Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
From Hartwell Carson, riverkeeper, Western North Carolina Alliance:
(Tuesday) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold its third public hearing on proposed coal ash regulations in Charlotte. Hundreds of speakers are expected to testify in favor of regulating coal ash as a hazardous waste. Coal ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, contains toxic chemicals like arsenic, lead and mercury, which can lead to cancer and serious damage to the nervous system.
“Hundreds of people have turned out at the public hearings across the country and hundreds more are expected to come to the one in Charlotte. The sheer number of people willing to travel long distances, take off work and give up valuable time with their families shows just how serious the problem of toxic coal ash is,” said Mary Ann Hitt, Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign.
Coal plants are the second largest source of industrial waste in the country—and the pollution they generate is staggering. Every year, coal-fired power plants generate roughly 140 million tons of ash.
The Tar Heel state is home to 13 coal ash ponds, more than any other state in the country, each of them designated as a high-hazard. North Carolina has little to no regulation of coal ash at the state level. This lack of regulation has caused the concern of clean water advocates for years as the potential for coal ash to seep into to groundwater is great.
“Water contamination from coal ash has already been reported in Buncombe, Robeson, Nash and Northampton counties. While it might not be shocking in a state with more high-hazard ponds than any other state in the country, but it is unacceptable,” said Upper Watauga Riverkeeper, Donna Lisenby.
The French Broad Riverkeeper, Hartwell Carson, has documented groundwater, surface water, and coal ash blowing into surrounding neighborhoods. Carson explained that “now is the time to regulate coal ash, and protect our communities and rivers.”
Environmental groups and activists across the state are calling for the EPA to impose strict new guidelines on coal ash ponds by regulating coal ash as a hazardous pollutant, preventing new waste ponds, and phasing out existing coal ash ponds.
“It is time for the EPA to act and protect North Carolina’s drinking water from coal ash. This hearing today will show that North Carolinians favor clean water, not dirty coal,” said Environment North Carolina Policy Advocate, Margaret Hartzell.
