Advocates Fear Agency Will Avoid Enforcing Coal Ash Regulations
Coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal for electricity, has been a growing concern for environmentalists and communities across the United States. It contains toxic chemicals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury, which can contaminate water sources and pose a threat to public health. In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced regulations to address the safe disposal of coal ash, but advocates now fear that the agency will not enforce these regulations, putting millions of tons of coal ash at risk of causing harm.
The EPA’s Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule was established to regulate the disposal of coal ash, requiring power plants to monitor and manage their waste more closely. However, the recent changes in the EPA’s leadership and policies have raised concerns among advocates that the agency will not enforce these regulations, leaving communities vulnerable to the harmful effects of coal ash.
Lisa Evans, an attorney with Earthjustice, a non-profit environmental law organization, expressed her concerns, stating, “We are extremely worried that the EPA will justify avoiding any enforcement whatsoever of millions of tons of coal ash nationwide.”
The EPA’s current leadership has a history of downplaying the risks of coal ash and has even proposed weakening the CCR rule. In addition, the agency has recently announced that it will no longer pursue enforcement actions against power plants that fail to comply with the CCR rule. This has caused alarm among advocates who fear that the EPA will not hold power plants accountable for their coal ash disposal practices.
Coal ash is often stored in unlined pits or ponds, which can leak and contaminate groundwater. According to a report by the Environmental Integrity Project, 91% of coal-fired power plants in the US have reported groundwater contamination from coal ash. This contamination can have severe consequences for nearby communities, including increased risk of cancer, birth defects, and other health issues.
The lack of enforcement of the CCR rule could have devastating effects on communities and the environment. In 2014, a coal ash spill in North Carolina caused a major environmental disaster, releasing 39,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan River. The spill contaminated the river and left residents with contaminated water and a damaged ecosystem. This disaster serves as a reminder of the importance of enforcing regulations to prevent such incidents from happening.
Advocates are also concerned about the potential for coal ash to be reclassified as a non-hazardous material, which would result in less stringent regulations and monitoring. This would allow power plants to dispose of coal ash in ways that could be even more harmful to the environment and public health.
The EPA’s lack of enforcement of the CCR rule is not only a threat to public health but also a violation of the agency’s duty to protect the environment. The EPA was created to ensure that our air and water are safe and clean, and it is their responsibility to enforce regulations that protect these resources.
In response to these concerns, a coalition of environmental and community groups has filed a petition urging the EPA to enforce the CCR rule and hold power plants accountable for their coal ash disposal practices. The petition also calls for the EPA to maintain the current classification of coal ash as a hazardous material.
The EPA has a responsibility to protect communities and the environment from the harmful effects of coal ash. By not enforcing the CCR rule, the agency is failing to fulfill its duty and putting the health and well-being of millions of Americans at risk. It is imperative that the EPA takes action to ensure that power plants are properly managing their coal ash waste and that communities are not left to bear the consequences of their negligence.
In conclusion, the fear of advocates that the EPA will avoid enforcing the CCR rule is a valid concern. The agency’s lack of action and proposed policy changes could have dire consequences for communities and the environment. It is crucial that the EPA fulfills its duty to protect public health and the environment by enforcing regulations and holding power plants accountable for their coal ash disposal practices. The health and well-being of communities across the country depend on it.
