ENSR International details pressing Clean Water Act 316 (b) regulatory requirements for utilities

Westford, Mass., May 8, 2003 -- ENSR International, an environmental and energy development services company with 45 US offices, outlined new regulatory requirements, roll out schedules and key strategies to reduce compliance costs for major utilities affected by the final rulemaking of Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316 (b) in an online conference seminar.

Facilities most affected by the current phase of 316 (b) include 540 nationwide power plants, identified by EPA as using once-through cooling. They face significantly increased permitting and monitoring costs and potential major retrofits to achieve compliance with the new rule. The proposed CWA Section 316(b) Phase II rule sets out performance standards to achieve Best Technology Available to minimize entrainment and impingement of aquatic organisms at the Cooling Water Intake Structure (CWIS).

Working with major utilities, ENSR experts Mark Gerath and Steve Cibik led the presentation accompanied by a panel of ENSR water resources experts in Texas, Washington and Massachusetts. Attendees received a clear understanding of the 316 (b) process and a critical perspective on the rule changes, and heard guidance on the best compliance approaches and technical considerations to evaluate for their facility. ENSR has assisted dozens of facilities nationwide and internationally with developing and permitting of water resources. This has included many successful demonstrations that facilities meet relevant Section 316(b) requirements which have saved clients tens of millions of dollars

According to Mark Gerath, ENSR Senior Water Resources Manager, "Our goal is to help solve our clients' environmental problems in the most cost- effective manner. This conference delivered timely critical information on how to reduce compliance costs--to the desktops of facility staff." Steve Cibik, Senior Aquatic Biologist added; "This was cost-effective for us and our clients. We kept travel costs down, but did not compromise on the level of discussion on important topics. Clients from 20 states were able to learn our approaches and share their perspectives."

Phase I of Section 316 (b) affected new facilities that install CWIS and were constructed after January 2002. Phase III, which begins to roll out next year, affects pulp and paper companies, petroleum and chemical refineries and smaller power plants. ENSR plans similar conferences for those clients.

ENSR has used online conferencing technology for conferences on other regulatory requirements and issues for industry including New Source Review and Environmental Management Systems. For more information on ENSR's integrated approach to cost-effective CWA Section 316 (b) Compliance, request a copy of ENSR's CWA Section 316 (b) Tip sheet: Process, Perspective and Approaches by calling (800) 722-2440 or visiting www.ensr.com/request.

About ENSR

ENSR International (www.ensr.com) is a worldwide environmental and energy development services company with 35 years of experience serving industrial companies from 70 international offices. ENSR won Environmental Business Journal Business Achievement Awards in 2001 and 2002.