![A black woman speaks into a microphone. People stand behind her holding signs calling for coal ash cleanup. A large banner held by several people at the front of the group reads, "Make Power Plants Clean Up All Their Coal Ash."](https://appvoices.org/images/uploads/2023/08/Betty-Johnson-Coal-Ash-Chicago-150x150.jpg)
A proposed new rule for coal ash cleanup aims to protect the communities and the environment.
The Trump administration’s proposal to roll back federal coal ash safeguards gives more leeway to states — and advocates worry that would put drinking water at risk.
Appalachian states are burdened by millions of tons of toxic coal ash. Without firm federal standards, it’s up to states to determine much of the cleanup process — and regional states are taking varying approaches.