The Environmental Protection Agency announced approval of an application submitted by Salt River Project concerning a coal ash disposal pond located at the Coronado Generating Station in Apache County, Arizona. The decision permits the utility to maintain operations at the unlined pond while preparing additional documentation for regulatory review.
Unlined coal ash storage facilities present environmental risks, as they are susceptible to leakage that can contaminate groundwater and surface water resources. Coal ash contains multiple hazardous substances including mercury, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic, which present potential health risks to nearby populations.
The regulatory history of the site reflects shifting positions within the federal agency. In January 2025, EPA initially rejected SRP’s application and declined to extend the pond’s operational timeline. However, this February, the agency reversed its stance and moved toward approval, according to the available record. The current decision authorizes continued dumping operations pending completion of further documentation.
The Coronado facility has accumulated approximately 16 million cubic yards of coal ash material. Environmental advocacy organizations, including the Sierra Club, Earthjustice, Tó Nizhóní Áni, and the Diné Water Rights Coalition, submitted formal comments during the regulatory process opposing the approval and requesting the agency maintain its earlier denial position.
Opponents of the approval have stated concerns that the decision prioritizes industrial operations over public health protection and drinking water safety. They argue that the facility operator should remediate the contamination rather than seek regulatory accommodation for continued operations.
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