Take Action: Legislative and Policy Action Alerts
Action Alert: Tell the EPA to Protect Iowans from Toxic Coal Ash
Coal ash contamination presents a long-term public health and environmental challenge in Iowa.
Join IEC in calling on EPA to protect our waterways and our health. Read our written and oral comments and the background information below. Then, take action by visiting regulations.gov and submitting your own comment by June 12.
Background
IEC is urging EPA to withdraw proposed amendments that would weaken existing coal ash regulations, putting groundwater and public health at risk.
Coal ash, or coal combustion residual (CCR), is a byproduct of burning coal for energy. It contains toxic heavy metals that can contaminate groundwater. For more information about coal ash and the risks to public health, read "Toxic by Design," IEC's July 2025 publication on the issue.
EPA is proposing a weakening of rules for coal ash storage, groundwater testing, and beneficial reuse.
The need for stronger — not weaker — coal ash regulation is particularly evident in Iowa. In 2024, nine of 12 coal power plants with regulated disposal sites have groundwater contamination exceeding federal health standards.
As just one example, at the Ottumwa Generating Station, cobalt concentrations have reached 17 µg/L, exceeding the groundwater protection standard of 6 µg/L by three times. In 2025, a remediation plan was reached, but EPA's proposed amendment could discourage necessary action, reduce oversight of remediation, and undermine cleanup efforts.
In short: EPA's proposed rule rollback will make it easier for coal plant polluters to burden our water with toxic chemicals and put Iowans' health at risk.
How to Write Your Comment
Submit your comment here before 11:59 pm ET/10:59 pm CT on June 12, 2026.
EPA provides rules and restrictions for comments here.
The U.S. Government has tips for writing a comment here.
Our advice is to:
- Introduce yourself and your connection to the issue.
- Clearly state your position.
- Use evidence and data to support your comment. IEC's written and oral comments are a good source, as is our "Toxic by Design" report.
Thank you for taking action.
Click here to submit your comment on EPA's proposed rule rollback.