Feb. 8
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said 22 electric utilities
have detailed their plans to make coal ash impoundments safer.
The action plans are a response to EPA´s assessment reports on the
structural integrity of these impoundments that the agency made public
last September. The EPA began surveying coal ash impoundments after the
failure of one such coal ash pound at the Tennessee Valley Authority´s
Kingston plant.
"EPA is committed to making communities across the country safer places
to live," said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA´s
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "The information we are
releasing today shows that we continue to make progress in our efforts
to prevent future coal ash spills."
The government agency will now provide copies of on-site inspections of
coal ash ponds and impoundments at electric facilities, along with
action plans where needed. The current release details recommendations
for improvements of 43 impoundments at 22 facilities. Many of these
facilities have already begun implementing government recommendations.
Also released today were assessment reports at an additional 40 coal ash
impoundments at 16 nationwide facilities. Most of the 40 impoundments
have a rating of "high" or "significant" hazard potential.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/surveys2/index.htm
Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at
330-865-6166 or
asmith-teutsch@crain.com
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