Wyoming can now set its own rules for coal ash disposal, replacing federal oversight

The US environmental regulators are proposing to let Wyoming manage its own coal ash disposal program. If approved, Wyoming's state rules will replace most federal regulations for how coal power plants handle their waste.

For years, federal rules set a single standard for how states manage coal ash, a toxic byproduct of burning coal. This change means Wyoming can now tailor those rules to its own needs, potentially making it easier or cheaper for coal plants to operate there. This could set a precedent for other states to seek similar exemptions, decentralizing environmental oversight.