The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a plan to transfer the oversight of coal ash disposal from federal control to the state of Louisiana. This move would allow the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to manage the permitting of coal combustion residuals, commonly known as coal ash, in local landfills and surface impoundments.
Coal ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants, and its regulation is crucial for protecting human health and the environment. The EPA has reviewed Louisiana’s application and determined that the state’s proposed program meets the necessary federal standards for approval. Under federal law, states that assume control of these programs must maintain regulations that are at least as protective as the federal baseline.
If approved, Louisiana will become the sixth state to gain approval for its own coal ash program under the current administration. The EPA is also reviewing applications from other states and anticipates similar decisions for at least three more states soon.
Local Expertise and Federalism
Federal officials have framed this decision as a means to reduce redundant government oversight and leverage local knowledge. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated, “Today’s proposed approval is a win for cooperative federalism and for Louisiana. By empowering the state’s experts who understand their communities and energy industry best, we’re protecting human health, delivering the regulatory certainty industry needs, and helping Power the Great American Comeback.”
Regional Administrator Scott Mason emphasized the importance of local decision-making, noting, “By approving Louisiana’s CCR program, EPA is ensuring the Pelican State has the freedom to determine how best to utilize their own energy industry without regulatory overlap.”
This proposal follows a series of policy adjustments by the EPA over the past year, including speeding up reviews of state applications and updating federal coal ash rules. In March 2025, the agency granted program approvals to North Dakota and Wyoming. More recently, in April 2026, the EPA proposed updates to federal regulations to allow more site-specific flexibility in permitting and promote resource recovery.
The EPA has opened a 60-day public comment period to gather feedback on the Louisiana proposal and will host a formal public hearing on July 21, 2026.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
