In 2015, Waterkeepers Chesapeake joined more than a half-million comments from people supporting coal ash regulations that were imposed after lengthy negotiations with utilities, other industries and environmentalists. Under the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed to weaken or eliminate the federal safeguards and protections against the dangers posed by coal ash. Relaxing those common sense, science-based rules now – even as utilities are in the process of reporting the extent of coal-ash contamination and devising plans to address it – would mean the lessons learned from the coal ash accidents in Tennessee and North Carolina are being ignored. The proposed rule (‘remand rule’) would once again put our water and public health at risk – with more than 1.5 million children living near coal ash storage sites and seventy percent of all coal ash impoundments disproportionately impacting low-income communities – this is a risk that the EPA should be unwilling to take.
Waterkeepers Chesapeake Demands All Communities be Protected from Toxic Coal Ash
Waterkeepers Chesapeake submitted comments today opposing the revisions to the definitions of “coal pile” and “beneficial use.” These revisions to EPA’s “Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System; Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities,” rule, or the “CCR” rule would increase the risk of contamination and health impacts from coal ash. In addition, Waterkeepers Chesapeake submitted comments … Read more
ACT NOW! Protect Communities from Toxic Coal Ash!
Once again, the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to weaken or eliminate the federal safeguards and protections against the dangers posed by toxic coal ash stored in ponds on the banks of our rivers. This is another blatant giveaway to powerful utilities and the coal industry. Relaxing common sense, science-based rules now … Read more
EPA’s Attempt to Weaken Coal Ash Regulations Is a Giveaway to Industry
In 2015, Waterkeepers Chesapeake joined more than a half-million comments from people supporting the safeguards that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now seeking to remove in its proposed rule. The 2015 coal ash regulations were imposed after lengthy negotiations with utilities, other industries and environmentalists. Relaxing those common sense, science-based rules now – even … Read more
Stop EPA’s Rollback of Coal Ash Regulations
Under the Obama Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency adopted federal protections against the dangers posed by toxic coal ash. That rule requires closure of ash dumps in dangerous locations (including within five feet of groundwater), regular inspection of coal ash ponds, monitoring of groundwater near coal ash sites, closure of leaking ponds, cleanup when contamination … Read more
Stop EPA Rollback of Limits for Toxic Water Pollution from Coal Power Plants
EPA is trying to roll back a 2015 rule that establishes the first-ever uniform limits for toxic water pollution from coal-fired power plants, America’s #1 source of toxic water pollution. Before the agency tries to dismantle the rule, it must first find a legal way to suspend the fast-approaching compliance deadlines—a step that has proven … Read more
Waterkeepers Chesapeake Disappointed in EPA Regulations for the Disposal of Coal Ash
Rule will not adequately protect water or communities. Fails to follow science and properly designate coal ash as hazardous waste. Washington, DC — December 19, 2014 — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today has issued its first-ever national rule on the disposal of coal ash. Several local Waterkeepers and Waterkeeper Alliance have been working for … Read more
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