US EPA Proposes Changes to Coal Ash Disposal Regulations

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed revisions to regulations governing the disposal of coal ash on Thursday. Coal ash is a waste product generated from burning coal and contains heavy metals that can contaminate groundwater if not stored properly. The proposal aims to adjust standards established in prior years.

The current regulations were strengthened under the Biden administration in 2024, eliminating exemptions for some older coal ash sites. These rules were part of broader efforts to address pollution from coal-fired power plants. The Obama administration first set federal standards for coal ash in 2015, requiring companies to line new storage sites, monitor groundwater, and close unlined ponds, often by relocating the material.

the new proposal, the Trump administration seeks to ease standards for monitoring and protecting groundwater near some coal ash sites.

The changes would allow cleanup efforts to focus on specific dump locations rather than entire coal properties. Additionally, the revisions would facilitate the reuse of coal ash for other purposes. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that the proposal reflects the agency's commitment to restoring American energy dominance, strengthening cooperative federalism, and accommodating unique circumstances at certain coal ash facilities.

“EPA’s recent unprecedented expansion of the federal (coal ash) regulations has needlessly diverted funds from the power sector’s efforts to meet the Nation’s growing energy needs; increased costs for power companies and consumers without corresponding benefits to public health or the environment.”

power plants, often located near rivers or waterways, produce large quantities of coal ash. Improper storage can lead to pollutants leaching into surrounding waters. Nicholas Torrey, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, noted that toxic metals and pollutants from coal ash leach into surrounding waters, posing a pollution threat.

The regulations were prompted by past incidents, including a 2008 dike failure in Tennessee that spread coal ash over 300 acres, requiring a massive cleanup. Workers involved in that cleanup reported health issues, including cancers, from ash exposure.

In 2014, tens of thousands of tons of coal ash spilled in North Carolina.

community advocates have expressed concerns that the proposed changes could increase risks of water contamination and exposure to toxic waste for people near coal plants. The coal industry maintains that stringent rules raise operational costs, potentially leading to premature plant retirements.

The industry has previously requested adjustments to the regulations from the EPA. The proposal is part of ongoing efforts to modify clean air and water standards, providing regulatory relief to the fossil fuel sector. Public comments on the proposal are expected, with final rules potentially following a review period.

Affected parties include coal plant operators, nearby communities, and environmental regulators.