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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
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
document August 4, 2026

Comments Opposing Louisiana Primacy of Coal Combustion Residuals Permit Program

Earthjustice, the Alliance for Affordable Energy Louisiana, and the Sierra Club filed these comments opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to let the state of Louisiana run its own Coal…
In the News: Canary Media July 29, 2026

EPA proposals to keep Indiana coal going would threaten drinking water

Thom Cmar, Deputing Managing Attorney, Midwest Regional Office: “EPA is, under this administration, pulling every possible lever when it comes to every possible environmental rule to try to keep coal plants running for as long as possible.”
In the News: Canary Media July 29, 2026

EPA proposals to keep Indiana coal going would threaten drinking water

Lisa Evans, Senior Counsel, Clean Energy Program: “This EPA is eradicating environmental and health protections and will make Americans sicker [and] poorer, and destroy irreplaceable water resources.”
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 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>)
Press Release July 14, 2026

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
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…
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…
In the News: Inside EPA June 2, 2026

CCR Rollbacks

Gavin Kearney, Attorney, Clean Energy Program: “EPA justifies each proposed change with a handful of assertions from industry actors, regularly stating that a proposed change is warranted because Company X claims this or Company Y claims that. Just two years ago, EPA took action to regulate hundreds of coal ash…
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.
Sandhill cranes congregate in a coal ash pond next to Schahfer Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, while it operates, Feb. 9, 2026, in Wheatfield, Ind. (Chicago Tribune / TCA)
Press Release May 27, 2026

EPA Moves to Establish a Federal Permit Program to Allow More Coal Ash Pollution

Today the EPA dusted off a proposal from the first Trump administration
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.