EPA completes first revisions to 2015 coal ash disposal regulations
Published by Stephanie Roker,
Editor
World Coal,
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalised the first set of revisions to the 2015 regulations for the disposal of coal combustion residuals, also known as CCR or coal ash, from electric utilities and independent power producers. The first set of revisions provides utilities and states more flexibility in how CCR is managed, and saves between US$28 - 31 million/y in regulatory costs.
“These amendments provide states and utilities much-needed flexibility in the management of coal ash, while ensuring human health and the environment are protected,” said Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Our actions mark a significant departure from the one size fits all policies of the past and save tens of millions of dollars in regulatory costs.”
Additional flexibilities in today’s rule make it possible for states to tailor coal ash disposal requirements based on site specific risk considerations.
These revisions respond to stakeholders’ comments on the proposal and better align the rule with the anticipated timing of EPA’s potential revisions to the Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Source Category.
Background
In 2015, minimum national standards were established for the location, design, and operation of existing and new landfills and surface impoundments containing coal ash at more than 400 coal-fired power plants nationwide. In March 2018, EPA proposed more than a dozen changes to these regulations, a subset of which are incorporated into a final regulation today.
EPA finalised two types of alternative performance standards:
Allowing a state director (in a state with an approved coal ash permit programme) or EPA (where EPA is the permitting authority) to suspend groundwater monitoring requirements if there is evidence that there is no potential for migration of hazardous constituents to the uppermost aquifer during the active life of the unit and post closure care.
Allowing issuance of technical certifications in lieu of a professional engineer.
In addition, EPA is revising the groundwater protection standard for constituents that do not have an established drinking water standard, also known as a maximum contaminant level (MCL). EPA is also extending the deadline by which facilities must cease placement of waste in coal ash units closing for cause for two situations:
Where the facility has detected a statistically significant increase above a groundwater protection standard from an unlined surface impoundment.
Where the unit is unable to comply with the location restriction regarding placement above the uppermost aquifer.
Provisions from the March 2018 proposed rule that are not being finalized today will be addressed in a subsequent phase of rulemaking. In addition, EPA plans to propose other changes to the 2015 coal ash rule later this year.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/19072018/epa-completes-first-revisions-to-2015-coal-ash-disposal-regulations/
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