(June 26, 2018) - EPA published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register on June 13, requesting public comments on Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Costs and Benefits in the Rulemaking Process. The ANPRM states that “virtually all environmental statutes leave the specifics on how costs and benefits are to be considered to EPA,” and “there can be a significant variation in terminology and specificity provided in each law regarding the nature and scope of costs and benefits considerations.” NACWA is concerned that this ANPRM may impact how the Agency interprets the Clean Water Act’s cost-benefit analysis in setting pollution standards and issuing permits.

NACWA, along with the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) submitted a joint request to extend the comment period by 90 days due to the short turnaround of 30 days, and the detailed nature of the expert input requested.

For more information, please contact Emily Remmel, NACWA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.