EPA Backs Wyoming Bid for Local Control Over Coal Ash Program

Wyoming is on track to take more control over its energy future, Wyoming News Now reports.

On Thursday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it’s moving to approve Wyoming’s application to run its own coal combustion residuals (CCR) permit program. If finalized, the change would put the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in charge of overseeing coal ash management—making Wyoming only the fifth state in the nation to gain this authority.

The news was rolled out at the State Capitol in Cheyenne, where Gov. Mark Gordon, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Wyoming lawmakers gathered for the announcement.

“This is a big win for Sweetwater County, for Wyoming, and for America’s energy security,” said Rep. J.T. Larson (R-HD17). “Local control means Wyoming experts—not Washington bureaucrats—will be making the decisions that impact our land, our jobs, and our future.”

Coal ash—the byproduct of burning coal for power—has long been a hot-button environmental issue. Supporters of the move say handing oversight to the state ensures faster, more practical decision-making.

“Sweetwater County coal has powered this nation for decades,” Larson said. “This proposal ensures that it can continue to do so responsibly and sustainably.”

Rep. Cody Wylie (R-HD39) echoed that sentiment, framing the decision as a shift away from federal overreach.

“The Biden administration tried everything it could to suffocate Wyoming’s coal industry,” Wylie said. “What we saw today is the exact opposite: the Trump administration is restoring balance, giving states the authority they deserve, and letting us prove that Wyoming can both protect the environment and keep our energy workforce strong.”

Both lawmakers pointed to the potential for regulatory certainty, stronger local accountability, and continued protection of good-paying jobs in communities like Rock Springs.

The proposal isn’t final yet. Public comment will stay open for 60 days, and a public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30.

If the plan goes through, Wyoming would officially join a short list of states with full control over coal ash oversight—cementing what supporters see as a major win for state-led energy policy.