Finally, Coal Ash Rule Out by End of 2014

By Jennifer Peters, National Water Campaign Coordinator (Follow Jennifer on Twitter - @EarthAvenger) Update - February 18, 2014: Click here to tell EPA to Put Drinking Water First and Protect Communities from Coal Ash! After years of delay, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will finalize a coal ash disposal rule by December 19, 2014.  This is great news and a step in the right direction. It’s also a testament to the power of sustained activism in the court of public opinion and the federal courts. This announcement is the result of a lawsuit settlement brought by public interest groups and the Moapa Band of Paiute tribe in Nevada.  EPA first proposed a coal ash rule in June 2010, largely in response to public outcry following the catastrophic coal ash spill in Tennessee in December 2008 that buried several homes and contaminated nearby streams.  But progress has languished since, despite hundreds of thousands of Americans calling for action. Yesterday’s settlement agreement does not dictate the substance of a final rule, contrary to what industry groups are saying.  This announcement gives relief to communities across the country whose lives have been contaminated by coal ash. Once finalized, this rule will be the first-ever federal regulation of coal ash waste.  Clean Water Action will continue to work with our allies and impacted communities to push EPA to finalize a strong rule that has enforceable, minimum health and safety standards to protect the public and the environment from toxic coal ash pollution. For more information, check out this timeline of coal ash from our friends at Earthjustice.