Enclosure 1 

Instructions for Sample Collection, Packaging, and Shipment

EPA Sampling Program

The samples you will be collecting are very important. The samples will be used by the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for revising the effluent limitations 

guidelines and standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Industry. 

These instructions are being provided to We Energies’ Pleasant Prairie Power Plant to aid 

in collecting, packaging, and shipping samples for this sampling program. 

The plant must collect grab samples for all analytes at the influent to the FGD wastewater 

treatment sampling point and 24-hour composite samples for all analytes except mercury 

and cyanide at the effluent from the FGD wastewater treatment sampling point. At the 

FGD wastewater treatment effluent, the plant must collect cyanide as a single grab 

sample and mercury must be collected as four individual grab samples over the 24-hour 

period (i.e., a grab sample collected every six hours).

Samples will be collected once a month for four months. The samples should be 

collected and shipped to the laboratories according to the schedule provided in the cover 

letter of this request. If the plant has any questions regarding the timeline or the steps 

provided, please contact Mr. Ronald Jordan at (202) 566-1003 or jordan.ronald@epa.gov. 

Equipment Needed

The plant will need to obtain the following equipment to collect, pack, and ship the 

samples to the laboratories: 

• Sample bottles, composite containers, and tubing sets (specially-cleaned 

according to EPA Method 1669); 

• Automatic compositor; 

• Powder-free gloves; 

• Tyvek® coveralls or suitable alternative; 

• Dust masks (for use while collecting mercury samples) 

• Labels (for sample bottles and shipping samples to laboratories); 

• Preservation supplies (see the “Sample Bottles and Preservation” Section); 

• Coolers; 

• Garbage bags; 

• Packing material; 

• Strapping tape; and 

• Traffic Report (will be provided by ERG). 
Sampling Points

The plant must collect samples once per month for four months, based on the schedule 

specified in the letter. Samples are to be collected from each of the two sampling points 

included in the EPA’s sampling episode. Figure 1 identifies each of the sampling points 

for this sampling program. The following is a description of the two sampling points: 

• FGD wastewater treatment influent (FGD scrubber purge) (SP-1): This 

sampling point shall represent the FGD purge stream (e.g., hydroclone overflow) 

transferred to the FGD wastewater treatment system prior to any commingling 

with other wastewaters or treatment system recycle streams. This sample should 

be collected from the sample tap located on the secondary hydroclone. 

• FGD wastewater treatment effluent (SP-2): This sampling point shall represent 

the effluent from the FGD wastewater treatment system, prior to mixing with 

dilution water or other streams. This sampling point should be collected from the 

sample tap that is located on the wastewater piping downstream of the effluent 

storage tanks; where the plant collects its samples associated with its NPDES 

internal monitoring point. 

Analytes

The analytes included in this sampling program include all analytes from EPA’s sampling 

program, except for the dissolved metals analyses (which includes hexavalent 

chromium). Table 1 contains the listing of all the analytes included in the monitoring 

program, as well as the analytical methods that will be used to analyze the samples. 

Table 1. Analytes and Analytical Methods Included in the Monitoring Program 

Parameter Method Number 

Classicals

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) SM 5210 B 

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) EPA 410.4 

Total suspended solids (TSS) SM 2540 D 

Total dissolved solids (TDS) SM 2540 C 

Sulfate EPA 300.0 

Chloride EPA 300.0 

Ammonia as nitrogen EPA 350.1 

Nitrate/nitrate as nitrogen EPA 353.2 

Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) EPA 351.2 

Total phosphorus EPA 365.1 

Total cyanide SM 4500 CN E 

Total Metals

Total mercury EPA 1631E 

Antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, 

selenium, silver, thallium, vanadium, and zinc 

EPA 200.8 with collision 

cell 

Aluminum, barium, beryllium, boron, calcium, cobalt, iron, 

magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sodium, tin, and titanium 

EPA 200.7 
Secondary 

Hydrocyclone 

Overflow

Lime

Organosulfide

Ferric 

Chloride Polymer Hydrochloric 

Acid

Treated 

Effluent to Discharge

To Sludge Disposal

Equalization 

Tank Reaction Tank 1

Primary Clarifier

Reaction 

Tank 2

Reaction 

Tank 3

Flash 

Mix Tank

Flocculation 

Tank

Secondary 

Clarifier

Treated 

Wastewater 

Storage 

Tanks

Sludge Holding 

Tank

Filter Press

Filtrate 

Sump

SP-1

SP-2

Indicates a Sampling Point

Treated 

Effluent 

Recycle

Polymer Hydrochloric 

Acid

Figure 1. Pleasant Prairie FGD Wastewater Treatment System Monitoring Program Sampling Points
Sample Bottles and Preservation

Table 2 identifies the sample bottles that are needed for collecting samples. The table 

also identifies the on-site preservation that is required for the samples. Please note that 

the number of sample bottles listed in Table 2 refers to the number of bottles that will 

need to be collected from each sampling point for each of the four sets of samples. For 

the Group II samples, the plant can either preserve the samples with sulfuric acid after 

sample collection, or the plant can order pre-preserved sample bottles. 

For the total cyanide samples, the plant should test the wastewater from the sampling 

points with lead acetate paper (turns black in the presence of sulfide) and potassium 

iodide starch paper (turns blue/violet in the presence of chlorine). If sulfide is present, 

the plant will need to dilute the sample with blank water until the sulfide is not detected 

by the lead acetate paper. If chlorine is present, then the plant will need to add sodium 

arsenite until the chlorine is not detected by the potassium iodide starch paper. After any 

dilution and/or sodium arsenite is added to the sample, the plant will need to preserve the 

sample with sodium hydroxide until the sample reaches a pH of 10 S.U. Please see 

ASTM Method D 7365-09a for more details on the preservation requirements for total 

cyanide. 

Table 2. Summary of Sample Container and Planned Preservation 

Parameter 

Sample Container 

and Volume On-Site Preservation 

BOD5 One 1-L HDPE 

bottle 

≤6°C 

Group I a One 1-L HDPE 

bottle 

≤6°C 

Group II b Two 1-L HDPE 

bottles 

H2SO4 to pH <2, ≤6°C 

Total cyanide One 1-L HDPE 

bottle 

Dilution until sulfide is not detected, 

NaAsO2 until total chlorine is not 

present, NaOH to pH >10, ≤6°C 

Total metals (EPA Method 200.8 with 

collision cell) 

One 500-mL HDPE 

bottle 

None 

(acid preserve at laboratory) 

Total metals (EPA Method 200.7) One 500-mL HDPE 

bottle 

None 

(acid preserve at laboratory) 

Total mercury: 

Laboratory composite grab samples at FGD 

wastewater treatment effluent 

Four 125-mL glass 

bottles 

Influent samples and field blank samples Two 250-mL glass 

bottles 

None 

(acid preserve at laboratory) 

(a) Group I includes TSS, TDS, sulfate, and chloride. 

(b) Group II includes ammonia as nitrogen, COD, nitrate/nitrite as nitrogen, TKN, and total phosphorus. 

NOTE: The number of sample bottles refers to the number of sample bottles needed for each sampling point for each of

the four sets of samples. 
Sample Labeling

Label each bottle prior to collecting the sample so it can be identified by the laboratory. 

Each self-adhesive label must be completed in indelible ink and must contain the 

following information: 

• Sample number (see Table 3); 

• Sampling episode number (see Table 3); 

• Sampling point/description (see Table 3); 

• Date of sample collection; 

• Analysis to be performed; 

• Sample bottle type; and 

• Required on-site preservation. 

If any of the information is incorrect, the plant must revise the label using indelible ink. 

Once applied to the sample container, the plant must cover the labels with clear tape to 

prevent tampering, abrasion, smearing, or loss during transit. For metal and mercury 

samples, do not place labels directly on the sample bottles because of the potential for 

contamination. Instead, place the label on the outer plastic bag of the sample bottle. To 

ensure that the sample label does not become separated from the bottle, the doublebagged sample bottle should be placed in an additional Ziploc bag after collection. 

Table 3 provides the sampling point descriptions, sample numbers, and sampling episode 

number for the plant for this monitoring program. The information in the table should be 

provided on the sample bottle labels for the appropriate bottles. The “analysis to be 

performed” should be shown on the label as the following, depending on the specific 

analysis: 

• BOD; 

• Group I; 

• Group II; 

• Total Cyanide; 

• Total Metals – 200.8 w/ CC; 

• Total Metals – 200.7; 

• Total Mercury (for influent and field blank samples); 

• Total Mercury – Grab 1 (for FGD wastewater treatment effluent 

laboratory composite samples. The bottles should be labeled as Grab 1, 

Grab 2, Grab 3, and Grab 4 for the four respective collection times). 

The “sample bottle type” should be shown on the label the same as the “Sample 

Container and Volume” column in Table 2, except that the quantity should not be 

included. For example, for total mercury, the “sample bottle type” should be “250-mL 

glass bottle.” The “required on-site preservation” should be shown on the label the same 

as the “On-Site Preservation” column in Table 2, except that “(acid preserve at 

laboratory)” does not need to be included for the total metals and total mercury sample 

bottles. 
Table 3. Sampling Point Descriptions and Sample Numbers for Monitoring 

Program 

 

Sampling Point Description Sample Number Sampling Episode Number 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Influent – Set 1 72041 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Influent – Set 2 72042 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Influent – Set 3 72043 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Influent – Set 4 72044 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Effluent – Set 1 72045 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Effluent – Set 2 72046 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Effluent – Set 3 72047 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Effluent – Set 4 72048 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Influent Field Blank 72049 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Effluent Field Blank – Set 1 72050 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Effluent Field Blank – Set 2 72051 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Effluent Field Blank – Set 3 72052 6566 

FGD Wastewater Treatment Effluent Field Blank – Set 4 72053 6566 

QC Samples

The plant is required to collect field blank samples as part of the sampling program. The 

field blank samples should be collected at the frequency specified in Table 4. 

Table 4. Field Blank Collection Frequency 

Sampling Point Total Mercury 

Total Metals (200.8 

and 200.7) Classicals1 

FGD Wastewater 

Treatment Influent 

Collected during one 

of the four sets 

Collected during one 

of the four sets 

No field blanks 

required 

FGD Wastewater 

Treatment Effluent 

Collected during all 

four sets 

Collected during all 

four sets 

No field blanks 

required 

1

 Classicals includes the analyses for BOD, Group I, Group II, and total cyanide. 

The laboratory will perform MS/MSD analyses on the total metals and total mercury 

analyses; however, no additional sample volume is required. 

Sample Collection

The plant must use clean sampling techniques when collecting the total metals and total 

mercury samples; therefore, the sampling team should follow the clean hands/dirty hands 

sampling techniques outlined in EPA Method 1669. Additionally, the plant must try to 

avoid significant contamination during sample collection, especially from sources such as 

airborne particles, dirt, and corrosion particulates from piping, railing, etc. 
The plant must collect grab samples for all analytes at the influent to the FGD wastewater 

treatment system. The plant must collect 24-hour composite samples for all analytes 

except cyanide and mercury at the FGD wastewater treatment effluent sampling point. 

The 24-hour composites must be set up to collect equal sample aliquots every hour over 

the 24-hour period. For mercury at the FGD wastewater treatment effluent sampling 

point, the plant must collect four individual grab samples over the 24-hour period (i.e., one 

mercury grab collected every six hours). For cyanide at the FGD wastewater treatment 

effluent sampling point, the plant must collect a single grab sample after the one of the 

mercury grab samples. 

If the plant collects the samples from the same taps used for the collection of samples 

during the EPA sampling episode, the plant can follow the instructions included in the 

sampling plan drafted for the EPA sampling episode to collect the field blank samples, set 

up the composite containers, and perform the composite pump-off procedures for the FGD 

wastewater treatment effluent sampling point. The following instructions can be used to 

collect the grab samples at the influent to the FGD wastewater treatment system sampling 

point and for the mercury and cyanide grab samples at the FGD wastewater treatment 

effluent sampling point: (NOTE: If a sample tap or valve is not available to collect these 

samples or if the FGD wastewater treatment effluent sampling point has intermittent flows 

which may interfere with the automatic composite collection, please contact TJ Finseth, 

(703) 633-1698 to discuss possible alternatives.) 

1. Arrive at the sampling point location and prepare supplies and bottles for 

the sample collection. 

2. Clean hands and dirty hands put on Tyvek® suits, masks, and powder-free 

gloves. 

3. Dirty hands gets a clear plastic bag and opens it slightly (touching only the 

outer part of the bag) so that clean hands can place hands in the bag and 

open the bag completely. 

4. Clean hands then uses the plastic bag to shroud the sample tap (note that 

there should be no flow through the sample tap at this time). Clean hands 

will need to puncture a small hole in the bag using the tap and dirty hands 

can cable tie the bag to the tap to prevent it from falling during sample 

collection. 

5. Dirty hands opens the outer bags of the field blank water and total mercury 

and total metals field blank sample bottles. Clean hands opens the inner 

bag of the field blank water and unscrews the lid. Clean hands then opens 

the inner bag of the total mercury and total metals field blank sample 

bottles. Clean hands pours the blank water into the field blank sample 

bottles under the shrouding, caps the bottles, and closes the inner bags. 

Clean hands then places the total mercury and total metals bottles in the 

outer bags and dirty hands closes the outer bag. 

6. Dirty hands then opens the valve to the sample tap and purges the tap for at 

least two minutes, then keeps the valve open until all samples have been 

collected. 
7. Dirty hands opens the outer bag for the total mercury sample bottle. Clean 

hands takes the sample bottle and inner bag and holds them under the 

shroud. Clean hands then opens the inner bag, opens the lid of the bottle 

and fills the total mercury sample bottle. Clean hands caps the sample 

bottle, closes the inner bag, and places the sample bottle in the outer bag. 

Dirty hands closes the outer bag. The samplers repeat this procedure for 

the collection of the total metals samples (both EPA 200.8 with collision 

cell and EPA 200.7), unless the plant is collecting the metals samples as 

composite samples. 

8. The samplers then collect the BOD, Group I, Group II, and total cyanide 

samples. NOTE: the samplers can collect these samples using the same 

technique as the mercury and metals samples, or they can remove the 

plastic bag shrouding and collect directly from the tap. 

9. The Group II and total cyanide samples must be preserved prior to 

shipment to the laboratories. Use the information provided in the “Sample 

Bottle and Preservation” section of these instruction for the preservation 

steps. Additionally, the BOD, Group I, Group II, and total cyanide samples 

should be placed on ice immediately after sample collection/preservation. 

Sample Packing and Shipment

The following steps should be used when packing and shipping the samples to the 

laboratories. 

1. Make sure that each sample bottle has a label, and that the label correctly 

specifies the sample point. 

2. Tighten the lid on each filled sample bottle, being careful not to 

overtighten the lid. If bottle threads are dirty to where the lid is impeded 

from closing, clean the threads on the bottle being careful to not introduce 

contamination into the sample. Clean the sample bottle with a cloth rag or 

paper towel. 

3. Prior to packaging, place each sample bottle requiring ≤6°C preservation 

into an ice chest with wet ice to cool. 

4. When each sample requiring ≤6°C preservation has reached the desired 

temperature, wrap each glass sample bottle with two layers of “bubble 

wrap” (or place bottle in two “bubble bags”). The bubble wrap must fit 

snugly and completely cover the sample bottle. Enclose each “bubblewrapped” container and plastic container in an individual sealable plastic 

freezer bag. 

5. Place two garbage bags inside each other in each of the coolers used to 

ship samples to the laboratories. 

6. Place the classicals samples in the garbage bags in the coolers with proper 

end up, close the interior garbage bag by tying, or with a twist-tie. 

7. Add ice to the cooler to keep samples cold during shipment. Arrange blue 

ice or sealed plastic freezer bags filled with wet ice on top of the sample 

bottles (if samples require ≤6°C preservation). If using wet ice, place the 
ice inside two one-gallon sealable freezer bags. Put at least 4 × 1⁄2 gallons 

of ice (4 × 2.5 pounds of ice) in each large cooler and 2 × 1⁄2 gallons of ice 

(2 × 2.5 pounds of ice) in each small cooler. Use more ice when ambient 

temperatures are very high. Place the ice inside the second garbage bag. 

8. Close the second garbage bag by tying, or with a twist-tie. 

9. Place the metals samples in the garbage bags in a different cooler with 

proper end up, close the interior garbage bag by tying or with a twist-tie. 

Close the second garbage bag by tying, or with a twist-tie. NOTE: the 

metals samples are not required to be cooled; however, because the metals 

and classicals are being analyzed by the same laboratory, the metals can 

be shipped with the classicals, but the metals samples would need to be 

chilled prior to packing them in the cooler with the classicals and ice 

would need to be added to the cooler between the interior and outer 

garbage bags to keep the samples cold. 

10. Fill in any free space around the bottles in the metals and classicals 

coolers with additional cushioning material. Sufficient packing material 

should be used so that the sample containers will not shift during 

shipment. 

11. Fill out and print a traffic report form for the classicals and metals samples 

(provided electronically by ERG). Seal the last two pages of the traffic 

report form(s) in a plastic envelope secured to the inside of the top of the 

cooler(s). NOTE: the top page of the traffic report must be sent to ERG at 

the following address: 

 Eastern Research Group 

 14555 Avion Parkway, Suite 200 

 Chantilly, VA 20151 

 Attn: TJ Finseth 

 (703) 633-1698 

12. Close the cooler(s). 

13. Place a completed laboratory address label on the lid of the cooler(s). The 

classicals and metals samples should be shipped to TestAmerica as 

follows: 

 TestAmerica 

 4955 Yarrow Street 

 Arvada, CO 80002 

 Attn: Elizabeth Eichelberger 

 (303) 736-0100 

14. Make several wraps with strapping tape around the cooler perpendicular to 

the seal to ensure that the lid will remain closed if the latch is accidentally 

released or damaged. 

15. Place the mercury samples in the garbage bags in a separate cooler with 

proper end up, close the interior garbage bag by tying, or with a twist-tie. 
16. Do not add ice to the mercury cooler, simply close the second garbage bag 

by tying, or with a twist-tie. 

17. Fill in any free space around the bottles with additional cushioning 

material. Sufficient packing material should be used so that the sample 

containers will not shift during shipment. 

18. Fill out and print a traffic report form for the mercury samples (provided 

electronically by ERG). Seal the last two pages of the traffic report form 

in a plastic envelope secured to the inside of the top of the cooler. NOTE: 

the top page of the traffic report must be sent to ERG at the same address 

provided in step 11: 

19. Close the cooler. 

20. Place a completed laboratory address label on the lid of the cooler. The 

mercury samples should be shipped to Frontier as follows:

 Frontier GeoSciences 

 414 Pontius Ave. North 

 Seattle, WA 98109 

 Attn: Patrick Garcia-Strickland 

 (206) 957-1428 

21. Make several wraps with strapping tape around the cooler perpendicular to 

the seal to ensure that the lid will remain closed if the latch is accidentally 

released or damaged. 

22. Fill out the necessary paperwork for FedEx or UPS to prepare the 

shipment for pick up or drop off. NOTE: the samples must be shipped 

priority overnight to arrive at the laboratories the following morning. Ship 

the coolers to the laboratories. 

23. After the coolers have been dropped off (or picked up), please contact TJ 

Finseth at (703) 633-1698, to notify him that the samples have been 

shipped to the laboratories. 

Traffic Reports

An example traffic report will be provided to the plant by ERG for the first sample 

collection event. The plant will need to make changes to the traffic report electronically 

for the other three sample collection events. Some information, such as the date and 

sample collection times must be entered by the plant after the sample collection and 

therefore, will not be included in the example provided by ERG. 

After the traffic report is completed by the plant, the plant must print the four pages in the 

file. The last two pages in the file must be placed in the cooler for shipment to the 

laboratories and the first page must be sent to ERG. The plant can keep the second page 

of the traffic report. 
Engineering Data

The plant must provide engineering data regarding the operation of the plant and FGD 

systems during the sample collection period. Additionally, the plant must make some 

field measurements when samples are collected, including pH, temperature, and visual 

observations, and provide the data to EPA after the sample collection period. The 

engineering data and field measurement data requirements are in an Excel® spreadsheet 

titled “Monitoring Program Engineering Data Tables,” which will be provided by ERG. 

The tables are also included at the end of this enclosure. The plant must complete the 

engineering data sheets and field measurement sheets in the Excel® file and e-mail the 

completed forms to TJ Finseth at thomas.finseth@erg.com. 

Certification Statement 

The individual responsible for directing and supervising the sample collection and the 

engineering data preparation must sign the certification statement (provided in Enclosure 

4) and submit it upon the completion of the sampling program. The signed certification 

statement should be scanned and e-mailed to TJ Finseth at thomas.finseth@erg.com, at 

the same time the engineering data is submitted. 
Complete the following tables for each sampling point

Plant Name

Sample 

Collection 

Number

Date of Sample 

Collection

Sample Collection 

Time Temperature (°C)

pH

(S.U.)

Set 1Set 2Set 3Set 4

Plant Name

Sample 

Collection 

Number

Unit Overflow 

Sampled at 

Influent 

(7 or 8)

Influent Samples 

Collected as Grabs

(Yes or No)

Mercury and Cyanide 

Samples Collected as 

Grabs

(Yes or No)

Effluent Samples 

Collected as 24-

Hour Composites

(Yes or No)

Tyvek Suits 

used

(Yes or No)

Dust Masks 

Used for 

Mercury 

(Yes or No)

Clean Hands/Dirty 

Hands Sampling 

Techniques Used

(Yes or No)

Description of Sample 

Collection Technique (if 

different than 

instructions)

Description of Abnormal 

Conditions in FGD System 

or FGD Wastewater 

Treatment System that May 

Impact Concentrations

Set 1Set 2Set 3Set 4
Complete the following tables based on the plant operating characteristics during each set of samples collected

Units Operating 

During Sampling 

Day

Units Off-line 

Entire 

Sampling Day

SCRs/SNCRs 

Operating on 

Units

Set 1Set 2Set 3Set 4

Flow Rate (gpm) Duration

Set 1Set 2Set 3Set 4

Lime Usage 

(tons)

Ferric Chloride 

Usage 

(Liters/day)

Organosulfide Usage 

(Liters/day)

Polymer Usage 

(Liters/day)

Acid Usage 

(Liters/day)

Chemical 

Precipitation 

System Effluent Flow Rate (gpd)

Set 1Set 2Set 3Set 4

Plant Name

Sample 

Collection 

Number

Date of Sample 

Collection

Plant Operation During Sample Collection

Plant Name

Sample 

Collection 

Number

Date of Sample 

Collection

Plant Operation During Sample Collection

Scrubber Slurry Blowdown Flow 

Rate Scrubber Slurry 

Percent Solids

Percent Hydroclone 

Overflow Recycled 

Back to Scrubber

FGD Wastewater Treatment Operation During Sample Collection

Plant Name

Sample 

Collection 

Number

Date of Sample 

Collection

Scrubber Purge 

Flow Rate During 

Influent Sample 

Collection

(gpm)
Unit 1 Unit 2

Daily Power Generation (MW-hrs)

Plant Name Date

Provide the daily power generation for each scrubbed unit starting two weeks prior to the first 

set of samples through the last set of samples
FGD Wastewater Treatment System Flow 

Rates

(gpd)

Plant Name Date Chemical Precipitation Effluent

Provide the average flow rate in the FGD wastewater treatment system for each stream included in the 

table starting two weeks prior to the first set of samples through the last set of samples
Enclosure 2 

Authority

This request for information is made under authority provided by Section 308 of the Federal 

Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 USC 1318. Section 308 provides that, "Whenever 

required to carry out the objective of this Act, including but not limited to . . . developing or 

assisting in the development of any effluent limitation . . . pretreatment standard, or standard of 

performance under this Act," the Administrator shall require the owner or operator of any point 

source to "establish and maintain such records, . . make such reports, . . install, use, and maintain 

such monitoring equipment . . . sample such effluent . . . and provide such other information as 

he may reasonably require." 

Confidentiality

A business ("you") may not withhold information from EPA on the grounds that it is 

confidential. You may, however, if you desire, assert a business confidentiality claim covering 

part or all of the information that you furnish to EPA. 

EPA regulations concerning confidential business information are contained in 40 CFR Part 2, 

Subpart B. The manner of asserting such a claim is specified in 40 CFR 2.203(b). Information 

covered by such a claim will be disclosed by EPA only to the extent, and by means of the 

procedures, set forth in Subpart B. 

If you wish to claim as confidential any of the information covered by the enclosed request, you 

must do so at the time you submit the information to EPA. If no such claim accompanies the 

information when EPA receives it, EPA may make the information available to the public 

without further notice to you. 

EPA will notify you in the event that a request is made for release of information that you have 

claimed to be confidential or EPA otherwise decides to make a determination as to whether or 

not such information is entitled to confidential treatment. At that time, EPA will request that you 

substantiate any claim you have made that information is confidential. Therefore, we encourage 

you to consult 40 CFR Part 2, and to claim as confidential only those items that you truly believe 

satisfy the criteria for confidentiality. 

Note that effluent data are not eligible for confidential treatment (see 40 CFR 2.302). 
Enclosure 3

Notice of Intent to Transfer Confidential Information to Selected EPA Contractors

EPA intends to grant access to confidential information collected under the sampling program to 

selected EPA contractors. 

In accordance with 40 CFR Sections 2.301(h)(2-3), 2.302(h)(2-3), and 2.305(h)(2-3), EPA may 

allow those contractors identified below access to all data (including data claimed to be 

confidential) collected as part of the follow-on sampling program. Transfer of this information 

to these contractors is necessary in order for the contractors to assist EPA in performing 

technical, statistical, and environmental analyses to support the development of effluent 

limitations guidelines and standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating industry. 

The contractors and subcontractors that will be providing support to EPA during the 

development of these regulations are listed below: 

EPA Office 

Receiving 

Support 

Contractor Name EPA Contract 

No. Type of Support 

Eastern Research Group, Inc. 68-C-02-095 Engineering analysis 

Office of Water/ 

Office of 

Science & 

Technology/ 

Engineering & 

Analysis 

Division 

Westat EP-C-10-023 Statistical analysis 

EPA has determined that it is necessary to transfer the information described above to the 

designated contractors and subcontractors in order that they may carry out the work required by 

their contracts. The contracts contain all provisions necessary to implement the confidentiality 

regulations (see 40 CFR 2.301(h)(2), 2.302(h)(2), and 2.305(h)(2)). 

In accordance with these confidentiality regulations, you are entitled to provide comments to 

EPA regarding this notice of contemplated disclosure. Any such comments must be received by 

EPA in writing within 10 days of your receipt of this notice. Please send such comments to: 

Ronald Jordan 

USEPA Headquarters 

Ariel Rios Building 

1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. 

Mail Code: 4303T 

Washington, DC 20460 

jordan.ronald@epa.gov 
Enclosure 4 

Certification Statement 

The individual responsible for directing or supervising the sample collection and engineering 

data preparation for the sampling program must read and sign the Certification Statement listed 

below. The certifying official must be a responsible corporate official or his/her authorized 

representative. 

Certification Statement 

I certify under penalty of law that the samples collected for the sampling program were collected 

under my direction or supervision, that qualified personnel collected the samples following the 

procedures described in the instructions (including the use of clean hands/dirty hands sampling 

techniques described in EPA Method 1669), that qualified personnel gathered the engineering 

data required, and that the sampling and engineering data provided are complete and reflect 

normal operations for this plant. The engineering data submitted are, to the best of my 

knowledge and belief, accurate and complete. In those cases where we did not possess direct 

measurement, we provided best estimates. We have to the best of our ability indicated what we 

believe to be company confidential business information as defined under 40 CFR Part 2, 

Subpart B. We understand that we may be required at a later time to justify our claim in detail 

with respect to each item claimed confidential. I am aware that there are significant penalties 

for submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and imprisonment as explained 

in Section 308 of the Clean Water Act.

 

Signature of Certifying Official Date 

( ) 

Printed Name of Certifying Official Telephone Number of Certifying Official 

Title of Certifying Official 

Company Name