# Plain Language Summary: Congressional Disapproval of Coal Ash Disposal Rule

This bill is Congress's way of rejecting a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule about how electric power plants can dispose of coal ash. Coal ash is the leftover material created when coal is burned to generate electricity, and it often contains toxic substances like arsenic and mercury. The EPA's rule specifically addresses what power plants must do with old coal ash storage areas—called "legacy surface impoundments"—that have been sitting around for years.

When Congress uses this type of resolution, it's essentially saying "we don't like this rule and we're voting to cancel it." If this resolution passes both the House and Senate and isn't vetoed by the President, the EPA rule would be thrown out and wouldn't go into effect. This means power plants would not have to follow the new disposal requirements that the EPA had established for handling these old coal ash storage sites.

The practical impact depends on which side of the issue you're on. Environmental groups and people concerned about water contamination worry that without these rules, coal ash could leak into groundwater and drinking water supplies, potentially exposing communities near power plants to harmful chemicals. On the other hand, power companies argue that the EPA's requirements are too expensive and burdensome. If this resolution succeeds, power plants would have more flexibility in how they manage their coal ash, but communities living near these facilities might face greater environmental risks.

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Legacy CCR Surface Impoundments".