EPA Finalizes Procedures for Alternate Liner Demonstrations, Allows for More Site-Specific Management of Coal Ash
Posted by [email protected] on Dec. 2, 2020
The EPA has finalized the alternate liner demonstration procedures for unlined surface impoundments of coal combustion residuals (CCR), commonly known as coal ash. The final rule increases flexibility by allowing for more site-specific management of coal ash so long as the impoundments demonstrate no reasonable probability of adverse effects to the human health and the environment.
This rule finalizes a portion of the Holistic Approach to Closure Part B proposal. Specifically, the rulemaking finalizes a two-step process to allow coal-fired facilities to demonstrate to EPA, or a Participating State Director that, based on ongoing groundwater monitoring data, the impoundment has had no negative impact on groundwater. Additionally, the facilities must demonstrate that the design of a particular surface impoundment unit will continue to have no reasonable probability of adverse effects to human health and the environment. EPA anticipates that a very limited number of CCR surface impoundments will be eligible to continue operations based on this rule, given the very site-specific factual and technical demonstrations that are required.
