The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on November 25 a proposal to extend the closure deadline for certain coal combustion residuals (CCR) surface impoundments operating under the alternative closure provisions.
This proposal would defer the deadline from October 17, 2028, to October 17, 2031, for a small subset of owners and operators to cease operation of coal-fired boilers and complete the closure of unlined CCR surface impoundments larger than 40 acres.
This extension would apply to CCR surface impoundments operating under the alternative closure provisions for permanent cessation of a coal-fired boiler by a certain date.
Unlined pits that hold waste from coal-fired power plants can contaminate groundwater. Previously, NGWA has observed that the impacts of unlined and clay-lined coal ash surface impoundments to groundwater quality have been well documented, posing endangerment to groundwater sources of private, public, and homeowner water systems.
NGWA has also expressed preference for a shortened time to end CCR accumulation in unlined surface impoundments.
The EPA is seeking comments on this proposal through January 7, 2026. The EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on this proposal on January 6, 2026. Get a copy of the pre-publication notice and more information on how to comment.