutrients through the Clean Water Act’s technology-based treatment program.”
Betsy Southerland is available to speak to the media about the updated rule and its effects on public health and the environment.
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About Betsy Southerland: Dr. Southerland was with the EPA for 30 years, serving as Director of Science and Technology in the agency’s Office of Water, before retiring in 2017. She has remained active on environmental issues as a member of the Environmental Protection Network and regularly testifies before Congress about clean water issues, PFAS, and emerging, unregulated contaminants.
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ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NETWORK
Founded in 2017, the Environmental Protection Network (EPN) harnesses the expertise of more than 550 former EPA career staff and confirmation-level appointees from Democratic and Republican administrations to provide the unique perspective of former scientists and regulators with decades of historical knowledge and subject matter expertise.