The EPA may force Alabama to dig out millions of tons of toxic coal ash from unlined ponds, a move that would reduce risk and pollution but would likely cost billions.
This photo from an EPA inspection report shows coal ash material being discharged into the disposal lagoons at Alabama Power's Plant Barry in Bucks, Ala.Alabama is awaiting a final decision from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on whether the state can allow millions of tons of coal ash to remain in unlined ponds on the banks of rivers.
Leaving the ash in place could mean indefinite pollution of Alabama’s groundwater with substances like arsenic, lead, mercury and other toxins, and leave the possibility of a catastrophic dam breach like the one that occurred inIn August, the EPA made a preliminary decision that Alabama’s state program for allowing utilities to close coal ash ponds did not go far enough.
“Under the federal regulations,” the agency said, “surface impoundments cannot be closed if, once closure is complete, the coal ash continues to be saturated by groundwater.” All of Alabama’s coal ash ponds appear to be in contact with groundwater, based on engineering reports from the utilities and outside advocacy groups.
“ADEM does not and cannot dictate to the power companies what method they must use,” ADEM Director Lance LeFleur wrote in aThe costs of any cleanup are likely to be significant. A 2020 Alabama Power estimate placed the cost of cover-in-place coal ash closures at $3.3 billion -- and that was the cheap option. That didn’t include excavating or removing the ash. It also didn’t include ash ponds managed by TVA and PowerSouth.
Alabama Power has not released any cost estimates on how much removal might cost, though the cost could be much higher.In some states, legislators or utility commissions required that utilities pick up some of the costs of coal ash cleanup instead of passing those expenses on to customers. That decision will be up to the Alabama Public Service Commission, which has said it isIf you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
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