The Biden-Harris administration is proposing to strengthen wastewater discharge standards for coal-fired power plants under the Clean Water Act. 

The proposed rule aims to reduce discharge of toxic metals and other pollutants into waterways, protecting the country's water resources that support safe drinking water, agriculture and healthy communities while providing greater certainty for the industry, according to a March 8 news release.

“Ensuring the health and safety of all people is EPA’s top priority, and this proposed rule represents an ambitious step toward protecting communities from harmful pollution while providing greater certainty for industry,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in the release.

Coal-fired power plants discharge large volumes of wastewater into waterways, the release reported. The pollutants it contains can harm people and ecosystems.

The proposed rule would establish more stringent discharge standards for three types of wastewater generated at coal-fired power plants and also addresses legacy wastewaters produced by coal-fired power plants stored in surface impoundments, the release said. 

The EPA is also proposing changes to specific compliance paths for certain subcategories of power plants, including power plants that are in the process of complying with existing regulations and plan to stop burning coal by 2032, according to the release.

The EPA estimates the proposed rule would reduce pollutants discharged through wastewater from coal-fired power plants by around 584 million pounds per year, the release reported.

Communities across the country, especially low-income communities and communities of color, are disproportionately impacted by pollution from coal-fired power plants. The end result is that they would benefit from cleaner and more resilient water resources, the release said.

More information on the proposed rule, including details about a public hearing, can be found online.