​​This fact sheet provides information on NRECA's position on coal combustion residuals (CCR) management.

• In 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that coal combustion residuals (CCR) are not hazardous wastes and encouraged their continued beneficial use.
  
• EPA established a one-size-fits-all federal requirement for managing CCR that cannot be beneficially reused in coal ash ponds and landfills. Each cooperative with coal ash reservoirs must document their compliance with the 2015 regulation through public-facing websites.
• Congress amended the law to provide EPA new authority and flexibility to implement the requirements through site-specific permits.
• Responding to changes in the underlying law, EPA has proposed risk-based changes to the 2015 rule and is working on federal permitting options. The agency extended pond closure deadlines to October 2020 and expects to finalize a revised rule in 2019.
• The D.C. Court of Appeals determined that unlined and clay-lined surface impoundments are not protective and will need to be closed and is now considering challenges to the new 2020 closure deadlines.