rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/form/dont-let-toxic-coal-ash-pollute-our-communities-2?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-form-area-dont-let-toxic-coal-ash-pollute-our-communities-2' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Appalachian Voices Action Alerts https://actionnetwork.org/groups/appalachian-voices-updates https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/forms/photos/000/796/042/normal/ccr-rollback-AN.jpg Ensuring clean water for our communities and protecting the environment means confronting the legacy of coal ash pollution. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new rule that would roll back federal coal ash regulations. This would allow companies to avoid cleaning up coal ash sites and monitoring for water contamination, even though these sites are actively contaminating groundwater. The proposed rule directly threatens the health and safety of communities living near and downstream of coal ash sites. The EPA is currently accepting public comments on this proposed rule, and there are two different ways you can participate: Write your own unique comment using our prompts to guide you. We will format your responses and submit the comment on your behalf. This is the preferred option, as unique comments from people like you are particularly valuable. See a list of talking points below to help you write your comment. We understand that not everyone has the time to write a unique comment. As an alternative, you can sign our petition. Talking Points The EPA’s proposed rule would: • Remove all regulations on dry coal ash dumps, despite the fact that these sites are known to be contaminating groundwater. • Allow authorities to set weaker, site-specific standards for toxins like lead, cobalt, lithium and molybdenum in groundwater, permitting contamination above safe levels. • Allow regulators waive existing rules that require coal ash ponds to close safely — protections meant to prevent water contamination and keep communities safe. • Delay cleanup of older coal ash sites, despite the fact that these sites are known to be contaminating groundwater. • Make it easier to reuse coal ash in agriculture and construction, despite the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants. General Coal Ash Facts: • Coal ash contains a number of harmful compounds, including compounds that cause cancer and harm the brain. • Almost all coal ash sites have been shown by the industry’s own data to be contaminating nearby groundwater at levels that the federal government deems to be unsafe. • Before there were federal coal ash regulations, there were massive and devastating coal ash spills in Tennessee in 2008 and North Carolina in 2014. • Although some states have state-level coal ash regulations, these regulations do not always adequately protect human health and they are not always enforced. Meanwhile, some states have no state-level coal ash regulations. The EPA is holding an online hearing on the proposed rule on Thursday, May 28, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Sign up to testify or attend the hearing! https://actionnetwork.org/forms/dont-let-toxic-coal-ash-pollute-our-communities-2