April 23, 2024 - The Biden administration has advanced a new rule to protect water resources from coal waste, one of several power plant regulations that industry leaders and environmental advocates expect to come out Thursday.

The rule would tighten federal standards for wastewater from coal-fired plants, a known source of toxic heavy metals, nutrients and other pollutants in rivers and streams. The White House Office of Management and Budget finished reviewing the final rule Friday, according to a notice.

As proposed, EPA’s new effluent limitation guidelines for coal power plants would reduce water pollution by approximately 584 million pounds per year, the agency has said, adding that it would result in significant benefits for aquatic life and public health.

In a statement Monday, EPA spokesperson Remmington Belford said the agency planned to finalize the rule “this spring.” But three environmental advocates and one industry representative said the rule was expected to come out Thursday, to coincide with an Earth Day event.