More than 100 storage sites for coal-burning power plants’ toxic leftovers lie in areas that federal emergency managers have labeled a high risk for flooding, according to POLITICO’s examination of government and industry data.
The dangers make it urgent for power companies to move faster to remove the coal ash deposits from harm's way, pollution experts say. The utility industry said it takes coal ash cleanup seriously and that the federal rule is strong. But companies have argued against a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Capping ash where it already exists "can be equally protective" as removing it from floodplains, said Jim Roewer, executive director of the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, a coalition of electric utilities.
“We’ve always been concerned about those containment ponds and the leaching. We feel like we’re under assault,” said North Carolina state Sen. Harper Peterson, a Democrat whose district includes a coal ash pond that spilled when Florence struck in 2018. “It just highlighted how vulnerable we are now more than ever with storms.
What's more, floods and hurricanes will grow in severity as greenhouse gas emissions rise and scramble rainfall patterns, 13 federal agencies warned in last fall’sThe assessment said flooding risk is particularly acute in the Southeast and along rivers in the Midwest. That’s where 90 of the sites in FEMA’s high-risk flood zones reside, POLITICO’s analysis found.
Besides being increasingly outdated, FEMA's maps are also subject to political pressures: In 2017, just one year after Hurricane Matthew hit Duke’s retired H.F. Lee Power Station in Goldsboro, N.C., spilling coal ash into the Neuse River, the utility persuaded the agency The risks aren’t limited to what people can see on the surface, however. Drinking water wells in rural areas that tap into groundwaterfrom chemicals such as arsenic, lithium, cobalt and radium near 24 coal ash sites across 13 states, according to the EPA and environmental groups Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice.
In addition, many utilities covered by the rule are falling behind on meeting their cleanup requirements.
Source: Energy Industry News (energyindustrynews.net)
He has no idea what he’s doing he’s doing it because he’s obsessed and dare I say slightly infatuated with Obama! tRump believes if he makes everyone else look low he looks better that’s a failed project get out of our house
MAGA!
Trump and GOP don’t care about coal ash disasters and the health hazards, they just want to make the companies richer.
Trump does not care about our future or our children’s future!!
This administration continues to do the opposite of the right thing almost every time! trump profitoverpeople
One way to destroy America eh Donald ? You're Russian master will be very pleased.
That sounds about right based on this admins recent behavior. Perhaps adding lead to drinking water is now in vogue too.
Trump admin doesn't care who is harmed.
For all our silliness and not protecting our environment. I would like to see some responsibility on this issue and many others.
Put Trump in one to stop the flow. The girth of his as should do the job
There's a 1% chance. Saved you a click.
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