After years of litigation and grassroots activism, the EPA is addressing gaps in the 2015 Coal Ash Rule that left half of coal ash unregulated and allowed coal plants to avoid cleaning up toxic coal ash across the country. There is a 60-day comment period on the new rule, ending on July 17 and two public hearings. It is critically important that community voices are heard. EPA’s rule could finally require safe closure, cleanup of contaminated water, and actions to prevent catastrophic spills.  

You can send a comment at this form: Earthjustice online action to EPA. There are 4 more days to comment

The EPA recently proposed a new rule to strengthen coal ash regulations and force coal power plants to finally address their toxic waste. Public comments and participation are very important.

The EPA’s new federal coal ash safeguards are a big win for communities near coal plants. The EPA must regulate all coal ash at power plant sites. EPA must finalize these new, important protections, even if industry opposes them.

It’s time to close the loophole that left over a half billion tons of toxic coal ash exempt from federal safeguards. Coal ash is disproportionately located in low-income communities and communities of color. Please send your comment to the EPA here: Earthjustice online action to EPA

Across the country, power plant owners have avoided cleaning up coal ash, which has left an estimated 91 percent of coal plants with water contaminated above federal safe standards. The EPA must ensure that communities are protected through this new rule, and EPA must enforce these safeguards.

EPA must move quickly to stop the flow of toxic releases from hundreds of leaking coal ash dumps and require effective cleanup of coal ash.

The longer EPA enforcement of coal ash regulations is delayed, the more toxic waste enters our water, and the more difficult cleanup will be.

In solidarity,

Team 350 Chicago