Alabama environmental advocates urge EPA not to change coal ash rules: ‘do more, not less’
People can still comment on the proposed changes until June 12, which affect how toxic sludge in the state is regulated.
Ethan Parker 
Environmental advocates across Alabama are sounding the alarm, urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen rather than soften regulations surrounding coal ash disposal. During a recent all-day public hearing, opponents of proposed changes to federal rules argued that the current plans could pose significant risks to residents and the environment.
A Call for Stricter Oversight
The EPA's proposed rule changes, introduced in April, have drawn sharp criticism. Eva Dillard, an attorney with the Birmingham-based Black Warrior Riverkeeper, pulled no punches during the hearing, stating, “We know with certainty more people will get sick and die” if the agency proceeds with these shifts. Critics argue that the proposal would relax vital standards for both active and closed coal ash sites.
Coal ash—the toxic byproduct of burning coal—contains hazardous metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium. The danger of mismanaged waste was highlighted by the 2008 Kingston Coal Ash spill in Tennessee. Reports indicate that more than 30 cleanup workers died and over 250 became chronically ill following that disaster.
The Situation in Alabama
Alabama is home to nine coal ash sites containing an estimated 117 million tons of coal ash. Dillard noted that the state's coal-fired plants have historically disposed of 15 million pounds of heavy metals into these mounds annually. Currently, the Black Warrior River watershed features three Alabama Power sites: the Miller Steam Plant, the retired Gorgas plant, and the Greene County plant.
The proposed EPA changes have created a wave of uncertainty regarding how these sites will be managed. Of particular concern is the Barry Steam Plant near Mobile, where approximately 22 million cubic yards of ash sit near the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. Cade Kistler of Mobile Baykeeper criticized a provision that would allow monitoring wells to be moved further from ponds, potentially placing them directly under the Mobile River. “This change would allow utilities to continue polluting waterways with no means of detecting that pollution at the source,” Kistler testified.
Industry Response
In response to the concerns, Alabama Power spokesperson Alyson Tucker stated that the company maintains a “rigorous compliance program” and remains committed to working with state and federal authorities to provide clean, safe, and reliable energy. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)—which manages closed sites at the Colbert and Widows Creek Fossil Plants—emphasized its move toward dry handling and improved groundwater monitoring.
How to Weigh In
The public still has time to make their voices heard. The EPA has already received over 24,000 comments on the proposed regulatory changes, and citizens can continue to submit feedback online until June 12. For more information on how the amendments may affect specific site categories, residents are encouraged to review the official EPA documentation.
