Coal Ash Action Group
IMPORTANT UPDATE
May 23, 2024
BIG WIN: EPA denies dangerous coal ash plan.
Southern Environmental Law Center Update
We have great news unfolding in Alabama. Thousands of you joined us and voiced your concerns about toxic coal ash pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency has heard our calls and acted.
Twenty-one million tons of this toxic waste sit in an unlined pit at Plant Barry — upstream from the City of Mobile and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Today, EPA rejected Alabama’s state permitting program, which would permit Alabama Power’s reckless plan to keep the coal ash in unlined pits submerged in groundwater, leaching harmful chemicals like arsenic and mercury into the environment.
Thanks to you, EPA is sending a strong message to the State of Alabama and polluters like Alabama Power: Close your coal ash ponds in compliance with federal law and keep your toxic mess out of our rivers. It’s the only solution that makes sense. Not only for the communities who depend on our waterways, but the hundreds of plants and animals that call this biodiversity hotspot in Alabama home — like the green tree frogs, great blue herons, alligators, cypress trees, and black-bellied whistling ducks.
This great news continues some of SELC’s longest standing and most meaningful work. Across the South, we've pushed monopoly utilities to clean up over a quarter of a billion tons of coal ash and secured stronger state and federal-level protections for our communities. In North Carolina, our lawsuits resulted in the largest coal ash cleanup in our country’s history with commitments to excavate or recycle 126 million tons from leaking, unlined pits across the state.
We could not have spurred the clean-up of this much coal ash without the backing and commitment of advocates we can count on.
Thanks again for your role in notching this victory.
Sincerely,
Barry Brock
Alabama Office Director - Southern Environmental Law Center
The Coal Ash Action Group could not have said it better than Barry Brock, SELC - but we also want to thank each of you!
You helped us increase awareness of the toxic coal ash in the Tensaw Delta! You told your neighbors, attended our talks, visited us at events, signed petitions. attended EPA Hearings and wrote comments when the EPA asked for your opinion! You became an informed citizen on coal ash and made a difference!
LATEST NEWS ARTICLES 5/23/24
"We reached out to Alabama Power for comment, and they sent us a statement that reads, “Alabama Power is reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency ruling. We remain committed to complying with all environmental rules and regulations.”
One possible change resulting from the EPA ruling could be a requirement to pack up the coal ash and ship it to lined landfills farther inland—a process that would be expensive and take time. Cade Kistler with Mobile Bay Keeper believes it’s worth it.
“I think this is a big deal for the people that like to use our waters for Alabamians that fish and hunt and swim because this has got to prevent pollution from leaking into the Mobile inside delta and downstream into the bay indefinitely,” Kristler said.
May 23, 2024
Contact Information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON – Today, May 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing its final decision to deny Alabama’s application to run a federally approved state permit program to manage coal ash landfills and impoundments. Following extensive engagement with Alabama and a robust review of its application, the agency is issuing a denial because the state’s permit program is significantly less protective of people and waterways than federal law requires. Read more here>>
May 23, 2024
By Scott Johnson. - Lagnaippe (reposted with permission)
Mobile County environmental advocates are claiming victory as the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency issued a final denial of Alabama’s coal ash waste management plan, finding it is “significantly less protective” than federal regulations.
The decision was handed down Thursday, May 23, formalizing a proposal to deny the plan issued in August 2023. The permit was submitted by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and would have operated in lieu of the EPA’s coal ash residual program. Read more here>>
What are our next steps? What Does This Mean to Our Citizens?
"We will continue to support Mobile Baykeepr and other groups, while increasing awareness of the dangers of coal ash in our community. We are not done until Alabama Power has an approved plan to safely dispose of all coal ash in a reasonable amount of time." - Coal Ash Action Group
Diane Thomas, Ph.D. is available for presentations. She has spread awareness of this issue to many large and small groups during the past year.
Until all coal ash is removed, it is still an issue for our area. If a hurricane goes up the Tensaw Delta before complete removal, it is still a disaster waiting to happen and a great danger not only to the Mobile Port but our Bay.
Contact us, join our site, and increase your knowledge of coal ash issues. Follow us for up-to-date information and progress.
We can provide a 10-40 min. talk according to your group's needs.
Contact: - move.the.ash@gmail.com for a presentation.
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