EPA Clamps Down On Coal Ash Sites, Setting Broad Enforcement Precedent

Setting a precedent for scores of coal ash sites, EPA has taken first-time action to crack down on a handful of ash disposal sites, denying several requests from utilities to continue operation of unlined, leaking ponds while also spotlighting inadequate protections for impoundments in compliance notices sent to other power plants. And in a Jan. 11 announcement , the agency also reiterated plans to write strict new rules. EPA “will improve the current rules by finalizing a federal permitting program...