Trump Administration Proposes Weakening Coal Ash Disposal Rules

The EPA plan would ease monitoring and cleanup standards for toxic coal waste, drawing criticism from environmental groups.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:33pm

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A conceptual illustration featuring overlapping, fractured geometric shapes in shades of gray, blue, and brown, depicting the smokestack of a coal power plant emitting plumes of smoke, conveying the idea of environmental pollution and regulatory changes.The Trump administration's proposal to relax coal ash disposal rules could expose communities to toxic pollution, critics warn.Michigan City Today

The Trump administration has proposed weakening federal regulations on the disposal of coal ash, a waste product containing hazardous heavy metals that can contaminate groundwater. The proposal would ease standards for monitoring and protecting groundwater near coal ash sites, and roll back rules requiring the cleanup of entire coal plant properties. Environmental groups argue this would open the door for companies to leave coal ash sitting in groundwater, undermining key protections.

Why it matters

Coal ash disposal has been a major environmental concern, with disasters like the 2008 Tennessee spill highlighting the risks of improper storage. The Biden administration had strengthened coal ash rules as part of a wider crackdown on pollution from coal-fired power plants. This proposal marks a reversal, aligning with the Trump administration's efforts to boost the fossil fuel industry and roll back environmental regulations.

The details

The EPA's proposal would make it easier for states and other regulators to grant exemptions from national coal ash disposal standards. It would also lift restrictions on the 'beneficial use' of coal ash in products like cement. The agency claims the health risks from coal ash have been overstated and that the cost savings justify the changes.

  • In 2022, the Biden-era EPA rebuffed an attempt by the Gen. James Gavin Power Plant in Ohio to close a coal ash disposal site in contact with groundwater.
  • In January 2025, with Trump back in the White House, coal industry entities asked EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to revise the agency's stance on coal ash.

The players

Lee Zeldin

EPA Administrator under the Trump administration who proposed the coal ash rule changes.

Nick Torrey

An attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, a nonprofit that opposes the proposed rule changes.

John Mavretich

Executive director of the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, an industry association that supports the EPA's efforts to provide more flexibility in implementing coal ash regulations.

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What they’re saying

“Opening the door to leaving ash in groundwater undermines one of the central protections of this rule, and that's essentially what this does.”

— Nick Torrey, Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center

“EPA's recent unprecedented expansion of the federal (coal ash) regulations has needlessly diverted funds from the power sector's efforts to meet the Nation's growing energy needs; increased costs for power companies and consumers without corresponding benefits to public health or the environment.”

— John Mavretich, Executive Director, Utility Solid Waste Activities Group

“The Trump administration just took a sledgehammer to the health protections in place for toxic coal pollution. This is yet another handout to the coal power industry at the expense of our health, water, and wallets.”

— Lisa Evans, Senior Counsel, Earthjustice

What’s next

The EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule changes before finalizing any revisions.

The takeaway

This move by the Trump administration marks a significant rollback of environmental protections for coal ash disposal, prioritizing cost savings for the fossil fuel industry over public health and environmental concerns. It underscores the administration's efforts to boost the coal sector, even as the industry faces growing challenges from cleaner energy alternatives.