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Power plants are one of the biggest sources of water pollution in the country. Power plant water discharges are filled with toxic pollution such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium.
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Photo)
Press Release May 14, 2026

Trump’s EPA Moves to Ax Requirement that Coal Plants Treat Toxic Wastewater Seeping into Lakes and Rivers

EPA proposes to rollback requirements on the amount of arsenic and mercury that coal power plants are allowed to discharge
Coal ash ponds sit next to the decommissioned Wood River Power Station in East Alton, Ill. in 2018. The power plant was demolished in early 2021. (Prairie Rivers Network)
From the Experts May 4, 2026

Federal Coal Ash Safeguards are Under Attack: What Does it Mean for Illinois?

Prairie Rivers Network interviewed Earthjustice attorneys Jenny Cassel and Mychal Ozaeta.
feature May 4, 2026

Coal Ash: Reports & Publications

Documenting the public health threat from coal ash, the hazardous waste that remains after coal is burned
document May 2, 2026

Fact Sheet: EPA Prepares to Gut Coal Ash Safeguards and Cleanup Requirements

Under the current Trump administration, the EPA has begun to systematically gut protections that would otherwise force the coal industry to clean up its toxic coal ash.
From the Experts April 17, 2026

EPA’s Disastrous New Proposal Guts Coal Ash Rules – As Coal Plants Nationwide Pollute Water Supplies

EPA’s new proposed coal ash rule would permit widespread contamination from toxic chemicals in coal ash.
The now-closed Waukegan Generating Station, on the shore of Lake Michigan in Waukegan, Illinois. The coal fired power plant still has sizable coal ash ponds threatening the environment. (Jamie Kelter Davis for Earthjustice)
Press Release April 9, 2026

EPA Proposes to Gut Federal Coal Ash Cleanup Requirements and Health Protections

Earthjustice will sue to stop the EPA from rewriting the rules for coal power companies’ toxic sludge
Press Release: Victory March 11, 2026

Illinois EPA Denies NRG’s Inadequate “Preliminary” Closure Proposal and Monitoring Plan for Toxic Coal Ash at Lincoln Stone Quarry

Citizens Against Ruining the Environment (CARE), Earthjustice, Prairie River Network, and Sierra Club celebrate the decision to ensure better monitoring and clean-up of coal ash at the highly-polluted quarry
People rally outside of an EPA public hearing on coal ash in Chicago, Illinois in 2023 (Jamie Kelter Davis for Earthjustice)
Article March 5, 2026

People Are Furious About Coal Ash Deregulation

Folks nationwide feel the Trump administration's EPA is abandoning its responsibility to protect communities, and they are speaking out.
Coal ash is the waste that remains when coal is burned in power plants to generate electricity. (Nenad Zivkovic / Shutterstock)
Press Release February 6, 2026

Trump EPA Delays Cleanup of Hundreds of Coal Ash Dumps in Advance of Larger Rollback

The rule comes just days before a deadline for owners to report on previously unregulated coal ash dumping at power plant sites
document January 16, 2026

USWAG Letter on CCR Priorities

Letter from the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on coal combustion residuals.
document January 16, 2026

USWAG: Whitepaper on Closure-in-Place

Whitepaper from the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group on closing coal combustion residuals units by leaving coal ash in place.
In the News: Canary Media January 9, 2026

EPA plans to give 11 coal plants a free pass on toxic ash disposal

Press Release November 25, 2025

EPA Proposes to Delay Closure of Some of the Largest Toxic Coal Ash Ponds, in Violation of the Law

Trump’s EPA proposal would allow EPA to grant 11 coal power plants extensions to continue dumping toxic coal ash in unlined ponds until October 17, 2031
document November 3, 2025

Comments to EPA on Wyoming coal ash waste

Earthjustice and other organizations submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency in opposition to giving Wyoming oversight over coal ash waste.
Empire State Building and Manhattan skyline, New York City. Buildings are the city’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. (Matteo Colombo / Getty Images)
feature October 22, 2025

Northeast Regional Report Fall 2025

In the Northeast, our work is helping to keep us moving forward in the fight for environmental and climate justice, clean air and water, and the right to a healthy…