EPA Denied Alabama’s Application to Manage Coal Ash Permit Program

EPA denied Alabama’s application to run a federally-approved state permit program to manage coal ash landfills and impoundments, finding that the state’s program is “significantly less protective of people and waterways” than federal law. Coal ash is produced when coal is burned in power plants and contains heavy metals and other toxic chemicals that cause serious health effects if not managed properly. Under RCRA, EPA can approve a state to implement a federal permitting program for coal ash if the state’s program is at least as protective as federal law. EPA found that Alabama’s permit program does not require facilities to control groundwater contamination when closing coal ash units. Click here for more information on Alabama’s application and EPA’s final decision.