Brian Willis, Brian.Willis@sierraclub.org
ARLINGTON, VA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a public hearing yesterday to take input on “Phase 2b” of its proposed rollbacks of safeguards against coal ash pollution. The proposal under consideration would gut federal safeguards for coal ash waste piles and construction projects that use the toxic ash as a substitute for clean soil. At the hearing, the agency representatives were met with vocal denunciation by public health groups, environmental organizations, and outraged residents that have suffered significant health issues due to widespread contamination from local coal ash waste pits.
“The outrage the EPA witnessed yesterday hopefully serves as a wake-up call to former coal lobbyist and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler,” said Mary Anne Hitt, Senior Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign. “Hundreds of communities across the country live in constant fear from the toxic coal ash pollution generated from burning coal. The air, water and soil in these communities is jeopardized daily by this toxic waste, and with this proposal, Wheeler is showing that he simply doesn’t care.”
Wheeler’s proposal to gut safeguards put in place in 2015 against toxic coal ash is widely viewed as a gift to the utility industry, since it would further strip them of accountability for properly disposing of their coal ash. Coal ash is a hazardous substance that contains some of the deadliest chemicals known to human health, including arsenic, hexavalent chromium, lead and radium - and it must be disposed of with care to prevent contaminating the environment. U.S. coal plants generate more than 110 million tons of coal ash each year without strong federal standards that ensure its safe disposal.
“As a long-term resident of a coal producing state, I’m dumbfounded on Wheeler’s indifference to our concerns, especially considering the numerous coal ash spills and contamination that has happened over the past several decades,” Hitt continued. “He may not care, but we do. We will fight any attempt by Wheeler to brush off the testimony of these brave and compelling speakers and will hold EPA accountable to any decision that weakens safeguards for working people against toxic coal ash.”
The proposal at issue at yesterday’s hearing could exempt many coal ash projects involving placement of toxic coal ash on land from any regulation. Regardless of the volume of toxic ash used, there would be no requirements to provide notice to communities, to test ash for heavy metals, to determine radioactivity or leaching potential, to control hazardous fugitive dust, or to prevent toxic leaking to groundwater.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.