H1228 - Governor's Coal Ash Action Plan

• Requires wastewater system owners to report discharges of 1,000+ gallons of untreated wastewater or wastewater containing coal combustion products to the Department within 24 hours, and issue press releases within 24 hours instead of 48 hours.

• Establishes coal combustion products impoundment water monitoring program requiring investor-owned utilities to submit groundwater assessment plans, conduct monitoring, and implement corrective action plans for contaminated groundwater at coal ash impoundment sites.

• Requires identification and remediation of unpermitted wastewater discharges at coal combustion products impoundment sites through topographic mapping, water quality sampling, and implementation of best management practices or alternative discharge solutions.

• Mandates that owners of high and intermediate hazard dams develop Emergency Action Plans by January 1, 2015, and implement weekly inspections of coal combustion products impoundments with annual third-party engineer certifications of structural integrity.

• Establishes temporary moratorium on use of coal combustion products as structural fill (except for airport runways and road bases) until new rules are adopted, redefines removed coal combustion products as solid waste, and requires comprehensive closure plans for all coal ash impoundments including groundwater restoration and post-closure monitoring for 30 years.