Coal Combustion Residual (CCR)
Enforcement Actions
Electronic Document Submittal
Rules and Regulations
CCR Permit Program
Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) is a solid waste that is generated from the combustion of coal at coal-fired power plants and is typically managed in a surface impoundment, a landfill, or beneficial reused into products like concrete. CCR is regulated as a nonhazardous waste under at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) is currently seeking primacy from EPA.
Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) is a solid waste that is generated from the combustion of coal at coal-fired power plants and is typically managed in a surface impoundment, a landfill, or beneficial reused into products like concrete. CCR is regulated as a nonhazardous waste under at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) is currently seeking primacy from EPA.
In response to a dike failure in 2008 in Kingston, Tennessee that released coal ash into the surrounding area, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first national regulations for CCR on June 21, 2010. After receiving public comments, EPA finalized those regulations on December 19, 2014 (published in the Federal Register on April 17, 2015). Originally, the federal regulations were self-implementing and enforceable through citizen suits. Essentially, EPA did not require permits for CCR landfills and surface impoundments at coal fired power plants. On December 16, 2016, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation’s Act (WIIN Act) was signed by the President. The WIIN Act affected the federal CCR regulations in three ways:
- Amended RCRA Subtitle D regulations to allow for States to obtain primacy for CCR permit Programs;
- Directed EPA to develop its own CCR permit program; and
- Gave enforcement authority to EPA.
The WDEQ decided to pursue primacy from EPA for a CCR permit program. Below is a timeline of the road to primacy.
Staff
Map
What is CCR?
Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) is a solid waste that is generated from the combustion of coal at coal-fired power plants and is typically managed in a surface impoundment, a landfill, or beneficial reused into products like concrete.
Who does the Wyoming Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Permit Program apply to?
The Wyoming CCR Permit Program requires the owners of facilities that dispose of CCR in landfills and surface impoundments at coal fired power plants to obtain a permit.
What does EPA’s proposed approval mean for Wyoming’s CCR Permit Program?
The approval means EPA reviewed and determined that Wyoming’s CCR Permit Program meets the standard for approval, it is at least as protective as the federal standards, and includes all the required elements of a state program including requirements for location restrictions, design and operating criteria, groundwater monitoring, corrective action, closure requirements, post-closure care, recordkeeping, and notification and internet posting requirements. As of March 30, 2026, WDEQ will implement the federal CCR standards in lieu of EPA.
Primacy
On February 6, 2023, Wyoming submitted the State CCR Permit Program to EPA Region 8. On February 24, 2026, EPA announced the final decision to approve Wyoming’s CCR Permit Program and on March 30, 2026, EPA’s final decision is effective. The approval of Wyoming’s CCR Permit Program made Wyoming the 5th State with approval. For more information on EPA’s final approval, please visit the Federal Register.
Timeline for the Development of the CCR Permit Program Approval
- April 17, 2015, EPA published the first national regulations for CCR in the Federal Register.
- June 25, 2019, WDEQ’s first presentation to Water and Waste Advisory Board (WWAB) Solid Waste Management Rule (SWR) Chapter 18 Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals in Landfills and Surface Impoundments (Chapter 18).
- October 17, 2019, WDEQ’s second presentation to WWAB Solid Waste Management Rule Chapter 18.
- August 28, 2020, EPA finalized revisions to the federal rule and WDEQ revised SWR Chapter 18.
- November 12, 2020, EPA finalized a second set of revisions to the federal rule and WDEQ revised SWR Chapter 18 again.
- December 21, 2021, WDEQ’s third presentation to WWAB Solid Waste Management Rule Chapter 18.
- June 14, 2022, WDEQ presented to the Environmental Quality Council SWR Chapter 18.
- August 19, 2022, Solid Waste Management Rule Chapter 18 signed by Governor Mark Gordon.
- February 6, 2023, WDEQ submitted the State CCR Permit Program Application to EPA Region 8.
- August 28, 2025, EPA Administrator Zeldin signed a proposed approval of Wyoming’s CCR Permit Program.
- October 30, 2025 EPA hosted a public hearing at the Wyoming Capitol on the proposed approval.
- February 24, 2026 EPA announced the final decision to approve Wyoming’s CCR Permit Program.
- March 30, 2026 EPA’s final decision is effective.