Indiana Takes Coal Ash Reins from EPA—Sort Of
Published Date: 9/16/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is proposing to approve Indiana's Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) partial permit program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). After reviewing the CCR permit program application submitted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), EPA has preliminarily determined that Indiana's CCR permit program meets the standard for partial approval under RCRA. If approved, Indiana's CCR permit program will operate in lieu of the Federal CCR program, with the exception of the specific provisions noted below. EPA is seeking comment on this proposal during a 60-day public comment period and will hold a hybrid in-person and online public hearing on EPA's preliminary approval of Indiana's partial CCR permit program.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
State CCR Program Fees for Impoundments
If Indiana's program is approved, CCR surface impoundments will be billed an initial fee of $20,500. After that, operating impoundments or those without final closure certification will be billed $20,500 annually, while impoundments with final closure certification (or with final certification submitted but not responded to in time) will be billed $10,000 annually.
Permit Application Deadlines and Term Lengths
Under Indiana's program, owners/operators must submit permit applications within 180 days of the State program's effective date. IDEM must approve or deny new permit applications within 365 days; permits may be issued for a maximum of 5 years (with a potential future statutory maximum of 10 years), and renewal applications must be submitted at least 120 days before permit expiration.
Inspections, Monitoring, and Sampling Authority
IDEM inspectors may enter public or private property (with credentials) to inspect CCR units, gather records, take photographs, take samples, and place inspection reports in the public Virtual File Cabinet. Complaint-based inspections typically occur within 30 days of receipt of the complaint.
Enforcement Options and Citizen Intervention Rights
IDEM has multiple enforcement tools against violators, including Violation Letters, Notices of Violation, Agreed Orders (with civil penalties), Commissioner's Orders, and civil actions. Citizens of Indiana may intervene in administrative or judicial proceedings and IDEM posts enforcement documents online (OE and VFC) and responds to citizen complaints, with complaint inspections typically occurring within 30 days.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”
The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.
2026-14112, Amendments and Nonconformance Penalties for Model Year 2027 and Later Heavy-Duty Highway Engines and Amendments to Inducement Provisions for SCR-Equipped Diesel Engines
Starting with model year 2027, the EPA is updating rules for big truck engines to make sure they last longer and pollute less. They’re also letting engine makers pay penalties if their engines don’t meet standards, and tightening rules for special pollution-control systems on diesel engines. These changes affect truck and engine makers and kick in soon, with public feedback due by August 29, 2026.
2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans
The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!
2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems
The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!
2026-12927, U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance
The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.
2026-11047, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review
The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-19013, Racial Nondiscrimination in Private Schools; Hearing
This document provides a notice of public hearing on the notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-119986-25) published in the Federal Register on September 4, 2026. The proposed regulations would update existing regulations to provide that a private school is not described as an organization exempt from Federal income tax if it discriminates on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational, admissions, scholarship, athletic, or other policies, based on the fundamental public policy of the United States against such practices.
Next: 2026-19053, Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism