Virginia can now set its own rules for coal ash disposal

The US environmental regulators are proposing to let Virginia manage its own coal ash disposal program. This means Virginia's state rules will replace most federal rules for how coal plants handle their waste.

For years, federal rules have dictated how states manage coal ash, a toxic byproduct of coal power. This change means Virginia can now set its own standards, which could be less strict than federal ones. This shifts responsibility and potential liability for environmental cleanup from federal oversight to state agencies and, ultimately, Virginia taxpayers.