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Power companies pressure Trump EPA to roll back rules on toxic coal ash

Summary

A coalition of U.S. power companies is urging the Trump administration to weaken coal ash regulations, arguing that cleanup requirements are overly burdensome. In a letter to EPA nominee Lee Zeldin, executives from 12 power companies requested the rollback of rules that mandate coal ash cleanup at legacy sites and prohibit its use in landfills. They also called for rescinding enforcement actions, including at Ohio’s Gavin Power Plant, which could set a legal precedent for stricter regulations. Environmental advocates warn that these rollbacks would worsen groundwater contamination, as most coal ash sites are already leaking toxins. The EPA had prioritized coal ash enforcement under Biden, but industry groups are leveraging legal challenges and lobbying efforts to reverse regulations. Experts caution that any regulatory rollback must undergo a formal rulemaking process and could face lawsuits if it disregards environmental risks.

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