EPA Proposes Rule to Loosen Power Plant Coal Ash Regulations

The EPA Thursday proposed several revisions to coal waste regulations it says would reduce the need for disposal, a move conservation groups said will put public health at risk.

The regulations affect coal combustion residuals, which come from burning coal at power plants. The residuals contain contaminants such as mercury, cadmium and arsenic that can pollute air and drinking water. They can also be reused in different products and materials, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The agency said its rule would “set protective and uniform standards for CCR storage piles” in order to decrease the use of ...