On Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed changes to regulations governing the disposal of coal ash, a toxic byproduct of burning coal. The new rules would roll back protections established under the Biden administration, which aimed to mitigate pollution from coal-fired power plants. The revisions would ease monitoring requirements and allow for the reuse of coal ash, raising concerns among environmental advocates about potential groundwater contamination. Lee Zeldin, the EPA administrator, stated that the proposal reflects a commitment to 'restoring American energy dominance' and accommodating specific circumstances at coal ash facilities. Environmental groups have cautioned that these changes could lead to increased exposure to toxic waste for communities near coal plants. The coal industry argues that stringent regulations drive up costs and hasten the retirement of coal plants. The EPA first set standards for coal ash during the Obama administration in response to previous environmental disasters, including a significant coal ash spill in Tennessee in 2008 that affected over 300 acres. These proposed changes are seen as part of a broader trend of weakening environmental protections initiated during the Trump administration.