For folks interested in the topic of toxic coal ash and how it threatens our communities, here’s an opportunity to learn more and engage with others interested in the issue.
On Sept. 27-28, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy will host an inaugural Southeast Coal Ash Summit in Atlanta, Ga.
Advocates, national and regional experts, and concerned citizens from across the Southeast will gather together for two days to learn more about toxic coal ash and how we can protect our communities and waters from this toxic waste.
The ultimate goal of the summit will be to increase awareness of the issue, share vital details that will help folks interested in advocating against coal ash in their communities.
Unfamiliar with coal ash issues? There is enough coal ash in the Southeast to cover 275,000 football fields in 1 foot of the toxic waste (118 Billion gallons!).
Appalachian Voices is a proud partner in SACE’s campaign against coal ash, which includes the online information center, Southeastcoalash.org, where citizens can look to see if coal ash ponds near them and find out how to get involved in protecting their communities.
To find out more information or register for the summit, contact Joan Walker with SACE at joan@cleanenergy.org or (828)254-6776 ext. 7.
Sandra DiazWith Colombian roots, a Philadelphia, Pa.-childhood, and more than a decade in Florida before joining Appalachian Voices, Sandra served as AV's North Carolina campaign coordinator and driving force behind the Red, White & Water campaign from 2007 to 2013.
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I believe that the (correct ) listing of coal ash (CCR) must be as a HAZARDOUS waste. This would subject CCR to RCRA treatment/disposal regs and more accurately define the costs associated with its proper disposal as a hazardous residual waste.
It would also better define and limit other uses and releases into our product chain.
Because the current method of determining the hazardous designation (Toxic Compound Leaching Procedure or TCLP) does not properly address the known toxic components of CCR. TCLP is not designed to do so as it is targeted at inorganic compounds which are water -soluble.Additionally, the analytical finish used do not address organic ( POC, PAHC, PCAC) CCR associated ash. When liberated from the typical CCR impoundments and subjected to environmental factors and by entering the food chain, these compounds pose great hazard..The massive ongoing ( over 45 yrs) of contamination in the NF of the Holston River in SWVA by methyl mercury is an example. The Kingston spill has clearly released enough CCR contamination to severly impact the rivers for miles and years.
Why then does the TCLP test as applied to CCR give it a NON-HAZARDOUS designation? Largely because it is not applicable to the proper characterization of CCR in the environment; not just as produced/emittted . The test cannot detect the organic CCR as currently constituted.
Other, more organic CCR-specific analytical methods for ash need to be employed and toxicity- specifications developed based on these compounds and their environmental effects.