The Dynegy Vermilion coal-fired power plant closed in 2011, leaving behind three large ash pits containing millions of gallons of coal combustion waste laced with toxic heavy metals and carcinogens, the result of years of burning coal. All three pits are located in the floodplain; two of the pits are unlined and actively leaching into […]
Pollution
From Toledo to the Gulf, Inaction Leaves Water Polluted
Just days after half a million Toledo residents were advised their water was too toxic to drink or bathe in (New York Times story), scientists released the annual measurement of the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone, and the findings are grim (CNN Dead Zone story). This year’s Dead Zone is estimated at 5,000 square miles—an area […]
Illinois Groups Call on Rep. John Shimkus to Address Failing Coal Ash Pits
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Today 18 environmental organizations and community groups representing hundreds of citizens in Illinois sent a letter to U.S. Representative John Shimkus urging the congressman to address failing coal ash pits in the state. The letter comes six months after an impoundment failure at Duke Energy’s Dan River plant in North Carolina unleashed […]
New Report: Risks and Costs of Dynegy’s Coal-Fired Power Plants on Illinois Communities
Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance, Sierra Club, Prairie Rivers Network Highlight Path for Communities to Transition Away from Risky Coal View Full Report Here PEORIA – Today, the Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance (CIHCA), Prairie Rivers Network and the Sierra Club released a report highlighting the risk posed by Dynegy’s coal-fired power plants on communities across […]
Vermilion County passes resolutions on coal ash
As the Illinois Pollution Control Board considers statewide rules to regulate coal ash, Vermilion County groups have stepped up to encourage stronger rules at the state level and additional consideration for closure of ash pits at the Dynegy Vermilion facility. The Dynegy Vermilion power station currently stores coal ash – the toxic byproduct of coal […]
