OMB Withdraws EPA’s PFAS Effluent Limitation Guidelines and Standards Proposed Rule

On January 21, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) withdrew EPA’s Proposed Rule on “Clean Water Act Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) and Standards for PFAS Manufacturers Under the Organic Chemicals, Plastics and Synthetic Fibers (OCSPF) Point Source Category.” The withdrawal was based on President Trump’s Executive Order for a Regulatory Freeze Pending Review because the rule had not been finalized.

Some news outlets are confusing this withdrawal of the PFAS ELG proposed rule with the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) that was finalized in April 2024. For clarification, the PFAS drinking water rule has not been withdrawn. However, the PFAS ELG rule would have helped protect drinking water sources.

ASDWA submitted joint comments on the PFAS ELG proposed rule in May 2021 with the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA), the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO), and the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS). In those comments, the Associations recommended that EPA undertake actions and initiate rulemakings for all PFAS industrial categories in an urgent and expeditious manner. To view the withdrawal action, visit OMB’s website.