New regulations released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency aim to tackle the cleanup of legacy coal ash ponds, requiring stringent measures to prevent groundwater contamination.
The regulations extend 2015 rules, demanding closure of coal ash ponds that contact groundwater.
Utilities are mandated to monitor and rectify any leaks, and ensure groundwater is cleaned from contaminants.
The new rules could face challenges due to varying state regulations and potential political shifts post-election.
Key quote:
"EPA’s new rule is aimed at cleaning up coal plants once and for all."
— Lisa Evans, senior attorney at Earthjustice
Why this matters:
Legacy coal ash ponds, the often unlined pits where power plants have historically disposed of the ash residue from burning coal, pose significant environmental and health risks, particularly to groundwater systems. Over time, these ponds can leak hazardous contaminants like arsenic, mercury, and lead into nearby groundwater, which many communities rely on for drinking, bathing, and irrigation.
Biden's policy team could hit roadblocks as they contend with the breadth of environmental measures rolled back by the Trump administration — and differences within his own party on how to address them.
Georgia Power paid top dollar to buy land from residents living near waste sites at its power plants. Environmentalists fear it’s a tactic to forestall the cleanup bill from new regulations for coal ash.
