• Home
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Co-ops Vote

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation

Energy Done Right!

  • About Us
  • Learn About
  • Power Supply
  • Community
  • News

NRECA Welcomes EPA Proposal to Clarify Oversight of Waterways

To the relief of electric cooperatives, the Environmental Protection Agency plans to replace its 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, which significantly expanded what waters and wetlands should be federally regulated.

Time on the marshes photographing the marsh and pylons at sunset
Time on the marshes photographing the marsh and pylons at sunset

EPA on Dec. 11 proposed to limit “waters of the U.S.” to traditional navigable waters and tributaries, ditches, wetlands and other features that have direct and consistent flows into navigable waters.

The new rule would also retain and clarify previous exclusions for groundwater, roadside or farm ditches, prior converted cropland, storm water control features and waste treatment systems.

NRECA worked with industry coalitions to encourage EPA to replace the 2015 rule that would have increased costs and red tape for electric co-ops to meet infrastructure construction and maintenance requirements.

“We applaud the administration for recognizing the need to replace the WOTUS rule,” said NRECA CEO Jim Matheson.

“We look forward to working with regulators on a more workable and lawful regulation, one that allows electric co-ops to conduct maintenance and build new infrastructure without triggering additional and more onerous permitting requirements.”

The proposed rule also would reconfirm the shared federal and state responsibility for protecting water and clarifying which waters and wetlands would come under federal regulation.

The 2015 rule remains stayed in 28 states as several courts consider its legality.

“The 2015 rule was a significant overreach of the federal government’s authority to regulate water and land,” said Matheson.

EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will accept comments on the proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The organizations have scheduled an informational webcast on the proposal for Jan. 10, 2019, and a listening session in Kansas City, Kansas, on Jan. 23, 2019.

Cathy Cash is a staff writer for NRECA.

December 19, 2018

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
About Sunflower
Our Members
Mission Statement
Cooperative Principles
Culture TRAITS
Leadership Program
Learn About
Electricity 101
Glossary
Video Gallery
System Backbone Project
Johnson Corner Solar Project
Power Supply 
Facility Summary
Gas-Fired Units
Holcomb Station
Coal Supply
Wind Generation
How Wind Works
Transmission System
Community
Kansas ElectroRally
Co-Op Connections Card
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Control Technology
Economic Development
Sites and Buildings
News
Sunflower News
Industry News
Newsletter Archive
Annual Report
Press Room
Newsletter Signup
Careers
Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 • Sunflower Electric Power Corporation • 785-628-2845 • 301 West 13th Street, Hays, KS • Powered by MSI Digital • Log in