Each year, coal-fired power plants discharge arsenic, mercury, lead, selenium, bromide, and other toxins into waterways that flow into our drinking water supplies. According to EPA’s own data, 30 million Americans rely on water sources likely contaminated by coal plant wastewater. These pollutants can cause cancer, birth defects, and other health problems, as well as harm fish and wildlife downstream.
In 2024, the EPA finalized strong Clean Water Act standards to stop these toxic discharges. These rules require plants to install affordable, available technology and achieve zero discharge of pollutants from key wastewater streams. Now, under pressure from industry, EPA wants to push back compliance deadlines and create new loopholes that let power plants keep polluting.
This proposal would delay reductions of over 660 million pounds of pollutants per year, prolonging contamination of the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and waterways across the Midwest. Communities should not have to wait longer for clean water.
Tell EPA to reject this proposal and enforce the wastewater standards now.
