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Coal ash waste has devastating effects

This past Saturday marked the six-month anniversary of the horrendous Duke Energy coal ash spill in North Carolina.

Over the weeklong spill, 39,000 tons of toxic, coal ash-laden sludge and 27
million gallons of contaminated water leaked into the Dan River. As devastating as the spill was, it was still only the third largest spill in history. Without proper regulation, countless more should be expected.

Coal ash is the byproduct of coal-fired electricity creation. This leftover ash
contains arsenic, mercury, lead, selenium, and many other toxins. These elements can lead to conditions like cancer, birth defects, mental retardation, liver disease, asthma, and numerous other health and birth-related problems. Coal ash disposal is not regulated by the EPA. Rather, it is stored in often-unlined ponds or lagoons on major river systems.

There are nine coal-fired power plants in Alabama that store coal ash. One of which, Widows Creek, spilled over 10,000 gallons into the Tennessee River in 2009.

The EPA is expected to rule on coal ash regulation on December 14, 2014. As a young adult who anticipates children in the near future, I hope that the EPA regulates coal ash as the toxic hazard that it is and mandates the removal of all coal ash waste from our rivers as soon as possible for the well-being of Alabamians, as well as all Americans.

Source: www.al.com/