Jessica King, jessica.king@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, EPA announced a new proposal to strengthen water pollution safeguards and protect communities from toxic wastewater discharged by coal-fired power plants.
The proposed Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) would require coal plants to eliminate the discharge of millions of pounds of arsenic, lead, mercury, selenium and other toxic metals discharged into our nation’s rivers, lakes, and streams every year. EPA found that filtration technologies to dramatically eliminate these pollutants are readily available and cost-effective, and estimates the proposed rule will reduce discharges by 580 million pounds of pollutants per year. The proposal would also eliminate toxic scrubber and bottom ash wastewater discharges and address sludge collected at the bottom of coal ash landfills, which is often held for years then released into nearby rivers.
EPA’s proposed water pollution safeguards for coal plants are accompanied by an environmental justice analysis, which indicates historically marginalized communities can expect to see direct improvements in water quality if this proposal is finalized.
EPA will accept public comment on the proposal for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register, and will hold virtual public hearings on the proposal on April 20 and 25, 2023.
In response, Sierra Club Senior Director of Energy Campaigns Holly Bender released the following statement:
“Coal plant wastewater is full of pollutants that are dangerous to our health and our natural spaces. While coal plants are releasing toxic chemicals and sludge into our waterways, affordable technologies exist to eliminate nearly all of the toxic metals and other chemicals in power plant wastewater–and many plants are already using them.
“We’re pleased the Biden Administration is holding utilities accountable and taking action against big polluters using our rivers and streams as their personal trash can. Now, we look forward to digging deeper into today’s proposal and working with EPA to ensure this proposal makes a real difference in communities and waters across the country.”
Background:
The Clean Water Act’s Effluent Limitation Guidelines program requires EPA to set pollution limits for discharges from various industries. Prior to being finalized in 2015, the ELGs for the power plant industry had not been updated since 1982, despite the fact that coal-burning power plants and other steam electric power plants are the largest toxic water polluters in the country. Coal-fired power plants are responsible for an estimated 30% of all toxic pollution dumped into surface waters. In 2017, the Trump EPA halted implementation of the 2015 rule, and then significantly weakened its protections in 2020.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.