EPA CONTINUES TO GUT COAL ASH RULE BY DELAYING CLOSURE OF LEAKING TOXIC PONDS

The document criticizes a proposed EPA rule that would allow coal ash ponds to remain open until 2038, arguing that this delay prolongs the leakage of toxins into groundwater and increases the risk of catastrophic dam failures, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color.

• The proposed EPA rule would introduce exemptions and loopholes allowing utilities to delay the closure of coal ash ponds until 2038, extending the deadline by 4.5 years.
• Groundwater monitoring data indicates that 92 percent of coal plants with coal ash ponds have contaminated groundwater with toxins exceeding federal health standards, including arsenic, lithium, cadmium, cobalt, selenium, and lead.
• Coal ash ponds pose significant structural risks, with over 50 classified as high hazard dams where failure would cause loss of life, and more than 175 classified as significant hazard dams that could cause major economic or environmental damage.
• Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of storms, which creates new hazards for coal ash ponds typically located near lakes, streams, or in flood plains.
• The EPA has previously determined that pollution and spills from coal ash ponds disproportionately impact communities of color and low-income communities.

APA

Earthjustice (n.d.). EPA CONTINUES TO GUT COAL ASH RULE BY DELAYING CLOSURE OF LEAKING TOXIC PONDS. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/ccr-rule-fact-sheet_11-05.pdf

Chicago

Earthjustice. EPA CONTINUES TO GUT COAL ASH RULE BY DELAYING CLOSURE OF LEAKING TOXIC PONDS. n.d. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/ccr-rule-fact-sheet_11-05.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Earthjustice |title=EPA CONTINUES TO GUT COAL ASH RULE BY DELAYING CLOSURE OF LEAKING TOXIC PONDS |url=https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/ccr-rule-fact-sheet_11-05.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{earthjusticendepa, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{EPA CONTINUES TO GUT COAL ASH RULE BY DELAYING CLOSURE OF LEAKING TOXIC PONDS}}, institution = {Earthjustice}, url = {https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/ccr-rule-fact-sheet_11-05.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }