What is coal ash and why is it dangerous?
Coal ash, or coal combustion residuals (CCR) and also known as coal combustion byproducts (CCB), is the toxic waste left behind after burning coal for electricity. It contains arsenic, mercury, chromium, lead, and other dangerous pollutants linked to cancer, heart disease, neurological damage, and reproductive problems. When coal ash is dumped in unlined ponds or poorly managed landfills, these toxins can leach into groundwater and waterways — including the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers — contaminating drinking water and harming aquatic life.
What does the new lWhat is coal ash and why is it dangerous?
Coal ash, or coal combustion residuals (CCR) and also known as coal combustion byproducts (CCB), is the toxic waste left behind after burning coal for electricity. It contains arsenic, mercury, chromium, lead, and other dangerous pollutants linked to cancer, heart disease, neurological damage, and reproductive problems. When coal ash is dumped in unlined ponds or poorly managed landfills, these toxins can leach into groundwater and waterways — including the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers — contaminating drinking water and harming aquatic life
What does the new law (SB425/HB902) do?
This law — championed by Senator Michael Jackson and Delegate Mary Lehman — is a major win for clean water and public health. It:
- Codifies key federal protections into Maryland law, including the EPA’s May 2024 legacy coal ash rules, so Marylanders are protected regardless of what happens in Washington.
- Expands monitoring requirements to include dangerous pollutants like boron, vanadium, and hexavalent chromium.
- Creates a statewide coordination committee led by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Power Plant Research Program to oversee cleanup and ensure community input.
Fixes the funding structure so that cleanup efforts don’t rely on coal plants still burning fuel (most are retired). The new fee system ensures stable funding for monitoring, staffing, and site remediation.
Why was this bill necessary if federal rules already exist?
Federal environmental protections have become a political football. EPA’s 2024 rules were a step forward — but they are under threat of rollback by the current administration, with EPA Administrator Zeldin having announced plans to do so. Maryland can’t wait for federal enforcement or risk losing ground. This law ensures that the cleanup continues, no matter who’s in the White House.
Has cleanup already started at these sites?
Unfortunately, no — or at least not meaningfully. Despite a 2013 Consent Order requiring GenOn to assess and clean up its Brandywine, Faulkner, and Westland sites, virtually no remediation has occurred more than a decade later. Instead, violations have continued, including illegal spreading of coal ash at the Morgantown site that PRKN exposed in 2019, but which wasn’t addressed by MDE until 2022.
How does this law help vulnerable communities?
Many coal ash dumps are located in low-income communities and communities of color — places that have been ignored for too long. These residents have faced contaminated well water, polluted air, and no clear answers. SB425/HB902 makes sure these voices are at the table and that state oversight includes environmental justice as a core priority.
Will this cost the state or taxpayers a lot of money?
No. The new law changes the outdated fee system to ensure that Maryland has money to pay staff, conduct testing, and enforce cleanup. The expected revenue provides for additional oversight and prioritization of actions necessary to mitigate impacts to water quality and communities from toxic coal ash by expanding public health protections like groundwater and well testing.
How does Maryland compare to other states?
Until now, Maryland lagged behind. North Carolina and Virginia already passed strong coal ash cleanup laws requiring safe disposal and public oversight. With this bill, Maryland catches up — and steps forward as a leader in protecting residents from the toxic legacy of coal.
What’s next?
This bill lays the groundwork for real accountability, but the work isn’t over. PRKN will:
- Monitor implementation of the new rules
- Push for timely closure and cleanup of the worst sites that are contaminating our water and communities
- Advocate for public participation and transparency and that communities are provided substantive opportunities for input into clean up and closure plans
Enforce the law where the government is unwilling or unable to do so.
Why is this a win for the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay?
Many of these coal ash sites leak directly into tributaries of the Potomac River that ultimately feed the Bay. Cleaning them up will reduce toxic pollution, protect drinking water, and preserve aquatic ecosystems. This is a critical investment in the future of Maryland’s rivers and the communities that depend on them.
