Coal plants get three more years to close their biggest toxic ash ponds

US environmental regulators are giving some coal power plants an extra three years to close their largest unlined toxic ash ponds. This means these plants can keep running longer than planned, helping to keep the electricity grid stable.

Coal plants have been slowly shutting down their old, unlined ash ponds, which can leak toxic materials into groundwater. This extension means some of the oldest, dirtiest plants get a reprieve. It buys time for grid operators to find other ways to keep the lights on, but it also delays environmental cleanup.