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document October 13, 2026

Earthjustice comments on EPA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding a General Permit Option for Coal Ash

Earthjustice submitted these comments on behalf of environmental groups in response to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement that it is considering one or more general permits that would allow…
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
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.
In the News: Chicago Tribune August 26, 2026

Coal ash by Vermilion River raises alarms amid heavy rains

Jenny Cassel, Attorney, Midwest Office: “The Consent Order provides for stipulated penalties for failure to comply with a variety of provisions in the Order; we continue to evaluate the appropriate follow-up in this situation.”
Drawing of the planned riverbank erosion mitigation project along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, from the project report submitted by Dynegy Midwest Generation.
Press Release August 11, 2026

As Illinois EPA Delays Removal of Toxic Coal Ash, Erosion Passes Critical ‘Trigger Point’ Along Middle Fork

Four years later, coal ash removal plan still awaits Illinois EPA approval
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 R.S. Nelson coal fired-power plant in 2004, in Westlake, La. (Jamie Gates / AP Photo / American Press)
Press Release August 4, 2026

Trump Administration’s Plan to Put Louisiana in Charge of Toxic Coal Ash Pollution Threatens Sources of Drinking Water

Testing at all Louisiana coal plants found groundwater contamination above federal safe drinking water standards
The now-closed Waukegan Generating Station, on the shore of Lake Michigan in Waukegan, Ill. The coal-fired power plant still has sizable coal ash ponds threatening the environment. (Jamie Kelter Davis for Earthjustice)
feature October 20, 2025

Toxic Coal Ash in Illinois: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Massive quantities of coal ash are stored at 26 power plant sites in Illinois.
FirstEnergy's Little Blue Run coal ash impoundment, built in 1975 and containing coal ash from the Bruce Mansfield Power Plant, is the largest unlined coal ash pond in the United States, spanning Pennsylvania and West Virginia. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
feature September 2, 2025

Toxic Coal Ash in Pennsylvania: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Massive quantities of toxic coal ash are stored at 26 current and former power plant sites in Pennsylvania.
Cooling tower at the Michigan City Generating Station, Michigan City, Indiana. (Just Transition NWI)
feature September 2, 2025

Toxic Coal Ash in Indiana: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Massive quantities of coal ash are stored at 24 current and former power plants sites in Indiana.
Press Release July 23, 2026

EPA Will Allow Salt River Project to Continue to Recklessly Dump Toxic Coal Ash

EPA proposes to grant SRP’s request to evade wastewater regulations for its coal ash pond at the Coronado Generating Station in Apache County
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
document June 29, 2026

Letter to EPA Administrator Zeldin on Coal Ash, Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities; Legacy/CCRMU Amendments, 91 Federal Register 18968, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OLEM–2020–0107

Earthjustice joined 195 public interest groups and individuals from multiple states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, to oppose the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Legacy/CCRMU Amendments Rule and call on the…
The Gavin Power Plant in Cheshire, Ohio, looms over neighboring homes in 2002. (Stephanie Keith / Getty Images)
feature September 2, 2025

Toxic Coal Ash in Ohio: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Massive quantities of toxic coal ash are stored at 28 current and former power plant sites in Ohio, more locations than any other state.
A South Texas rancher looks out over his family’s land that has been contaminated by pollutants from the San Miguel Electric Plant, in the background. (Ari Phillips / EIP)
feature September 3, 2025

Toxic Coal Ash in Texas: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Massive quantities of toxic coal ash are stored at 19 coal-burning power plant sites in Texas.
The Stanton Energy Center coal plant and coal ash storage located near Orlando, Florida. (J Henry Fair for Earthjustice / <a href="https://www.jhenryfair.com/" class="a_color--black">jhenryfair.com</a>)
From the Experts May 27, 2026

EPA’s New Coal Ash Proposal Is a Gift to Polluters

How the Trump EPA is weakening safeguards against toxic coal ash pollution.
In the News: Indianapolis Star July 13, 2026

Indiana seeks coal ash program as feds move to rollback regulations

Gavin Kearney, Deputy Managing Attorney, Clean Energy Program: “Imagine a concerned community trying to figure out what a permit is actually trying to do and who is responsible for it. It adds up to a lot of confusion and makes it hard for folks to understand if their water is…
The George Neal North Plant in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (Map data ©2023 Imagery ©2023 , CNES / Airbus, Landsat / Copernicus, Maxar Technologies, USDA/FPAC/GEO)
feature September 2, 2025

Toxic Coal Ash in Iowa: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Massive quantities of toxic coal ash are stored at 19 power plant sites in Iowa.