Combustion Portal: Environmental Compliance for Combustion Processes

Combustion Residuals (CCR) Permit Program

The Combustion Residuals (CCR) permit program is a regulatory framework, authorized by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, that provides for the safe management and disposal of coal ash from electric power plants. This program allows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a federal permitting process for CCR units in states that do not have their own approved programs, while also authorizing states to create their own permit programs that must be at least as protective as the federal rules. The goal is to regulate CCR landfills and surface impoundments to protect public health and the environment.

Overview. The program is based on the 2015 Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule, which sets technical standards for CCR landfills and surface impoundments under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Facilities subject to the rule must comply with requirements for applications, content, modification, and procedures, which can be implemented through a permit system or another prior approval system. The program can be implemented either by the EPA directly (in Indian Country and non-participating states) or by states that have received EPA approval for their own programs. States can develop their own programs, but they must be approved by the EPA to ensure they are at least as protective as the federal regulations. Once a state's program is approved, it operates in place of the federal rule for facilities within that state.

State Permit Programs. As of November 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved coal combustion residuals (CCR) permit programs for the following states:

Additionally, the EPA has proposed approval for Wyoming's program, which is currently under review and public comment.

Alabama's program application was denied. EPA found that the Alabama CCR permit program is significantly less protective of people and waterways than the federal regulations require. ADEM largely adopted the language in the federal CCR regulations into its state regulations. However, when EPA reviewed Alabama's CCR permits, EPA found that the permits were not as protective as the federal CCR regulations.

The state programs operate in lieu of the federal CCR program, provided they meet or exceed federal standards for the management and disposal of coal ash in landfills and surface impoundments.