Groups Gather To Address Southeast Coal Ash Problems

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Over 80 environmental advocates, public health experts, and elected officials gathered in Atlanta for the first Southeast Coal Ash Summit to address coal ash contamination risks in the region's waterways. The summit featured keynote speakers including Georgia State Representative Margaret Mary Oliver and North Carolina State Representative Pricey Harrison, who have introduced state legislation on coal ash regulation. Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, along with Appalachian Voices, North Carolina Conservation Network, and Southern Environmental Law Center, hosted the event and launched SoutheastCoalAsh.org to help citizens locate coal ash impoundments near their homes.

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Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Advocates, experts and community leaders come together to protect the region's waterways

This weekend over 80 concerned citizens, environmental and public health advocates, and elected officials from across the Southeast and beyond are converging in Atlanta at the first Southeast Coal Ash Summit. The event is focused on providing information on the science and policy behind protecting the region's water from coal ash, the toxic waste from coal-fired power plants, and showing how attendees can effectively advocate for stronger protections.

The summit features a keynote address by Georgia State Representative Margaret Mary Oliver, who recently introduced state legislation requiring groundwater monitoring for wet-stored coal ash impoundments and liners for new impoundments in the state. North Carolina State Representative Pricey Harrison, who has also introduced legislation on coal ash, will also speak at the summit.

says Rep. Harrison, "Bringing citizens from across the region together to plan how to create change on all levels, from local to
federal, in order to protect their families and their communities, is absolutely critical."

The dangers of coal ash came to light after the 2008 Kingston, Tennessee disaster in which a massive coal ash dam
catastrophically failed. The event released a billion-gallon flood of toxic waste into the Emory and Clinch Rivers, poisoned some
300 acres, and destroyed two-dozen homes. The Southeast is home to over 450 coal ash impoundments and landfills, many are
rated high-hazard, meaning that a break would more than likely cause the loss of human life.

The EPA has yet to finalize rules dealing with coal ash storage and disposal. Currently, states are left to decide how to regulate
coal ash, the nation's second-largest waste stream. In many states, guidelines for municipal waste disposal are more stringent
than for coal ash.

Appalachian Voices, North Carolina Conservation Network, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Southern Environmental
Law Center are hosting the summit. At the end of last year, the groups launched SoutheastCoalAsh.org, an interactive website
that allows users in the Southeast to find information about coal ash impoundments near their home.