Proposed Coal-Ash Rule Fix Pushes Sides to New Debate

摘要

Bowing to industry's push, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now proposes changes in Obama-era federal rules for power plant coal-ash disposal enacted in 2015 after several major spills, aiming to let states provide local oversight and enforcement. Environmentalists are concerned the changes will eliminate what they say are "bright lines" of specific federal requirements and allow states to set less stringent standards, but some states say they are retaining tough mandates in their programs. EPA on March 8 published in the Federal Register the first of two rule amendments, claiming they allow states to incorporate more local flexibility into coal-ash permit mandates. The agency estimates the changes would save more than 400 coal-fired plants nationwide up to $100 million a year. The 2015 rule was prompted by a dike breach at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston, Tenn., coal-fired plant that spilled 5.4 million cu yd of coal-ash slurry into the Clinch River. The rule required utilities to install by last October groundwater monitoring wells for leaks at surface impoundments, with monitoring data made public. It also set pollution limits and closure rules but did not require a permit, so the disclosed monitoring data became a citizens' enforcement provision.