In 2018, Oklahoma became the first state to receive EPA approval to regulate its own coal ash management program. It was quickly followed by Georgia and now, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to do the same for the state of Texas.
The agency late last week issued the proposal after the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in September asked for a partial permit for its coal combustion residual program.
The EPA in 2018, the year it gave approval to Oklahoma, loosened its 2015 CCR rule and in turn gave states more flexibility in implementing the Obama-era law.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler issued a statement last week stating that, “EPA continues to encourage other states to assume oversight of coal ash management within their borders.”
He said Texas deserves credit for taking over the responsibility.
Texas has 15 coal plants and the final approval for the coal ash management won’t be considered until sometime in 2021 following a 60-day comment period and public hearing on Feb. 2, 2021.