The Environmental Protection Agency plans to strengthen a rule that forces the clean-up of toxic waste from power plants. The agency announced a proposal that requires a safe management of coal ash dumped in landfills and ponds.
According to聽, this new rule holds the polluters responsible for both controlling and cleaning the coal ash. Coal ash is a byproduct of burning coal.聽
It鈥檚 extremely polluting and can contain mercury, chromium, and arsenic, which cause serious health issues in people.
鈥淓nsuring the health and safety of all people is EPA鈥檚 top priority, and this proposed rule represents a crucial step toward safeguarding the air, groundwater, streams, and drinking water that communities depend on,鈥� Regan said in a statement. Many of these communities have been disproportionately impacted by pollution for far too long,鈥� he said, noting that power plants, chemical plants, and other large industrial sites are commonly located in poor and minority neighborhoods.鈥�
If the rule is successful, it鈥檒l protect underserved and minority communities that already struggle with pollution.
The rule is the newest step in the Biden administration鈥檚 efforts to reduce pollution. Last week, the EPA also imposed new limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas power plants.
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