Press Release

April 09, 2026

EPA Weakens Rules Protecting Groundwater from Toxic Coal Ash Contamination

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule to roll back safeguards that keep toxic coal ash waste from contaminating groundwater. Coal ash is the toxic waste left over from burning coal, and the current rules require the coal industry to clean up contaminated sites and prevent coal ash from contaminating groundwater. 

Exposure to coal ash contaminants has been linked to increased risks of cancer, heart and thyroid disease, cognitive impairment, respiratory disorders, prenatal mortality, and other serious health problems.  

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Statement from Nancy Stoner, Senior Attorney, ELPC:

“Environmental protection does not get much more straightforward than preventing toxic, carcinogenic heavy metals from contaminating our drinking water. Yet this rule would allow just that, letting coal companies walk away from cleaning up coal ash and leaving everyday Americans to live with the consequences. While this administration talks about making America healthy, the Trump EPA is doing the exact opposite and jeopardizing public health. Enforcing these safeguards is exactly EPA’s duty, and it cannot be permitted to abandon that responsibility.”