Press Release
Legislators from 35 states oppose EPA’s proposed rollbacks to federal coal ash rules
January 22, 2020
Over 160 members of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL), representing 35 states, have signed a letter in opposition to two recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposals to weaken water pollution limits for coal plants and rollback critical human health and safety standards for toxic coal ash.
These rollbacks would allow millions of gallons of toxic wastewater to be dumped into waters daily, even though the technology to eliminate this pollution is widely used and affordable. It would also allow leaking ash dumps to continue to accept toxic waste.
The letter, spearheaded by North Carolina State Representative Pricey Harrison, cites the issues with these rollbacks and why they threaten the communities these legislators serve.
The signed legislators urge the EPA to withdraw these dangerous proposals and instead commit to adequately protecting human health and the environment from coal plant water pollution and toxic coal ash waste.