Comment submitted by Jennifer Lott
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: The commenter, a private individual, opposes the proposed federal action because they believe it rolls back environmental protections for coal ash. They argue that coal ash is toxic and poses significant health and environmental risks, particularly to low-income communities and communities of color.
Hello, I am worried about coal ash affecting the drinking water, environment and air in my own and my family’s communities.
Coal ash is toxic waste that poisons our water, air, and communities, including in Southern Indiana and Kentucky, where much of my family lives. After decades of advocacy, we won strong federal protections in 2015 and 2024. Now the EPA wants to roll them back. We cannot go backward.
Coal ash is a mix of hazardous pollutants, metals, carcinogens, and radioactive substances linked to cancer, heart and thyroid disease, reproductive failure, and neurological harm. If the EPA rolls this back, it will abandon the communities that need protection most. This is an environmental justice issue.
Coal ash sites are concentrated in low-income communities and communities of color that have suffered decades of pollution while being ignored.
The EPA must ensure that ALL coal ash is cleaned up and must reject this dangerous proposal.
Thank you for your time.