Environmentalists challenge EPA rule they say will gut coal ash disposal regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Environmental groups are challenging an EPA rule they say will gut coal ash disposal regulations aimed at protecting Indiana citizens living near toxic coal ash waste sites.
The courts have already agreed the risks posed by coal ash can no longer be ignored, and that’s why we’re fighting this most-recent Wheeler roll back."
“The courts are telling EPA that the coal ash rule is not strong enough, and meanwhile EPA is trying to weaken the rule.
It’s absurd.
The American people deserve better.” "It’s clear the Trump administration doesn’t value protecting human health, especially if corporate special interests could be slightly inconvenienced," said Jennifer Peters, National Water Programs Director for Clean Water Action.
"This outrageous scheme would let coal plants put communities, families, and water at risk with impunity.
As RTV6 reported in April, the Hoosier Environmental Council’s Environmental Health Director testified to the federal Environmental Protection Agency about the dangers of coal ash pollution generated by coal-fired power plants.
“Fifteen Indiana power plants released groundwater monitoring reports last month, and all of them show contamination of the groundwater so that it exceeds either a drinking water standard, health advisory, or tap water screening level,” testified Dr. Indra Frank, the Hoosier Environmental Council’s Environmental Health Director in April.
The Hoosier Environmental Council pointed to a new report showing dangerous levels of coal ash contamination around the state.
IPL’s Harding Street plant burned coal up until February 2016, and the byproducts are stored in unlined coal ash lagoons.

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