Fighting For Protections From Coal Ash

For decades, coal ash has polluted our waters and our communities. We will not let polluter profits triumph over public health.

Case Overview

Coal ash, the toxic remains of coal burning in power plants, is full of chemicals that cause cancer, developmental disorders and reproductive problems. It poisons our water and kills fish and wildlife. But despite the threat, both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the White House have done little to protect the waters we drink from coal ash contamination.

After our long court battle to get the first-ever federal safeguards on coal ash dumps, these hard-won protections are now endangered. The Trump administration is now moving to pull back the protections outlined in a settlement Earthjustice won on behalf of ten public interest groups and the Moapa Band of Paiutes.

We fight in the courts for a long-term solution to this toxic menace: strong, enforceable federal rules protecting our water and our health from exposure to toxic coal ash pollution. And we act on behalf of dozens of clients and coalition partners to defeat legislative attempts to subvert federally enforceable safeguards of coal ash

We need strong safeguards that protect our health and our environment. Polluters don’t want to clean up their toxic mess and are pressuring the EPA and Congress to ignore this growing problem. But together, we can illuminate the coal ash problem and push decision-makers to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink.

The devastating coal ash spill in Kingston, TN, in December of 2008.
The devastating coal ash spill in Kingston, TN, in December of 2008. (Photo by Tennessee Valley Authority)

Case Updates

The Stanton Energy Center coal plant and coal ash storage located near Orlando, Florida.
July 14, 2026 Press Release

EPA Floats Plan to Speed Up Its Dismantling of Coal Ash Protections

The scheme would speed up the implementation of EPA’s efforts to gut coal ash protections

June 29, 2026 document

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 EPA to abandon the proposal.

The Stanton Energy Center coal plant and coal ash storage located near Orlando, Florida.
May 27, 2026 From the Experts

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

How the Trump EPA is weakening safeguards against toxic coal ash pollution.