Illinois promised to clean up coal ash in 2019. It’s still there.

This coverage is brought to you by a partnership between WBEZ and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. Stay updated with local news you can rely on by signing up for WBEZ newsletters. Celeste Flores, co-chair of Clean Power Lake County, shared the progress in Waukegan, Illinois – the air is now safer to breathe following the closure of Waukegan Generating Station. However, the toxic coal ash still poses a threat to groundwater. Illinois introduced stringent coal ash regulations in 2019, but the permits for managing coal ash storage pits in Waukegan are still pending. The state is working on reviewing multiple coal ash permit applications to ensure compliance with environmental standards. The long-awaited federal regulations released recently push coal power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or shut down by 2039, marking a step closer to phasing out coal. Despite the decline in the coal industry, coal power plants still significantly contribute to carbon emissions and pollution. The fight to remove coal ash from Waukegan highlights the need for state and federal agencies to expedite the process for a healthier community.