coal ash
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Toxic coal ash complicates Chapel Hill redevelopment plans
Officials in Chapel Hill, NC, face criticism over a plan to redevelop a coal ash site near a popular greenway, as community members fear health risks from lingering toxic metals.
In short:
- Chapel Hill aims to redevelop a coal ash site but faces backlash over a cleanup plan deemed insufficient by some community members and lawyers.
- The site, containing 46,000 tons of coal ash, has restricted uses, excluding residences and parks, due to contamination concerns.
- High levels of arsenic, radium, and other toxic metals persist, posing potential health risks and environmental hazards.
Key quote:
"Simply burying the ash under a layer of soil will do nothing to clean up the contamination and address these environmental and public health hazards."
— Perrin de Jong, Southeast staff attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
Coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal for electricity, contains harmful substances such as arsenic, lead, and mercury. These toxins have been linked to a variety of health issues, including cancer and neurological damage. As the town officials push forward with redevelopment plans, community members are rallying to ensure that proper safety measures are taken to mitigate any exposure to these dangerous contaminants.
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Credit: Waterkeeper Alliance Inc./Flickr
Illinois faces challenges in addressing coal ash contamination
Despite Illinois passing a law five years ago to manage coal ash contamination, progress has stalled, leaving environmental advocates concerned.
In short:
- In 2019, Illinois passed a law to regulate coal ash and required plant operators to submit plans to clean up or shut down.
- Despite finalized rules, permits for the coal ash pits in Waukegan have yet to be approved, delaying remediation.
- Federal rules have intensified scrutiny of coal ash, aiming to reduce its environmental impact and safeguard communities.
Key quote:
“When it comes to the implementation of these rules, it’s 2024 and we don’t have permits yet. And I don’t think anyone was expecting that.”
— Celeste Flores, co-chair of Clean Power Lake County
Why this matters:
Coal ash contains hazardous substances that can leach into groundwater, posing serious health risks. The prolonged delay in issuing permits for cleanup leaves communities exposed to potential pollution, heightening the urgency for regulatory action. Read more: Former coal plant near Pittsburgh is poisoning groundwater.
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Newsletter
Credit: Al.geba/Big Stock Photo
EPA introduces new rules for legacy coal ash pond cleanup
New regulations released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency aim to tackle the cleanup of legacy coal ash ponds, requiring stringent measures to prevent groundwater contamination.
In short:
- The regulations extend 2015 rules, demanding closure of coal ash ponds that contact groundwater.
- Utilities are mandated to monitor and rectify any leaks, and ensure groundwater is cleaned from contaminants.
- The new rules could face challenges due to varying state regulations and potential political shifts post-election.
Key quote:
"EPA’s new rule is aimed at cleaning up coal plants once and for all."
— Lisa Evans, senior attorney at Earthjustice
Why this matters:
Legacy coal ash ponds, the often unlined pits where power plants have historically disposed of the ash residue from burning coal, pose significant environmental and health risks, particularly to groundwater systems. Over time, these ponds can leak hazardous contaminants like arsenic, mercury, and lead into nearby groundwater, which many communities rely on for drinking, bathing, and irrigation.
Coal ash disposal disproportionately impacts poor communities and people of color; residents in affected areas may face increased risks of cancer, neurological disorders, and other health problems associated with long-term exposure to heavy metals.
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Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur/Waterkeeper Alliance Inc./Flickr
Environmentalists rattled by radioactive risks of toxic coal ash
The EPA now recognizes the risks of gamma radiation from radium in coal ash, but many states aren’t even sure where the toxic waste has been used. In Alabama, environmental regulators say they do not track so-called ‘beneficial’ uses of coal ash.
Credit: Tennessee Valley Authority/Flickr
Dismantling of TVA's Bull Run Fossil Plant raises concerns over waste
Environmental activists are concerned about hazardous waste transport in dismantling of the Tennessee Valley Authority's Bull Run Fossil Plant.
Credit: Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Negotiations begin over coal ash storage issues in Mobile, Alabama
A federal judge's recent dismissal of an environmental lawsuit paves the way for settlement talks between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Alabama Power regarding coal ash storage in Mobile, Alabama.
In short:
- The lawsuit, filed by Mobile Baykeepers, claimed Alabama Power's coal ash pit near Mobile Bay violated federal environmental laws.
- Despite the dismissal, the case brought to light ongoing concerns about groundwater contamination and environmental hazards from coal ash.
- Settlement discussions are expected to address the long-term safety and compliance of coal ash storage at the Plant Barry site.
Key quote:
"This order does not address the fact that Alabama Power’s coal ash plan at Plant Barry endangers Mobile Bay and does not meet the federal standards."
— Barry Brock, director of the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Alabama office.
Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.
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Credit: Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
EPA and Alabama Power to start settlement negotiations over coal ash storage near Mobile
Alabama Power pools toxic sludge in a pit above Mobile Bay. Will it remain there?
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