Washington Watch: Trump EPA Proposes Gutting Coal Ash Pollution Controls

The Trump EPA thinks pollution controls on coal ash are too tough, and it wants to gut the rules that are supposed to protect clean water.

The Trump EPA announced last week that it intends to scrap rules adopted under the Obama Administration governing disposal of coal ash.

Citizen conservation advocates responded immediately to this threat. Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) senior attorney Frank Holleman said, “Coal ash is polluting rivers, lakes and wells across America, but President Trump’s EPA is trying to weaken the standards that are supposed to protect Americans from this toxic threat. These proposals will weaken rules that protect our groundwater from arsenic and mercury and continue to extend the use of unlined, leaking coal ash pits next to our waterways. America’s families and clean water deserve better.”

Conservation advocates will track this new threat from Washington and publicize public comment opportunities to oppose the rollback of critical controls on water pollution from toxic coal ash.

Up next, there’s a new chance now to speak up in support of our leading national commitment to confront climate change, the Clean Power Plan.