EPA Announces Swift Actions on Coal Ash Program (Coal Combustion Residuals)
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is prioritizing a number of timely actions on coal ash, including state permit program reviews and updates to the coal ash regulations.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA will advance cooperative federalism to allow states to lead the charge on local issues, with federal support. This is just one of many examples where this agency can and will work with our state partners to deliver for the American people,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Consistent with Administrator Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative, prioritizing state permit programs for coal ash advances pillars on Clean Air, Land, and Water for every American as well as Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership. EPA will work with state partners to place implementation of the coal ash regulations more fully into state hands. This will empower those with local expertise to oversee more effective coal ash disposal operations.
The agency will work with several states on preparing their regulations and applications. EPA encourages state agencies to pursue oversight of coal ash management within their borders. The agency is committed to working with state partners as they establish coal ash programs tailored to their unique circumstances that are also protective of human health and the environment. To exemplify the agency’s commitment, EPA will propose a determination on the North Dakota permit program within the next 60 days.
EPA is also reviewing the Legacy-Coal Combustion Residuals Management Units Rule. A key part of that review is evaluating whether to grant short- and long-term relief such as extending compliance deadlines. The agency aims to complete rule changes within a year.
This was announced in conjunction with a number of historic actions to advance President Trump’s Day One executive orders and Power the Great American Comeback. Combined, these announcements represent the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in the history of the United States. While accomplishing EPA’s core mission of protecting the environment, the agency is committed to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to unleash American energy, lower costs for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, restore the rule of law, and give power back to states to make their own decisions.