EPA’s New Coal Waste Flexibility Helps Few Power Utilities

Few coal-fired power plants are expected to take advantage of the EPA’s latest waste regulation—but even those that do could significantly harm the environment, environmental groups say.

The Environmental Protection Agency final rule (RIN:2050-AH11) earlier this month creates a procedure for utilities to request approval to use certain natural coal ash landfill and pond liners, which are intended to protect the surrounding environment from coal ash contamination. The rule offers a lifeline to coal-fired power plants that may have shut down if the agency had issued strict disposal requirements.

Utilities must show their natural ...