EPA Signals Loosening of Rules on Coal Waste

Advocates of the rules have said the change will weaken the coal regulations at the federal level by allowing states to dictate the terms of compliance as long as they have rules that are similar to EPA's.

"EPA expects that its new guidance will allow for the safe disposal and continued beneficial use of coal ash, while enabling states to decide what works best for their environment," the agency said. Coal ash is used in a number of products for the building industry, such as dry wall, bricks and concrete.

The Obama coal ash regulations have made it increasingly difficult and costly to handle the waste from coal power plants, prompting critics to include them in Obama's "war on coal."