Coal Ash for American Infrastructure Act

This bill creates a new pathway for coal ash storage facilities to transition from waste storage to beneficial use. Owners of coal ash units (like landfills or impoundments) can apply to be designated as "beneficial use staging units" if they meet environmental standards, submit a removal plan, and commit to removing at least 25% of stored ash for reuse (e.g., in construction materials) within 5-12 years, depending on facility size. Once designated, facilities cannot accept new ash and must comply with groundwater monitoring, but cannot be forced to close by states for failing to meet removal deadlines. The EPA will track progress through annual reports, and states cannot override these federal provisions. It directly affects coal ash facility operators seeking to repurpose stored ash instead of maintaining long-term storage.