Energy & Environment Newsletter

EPA proposes flexibilities for toxic coal waste

by Rachel Frazin - 04/09/26 7:07 PM ET

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by Rachel Frazin - 04/09/26 7:07 PM ET

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Energy & Environment

The Big Story

EPA proposes flexibilities for toxic coal waste

The Trump administration is proposing to make regulations on the disposal of coal plants’ toxic waste more flexible.

(Joshua A. Bickel/AP)

When coal is burned to produce power, it results in a waste known as “coal ash” that contains contaminants including mercury and arsenic. Often coal ash is stored in ponds. Improper management of coal ash ponds can result in groundwater and drinking water pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday proposed giving permit authorities — either itself or the states — flexibility to allow plants to abide by “alternative groundwater protections standards” for certain pollutants.

Its draft rule would also allow for groundwater monitoring to take place at “alternative” locations.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described the proposed changes as “commonsense” and said they “reflect EPA’s commitment to restoring American energy dominance, strengthening cooperative federalism, and accommodating unique circumstances.”

However, environmental advocates said the changes could worsen public health and the environment.

“Coal ash pollution has already cut too many American lives short. Our government should be strengthening safeguards against this toxic threat; instead, Donald Trump and Lee Zeldin are taking a sledgehammer to them,” Sierra Club senior attorney Bridget Lee said in a written statement.