Andy Knott, andy.knott@sierraclub.org, 314-803-4695
Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org, 217-390-9394
SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Today, Prairie Rivers Network, Springfield Branch of the NAACP and the Sangamon Valley Group of the Sierra Club announced a joint filing of a complaint with the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) against City Water, Light and Power’s (CWLP) Dallman Coal Plant for over 600 cases of self-reported groundwater violations since 2010. These include violations for arsenic, lead, boron, chromium, manganese, iron and other pollutants.
“We can sit by no more,” said Scott Gauvin, Springfield Resident and Chair of the Sangamon Valley Group of the Sierra Club, “we have brought this issue up time and again and CWLP and city officials are not taking it seriously. If the water of any Springfield resident was being knowingly contaminated we would not expect that person to wait years for a solution and we’ve already waited too long. The time for action is now.”
In one instance in November 2016, arsenic was found to be more than 22 times the groundwater standard. Arsenic exposure is linked to bladder, lung and skin cancer.
“The lack of proper environmental protections cost lives, and therefore is immoral and a violation of our most sacred values,” said Teresa Haley, President of the State and Local NAACP. “We are committed to bring justice to this issue of coal ash and to call attention to CWLP which is operating without regard for the impacts of this pollution.”
The groups are asking the IPCB to find CWLP in violation of state prohibition of groundwater contamination, enforce the groundwater standards and order the utility to halt and remediate the pollution.
“Coal ash is a serious problem in Springfield,” said Andrew Rehn, Water Resources Engineer at Prairie Rivers Network, “Prairie Rivers Network is committed to safeguarding streams, rivers and safe drinking water to benefit the people and wildlife of Illinois. CWLP’s coal ash has been violating groundwater standards here for years, and that pollution could be coming out in Sugar Creek. We’re filing this complaint to ask the Illinois Pollution Control Board to take action on the ongoing groundwater contamination happening at the Dallman coal ash ponds.”
For the last three years, the local group of the Sierra Club and allies have been raising issues of concern about the coal plant including the leaching unlined coal ash ponds that the city has failed to address. Additional background information available here.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.