EPA proposes weakening coal ash groundwater monitoring requirements

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin proposed a rule rolling back groundwater monitoring standards at coal ash storage sites and making it easier for power plants to reuse coal ash without cleanup. The proposal would apply to both active and closed coal ash sites, eliminating requirements that entire coal properties — not just active dump areas — be assessed for contamination. Zeldin called the changes "commonsense," while environmental groups noted that more than 90% of U.S. coal plants were already leaking toxic metals into groundwater in violation of existing law.