#COALFIREDPOWERPLANTS #EPARULEMAKINGS #CCRandRECLAMATION EPA PROPOSES REVISIONS TO FEDERAL WASTEWATER AND COAL ASH REGULATIONS Newsletter Posted on June 1, 2026 Comments on both proposals are due Jun 12 2026 (If you wish to submit comments, you can navigate to the EPA Rule page, which will have the docket number and links to all comments filed for the proposal if you wish to pick up ideas or clarify these technical regs.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed two major revisions to federal environmental regulations affecting coal-fired power plants, signaling a significant shift in federal policy and a broader effort to support continued coal-based electricity generation. The proposed changes, announced in a pair of rulemakings in April and May 2026, will revise portions of the 2024 Effluent Limitations Guidelines and the Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rules that had imposed stricter treatment and disposal requirements on utilities. 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 COMBUSTION RESIDUALS (CCR). 2026 Proposed Amendments to the Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations epa.gov/coal-combustion-resi… CCR Rule Summary On April 9, 2026, EPA announced a proposal to amend several provisions of the federal regulations governing the disposal of CCR in landfills and surface impoundments and the beneficial use for CCR in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations in Part 257. Coal combustion residuals (CCR) can be used in different products and materials. CCR can be beneficially used to replace virgin materials removed from the earth, conserving natural resources. EPA encourages the beneficial use of CCR in an appropriate and protective manner because this practice can produce environmental, economic, and product benefits such as: **reduced use of virgin resources. **reduced cost of coal combustion residuals disposal. **improved strength and durability of materials. Coal surface mining reclamation ties in directly with EPA disposal rules when operators use "minefilling"—the practice of placing toxic coal ash or Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) from power plants back into active or abandoned mine voids. This couples land reclamation goals with federal waste and water protection standards. On April 9, 2026, EPA announced a proposal to revise the definition of beneficial use, add a definition of CCR storage pile, and exclude specific beneficial uses from the federal CCR regulations. While the beneficial use of coal combustion residuals has these potential benefits, the environmental impacts associated with their use should also be considered. Cite: An EPA Proposed Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 04/13/2026 federalregister.gov/document…