EPA Proposes to Extend the Compliance Deadline for Certain Coal-Fired Facilities
November 25, 2025
Contact Information
EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to extend the closure deadline for certain coal combustion residuals (CCR) surface impoundments operating under the alternative closure provisions. This proposal would defer the deadline from October 17, 2028, to October 17, 2031, for a small subset of owners and operators to cease operation of coal-fired boilers and complete the closure of unlined CCR surface impoundments larger than 40 acres. This extension will promote electric grid reliability by allowing a small subset of baseload coal-fired power producers to continue operating for an additional three years beyond the original deadline.
“President Trump understands that maintaining baseload capacity is critical to providing affordable and reliable energy for all Americans,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management Steven Cook. “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.”
This extension would apply to CCR surface impoundments operating under the alternative closure provisions for permanent cessation of a coal-fired boiler by a certain date.
EPA is seeking comments on this proposal through January 7, 2026. EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on this proposal on January 6, 2026. For a copy of the pre-publication notice and more information on how to comment, visit the CCR rulemaking webpage.
Background
On March 12, 2025, EPA committed to taking swift action on CCR, including state permit program reviews and updates to the CCR regulations. Since then, EPA approved North Dakota’s CCR program, proposed approving Wyoming’s CCR program, and made significant progress working with other states as they also seek to permit CCR disposal in surface impoundments and landfills in their states. EPA will continue working with state partners to prioritize timely action and empower those with local expertise to oversee more effective CCR disposal operations.
EPA also issued a proposal that would extend the compliance deadlines for CCR management unit requirements. This action would provide additional time to meet facility evaluation requirements and to comply with groundwater monitoring provisions.
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