EPA Gives Wyoming More Control Over Coal

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to approve Wyoming’s coal combustion residuals (CCR) program application.

This proposal would allow the state, rather than the federal government, to manage the disposal of coal residuals in surface impoundments and landfills.

“By empowering state experts who know their communities best, we're advancing smart permitting reform” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

This is part of the Trump administration's plan to revive coal as a leading source of American energy.

The video below is on the EPA YouTube page and is the statement and vision of the EPA on this topic.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldon visited Wyoming to sign papers with Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.

The idea is that by putting decisions in the hands of state experts who best understand Wyoming’s energy industry, the state can protect its own land and grow its coal industry with less federal government intrusion.

CCR is produced primarily as a byproduct of burning coal in coal-fired power plants.

Wyoming is expected to be the fifth state in the U.S. to have an approved CCR permit program.

The EPA is accepting public comments on this proposed approval for 60 days.

During this comment period, EPA will hold a public hearing on October 30, 2025, for interested parties to present information and remarks about the proposal.

For more information about the public hearing and to submit public comments on the proposal, visit the Wyoming CCR permit program webpage.