August 27, 2010
New Study: Coal Ash Water – Contamination Much Worse Than Previously Estimated – More Toxic Sites Found in Illinois
Yesterday, a major new study was released that identifies 39 additional coal-ash dump sites in 21 states that are contaminating drinking water or surface water with arsenic and other heavy metals. Three of those sites are in Illinois. The report by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), Earthjustice and the Sierra Club, with help from Prairie Rivers Network’s Traci Barkley, documents the fact that state governments are not adequately monitoring the coal combustion waste (CCW) disposal sites and that the USEPA needs to enact strong new regulations to protect the public.
For the Press Release, click here.
For Report, click here.
For News Conference audio, click here.
The report shows that, at every one of the coal ash dump sites equipped with groundwater monitoring wells, concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic or lead exceed federal health-based standards for drinking water, with concentrations at the Venice, IL site reaching as high as 38 times the federal standard for arsenic 400 feet beyond the ash ponds.
Take Action – Let Your Voice Be Heard
The US Environmental Protection Agency is about to launch a series of regional hearings on whether and how to regulate toxic coal ash waste from coal-fired power plants. PLEASE ATTEND IF YOU CAN.
Chicago, IL on September 16
Louisville, KY on September 28
Financial assitance is available to defray some travel costs. Contact Traci Barkley at 217/344-2371 or tbarkley@prairierivers.org.
Press Coverage In the News
1 :: Critical Vote on Coal Ash Pollution » Prairie Rivers Network :: October 11th, 2011 at 11:18 am
[...] improved rules for how to store and dispose of harmful coal ash in response to the more than 100 known coal ash contamination cases in the U.S. Over 450,000 public comments were received – more than had ever been received for any [...]
2 :: Critical Vote on Coal Ash Pollution « Heartland Coalfield Alliance :: October 12th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
[...] improved rules for how to store and dispose of harmful coal ash in response to the more than 100 known coal ash contamination cases in the U.S. Over 450,000 public comments were received – more than had ever been received for any other [...]
3 :: House Set to Block EPA « Eco-Justice Collaborative :: October 12th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
[...] improved rules for how to store and dispose of harmful coal ash in response to the more than 100 known coal ash contamination cases in the U.S. Over 450,000 public comments were received – more than had ever been received for any other [...]
4 :: Senate to Take Up Dirty Coal Ash Bill « Heartland Coalfield Alliance :: November 7th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
[...] improved rules for how to store and dispose of harmful coal ash in response to the more than 100 known coal ash contamination cases in the U.S. Over 450,000 public comments were received – more than had ever been received for any other [...]
5 :: Senate to Take Up Dirty Coal Ash Bill « Eco-Justice Collaborative :: November 8th, 2011 at 11:08 am
[...] improved rules for how to store and dispose of harmful coal ash in response to the more than 100 known coal ash contamination cases in the U.S. Over 450,000 public comments were received – more than had ever been received for any other [...]