EPA shoots down Alabama coal ash regulation proposal

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday rejected Alabama’s proposal to take over coal ash regulation, saying the state plan does not do enough to protect people and waterways.

The agency said the state's proposal was "significantly less protective" than required by federal regulations, and that it "does not require that groundwater contamination be adequately addressed during the closure of these coal ash units."

"EPA is laser focused on protecting people from exposure to pollution...