Indiana – Indiana is moving toward a major shift in who oversees one of the state’s largest industrial waste problems. With more than 100 coal ash disposal units potentially needing permits, decisions now handled at the federal level could soon land largely in the hands of state regulators.
The change is not final, but Indiana took a significant step Tuesday, Sept. 15, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed approving the state’s application to operate its own Coal Combustion Residuals permitting program. EPA says Indiana has more CCR units than any other state.
If approved, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management would issue permits governing coal ash disposal in landfills and surface impoundments instead of the federal government. Coal combustion residuals, or CCR, are materials left behind when coal is burned to generate electricity.
EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi joined Gov. Mike Braun and other officials at the Indiana Statehouse for the announcement. Federal officials said state administration could provide greater regulatory certainty and allow decisions to reflect local conditions. Braun said Indiana would continue holding companies to environmental standards under the state-led system…