The practice of accumulating toxic coal ash in marginally protected lagoons is unacceptable, reprehensible and must be stopped. Toxic metals become concentrated in coal ash and leach continually through the unlined lagoons, contaminating groundwater.
There are many cases of disastrous breaches of coal-ash lagoons devastating entire communities around the country. In fact, the 2008 coal ash spill in Tennessee was perhaps the worst of its kind. Coal burning must stop eventually, but until then a far more effective method for disposal of coal ash is necessary for the health of our water and our lives.
Americans of every background submitted more than 450,000 public comments during the EPA’s process of putting coal-ash standards in place. Many Americans have spoken, and hopefully their voices have not fallen on deaf ears.
— Tracey Roizman
Asheville
