An investigation into the cause of the TVA spill has sent a ripple of new standards for coal ash impoundments throughout the country, including a survey conducted by the EPA of all electric utilities. The EPA found nearly 600 ash ponds. The most ponds were found in Indiana, with 53 ponds. Kentucky came in close second with 44 ponds. The survey also found significant deficiencies in the way some of the impoundment ponds have been inspected, though which ponds and where were not disclosed.

In 2000, the EPA deemed coal ash a nonhazardous material, and thus it did not fall under federal inspections. Inspections are left up to state regulators. Since 2000, improved pollution controls keep more and more toxins from leaving smokestack, thus increasing the amount of toxins in the coal ash. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead, chromium, manganese and barium, all of which have been shown to contribute to serious health conditions such as cancer, liver damage and neurological complications.

The Obama administration has promised to adopt national standards for the handling of coal combustion wastes including coal ash ponds, though no time line has yet been set. The EPA says it will analyze the findings of the survey. A report will be made public by the first of next year.

Source: Courier-Journal

SOURCE: Coal Ash Spill › Some of nation’s coal ash ponds have significant deficiencies

Coal ash contains toxins such as arsenic, lead, barium, chromium and manganese. These toxins have been associated with serious health conditions such as cancer, liver damage and neurological complications. When the coal ash spilled from the Kingston TVA plant, it poured over property and into nearby rivers. While the contaminants are being cleaned from the ground and waterways, some scientists worry that long term effects on wildlife and plant life could ultimately affect human life.

Indiana has 13 coal ash ponds in 13 different counties. The largest, containing nearly 900,000 tons of ash, is located in Gibson County. Gibson is located in the southwestern part of the state and has a population of about 35,000.

Indiana’s coal-fired power plants export about 24 percent of the electricity they generate. Environmentalists have raised concerns about the serious health concerns associated with coal combustion, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, stroke and sudden infant dath syndrome. According to the report, Indiana has the third highest emissions of sulfur dioxide, which has been strongly associated with human deaths.

SOURCE: Coal Ash Spill › Indianans worry about their coal ash impoundments