EPA’s New Coal Ash Proposal Is a Gift to Polluters

Earthjustice criticizes a proposal by the Trump EPA to weaken the coal combustion residuals (CCR) rule, arguing that the changes favor utility companies over public health and environmental safety.

• The Trump EPA is proposing to roll back protections within the coal combustion residuals (CCR) rule, which Earthjustice claims will allow power companies to avoid cleaning up toxic coal ash and weaken safeguards for drinking and groundwater.
• The EPA's proposal aligns with requests made in early 2025 by industry groups, including the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group (USWAG), which sought to expand exemptions and roll back disposal requirements.
• Specific proposed changes include eliminating requirements for certain coal ash management units (CCRMU’s), exempting 'dewatering structures' from federal regulation, and allowing site-specific permits to weaken groundwater monitoring and cleanup requirements.
• The proposal seeks to weaken restrictions on the 'beneficial use' of coal ash, which can involve mixing the waste into soil or using it in fill projects for construction sites, parks, and playgrounds, potentially leaving it exposed to the environment.

APA

Zniber, S. (2026). EPA’s New Coal Ash Proposal Is a Gift to Polluters. Earthjustice. https://earthjustice.org/experts/christine-santillana/epas-new-coal-ash-proposal-is-a-gift-to-polluters

Chicago

Zniber, Siham. EPA’s New Coal Ash Proposal Is a Gift to Polluters. Earthjustice, 2026. https://earthjustice.org/experts/christine-santillana/epas-new-coal-ash-proposal-is-a-gift-to-polluters.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Zniber |first1=Siham |title=EPA’s New Coal Ash Proposal Is a Gift to Polluters |publisher=Earthjustice |date=27 May 2026 |url=https://earthjustice.org/experts/christine-santillana/epas-new-coal-ash-proposal-is-a-gift-to-polluters |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{zniber2026epas, author = {Zniber, Siham}, title = {{EPA’s New Coal Ash Proposal Is a Gift to Polluters}}, publisher = {Earthjustice}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://earthjustice.org/experts/christine-santillana/epas-new-coal-ash-proposal-is-a-gift-to-polluters}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }