The primary responsibility for setting industry-wide technology based effluent standards lies with which level of government?

The primary responsibility for setting industry-wide technology-based effluent standards falls under the federal government's jurisdiction. This is largely due to the Clean Water Act, which empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national standards for discharges into the waters of the United States. These technology-based standards are essential for regulating pollutants and ensuring that various industries meet uniform requirements to protect water quality.

While state governments can implement their own standards that may be more stringent than federal ones and can also enforce additional regulations, the baseline for industry-wide effluent standards is set at the federal level. This ensures consistency across states and makes it easier for industries to understand their obligations, regardless of where they operate. The dual role of state and federal governments often leads to a collaboration where states may adapt federal standards to local conditions, but the initial establishment of these standards resides with federal authorities.