A court ruling requires utilities to clean up coal ash despite attempts to avoid the mandate.
Gautama Mehta reports for Grist.
In short:
- The EPA's 2015 rule mandates safe disposal of coal ash, prohibiting its contact with “free liquids” and infiltration by any liquid.
- Utility companies lost their lawsuit arguing that the rule only applied to rainwater and not groundwater.
- The DC Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the EPA's enforcement of the rule, impacting over 100 sites with coal ash storage violations.
Key quote:
“Georgia right now is a bellwether as to whether or not EPA is going to do what it needs to do to defend the viability of the entire state [coal ash] program architecture.”
— Chris Bowers, attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center
Why this matters:
When coal ash is not properly managed, heavy metals like arsenic, lead, mercury, and selenium can leach into groundwater, contaminating drinking water supplies. This contamination can lead to a range of health issues, from cancer and neurological disorders to developmental problems in children. The environmental impact is equally concerning, as these toxins can devastate aquatic ecosystems and harm wildlife.
