AG Raoul led a coalition of 8 AGs in opposing two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposals to weaken or rescind important regulations on coal ash, a toxic waste that is left over after burning coal at power plants. Coal ash, also referred to as coal combustion residuals, contains dangerous chemicals, including lead, arsenic and mercury, which can leach into groundwater near ash ponds or flow into nearby surface water when ash ponds overflow or via groundwater when ash ponds leak. These chemicals pose numerous dangers to human health, including cancer, cardiovascular effects and neurological effects.

“Illinois is especially at risk if regulations on coal ash are weakened due to the large number of coal ash ponds and landfills in neighboring state. I’m calling on the Trump administration to abandon these dangerous policy changes that would put our water, our health and the environment in jeopardy. I will continue to work with my fellow attorneys general to advocate for strong environmental protections and oppose the Trump administration’s attempts to undermine or eliminate important regulations.” -AG Raoul