Virginia’s Gov. Northam Objects to Pruitt’s Proposal to Weaken Water Protections

RICHMOND, Virginia -- In written comments today to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, Governor Northam stated that he would not support the EPA’s revisions to lessen protections for clean water from coal ash pollution. In addition, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality made a commitment to maintain the strong safeguards against coal ash pollution in the state, despite potential weakening of federal regulations.

On March 2, Pruitt released a draft proposal to weaken the nation’s already modest clean water protections against coal ash. Coal ash is the toxic waste left over from coal-burning power plants, containing deadly chemicals such as arsenic, mercury and lead. For decades, coal ash was dumped into giant pits, often near rivers and waterways, where toxic chemicals can seep into water and soil and blow into the air. In places like Possum Point, Virginia, coal ash leakages from Dominion's pits have poisoned well-water and soil of entire communities.

The proposal would allow states to determine “alternative requirements” for coal ash disposal, paving the way for corporate polluters to influence the new protections in a way where they could avoid the costs and accountability of keep toxic coal ash out of drinking and recreational water. Regulations at risk include testing and monitoring of water around coal ash dump sites, and clean up in case of poisoning.

For months, Scott Pruitt has been catering to corporate polluters by revising and reversing policies that protect Virginians and the nation from countless pollutants. This most recent act reaffirms Pruitt’s prioritization of corporate polluters over communities and families.

“Northam has taken a commendable step in protecting residents against the determinantal health and environmental impacts of toxic coal ash. The coal ash disposal protections that are currently at risk were welcomed by communities across Virginia, many of whom supported an even stronger standard to protect our waters,” Kate Addleson, Director of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, said. “As Pruitt attempts to dismantle these common-sense protections, we look forward to the continued leadership from Gov. Northam in helping secure clean closure and recycling solutions to remove the toxic ash safely from sites across the commonwealth.”

On April 24, the EPA held just one national public hearing on the proposed weakening of the coal ash protections, where more than 90 percent of testifiers spoke against Scott Pruitt’s roll back.