Opinion ID: 3007001
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Viruses and Protists

Text: Petitioners also complain about the lack of numeric TBELs for viruses and protists (primarily single‐celled organisms). EPA argues, however, that it could not set TBELs for viruses and protists in the 2013 VGP because EPA could not yet identify ʺsuitable standardized test organisms and/or surrogate ‐41‐ parameters to determine treatment system performance at removing or eliminating viruses and protists and which also can be used in establishing technology‐based discharge limitations.ʺ App. at 486; see also App. at 495 (ʺEPA does not believe that there are sufficient data available to establish numeric limits for protists or other bacteria.ʺ) We agree that it was not arbitrary and capricious for EPA to decline to set TBELs for organisms for which it is unable to test and for which it has insufficient data to set numeric limits. See Balt. Gas & Elec. Co. v. NRDC, Inc., 462 U.S. 87, 103 (1983) (ʺ[A] reviewing court must remember that [where the agency] is making predictions, within its area of special expertise, at the frontiers of science . . . as opposed to simple findings of fact, a reviewing court must generally be at its most deferential.ʺ). Petitioners have not demonstrated that sufficient data are available. EPA has represented that it will consider including numeric TBELs for viruses and protists in the next version of the VGP. App. at 486. This is sufficient.