H.R. 3899: Clarifying Federal General Permits Act

This bill, known as the Clarifying Federal General Permits Act, aims to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, specifically regarding the issuance and renewal of general permits for discharges into U.S. waters. The key points of the bill include:

General Permits

The bill allows the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue general permits for discharges associated with various activities that are similar in nature. These can be issued on different scales, such as state, regional, or nationwide levels, as well as for specific areas.

Expiration and Renewal of Permits

If a general permit is nearing expiration and the Administrator decides not to renew it, they must inform the public by publishing a notice in the Federal Register at least two years before the permit expires. This is intended to provide advance notice to those affected by the permit's expiration.

Continued Application of Permit Terms

Should a permit expire without the Administrator's public notice of its non-renewal, the terms and conditions of the expired permit will continue to apply to:

• Any discharge that was previously covered by the expired permit
• Any new discharges that would have met the eligibility requirements of the expired permit had they occurred before the expiration date

New Permit Issuance Timeline

The bill specifies that the terms of the expired general permit will remain in effect until one of the following occurs:

• The Administrator issues a new general permit covering similar discharges.
• Two years pass after a notice is published stating the decision not to renew the existing general permit.

Overall Purpose

The legislation seeks to clarify the process for general permits, ensuring that there are clear guidelines for both the EPA and the entities that rely on these permits for discharges into waterways. The aim is to enhance transparency and predictability for stakeholders while managing water pollution effectively.

Relevant Companies

• Dawn Water Solutions (DWN) - A company involved in water treatment solutions that may be affected by changes in discharge regulations.
• ExxonMobil (XOM) - As a major oil and gas company, ExxonMobil may need to comply with new general permit requirements for discharges from their operations.
• Devon Energy (DVN) - An energy company that may be significantly impacted by any changes in regulations regarding water discharges associated with energy extraction processes.