November 28, 2025 - EPA has proposed giving a handful of coal-fired power plants an extra three years to continue disposing of their toxic coal ash in large, unlined ponds — the Trump administration's latest move to bolster fossil fuel energy in the name of protecting grid reliability.

The proposal would grant 11 plants until 2031 to continue disposing of coal ash — a toxic byproduct of coal-fired power generation — in unlined impoundments that are greater than 40 acres. Those plants had previously won an extension to continue disposing of their coal ash there because they planned to close the coal-fired generating units.

“President Trump understands that maintaining baseload capacity is critical to providing affordable and reliable energy for all Americans,” Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management Steven Cook said in a statement. “Today’s proposal offers flexibility for coal-fired power plants, so they have the time needed to meet requirements and can continue to help secure prosperity and energy independence of our nation.”