Georgia Coal Ash Resources & News
Reports & Factsheets
The dangers coal ash poses to Georgia communities, wildlife and waterways are clear and well documented. It must be disposed of safely to protect the health of our state.
92 million tons is the estimated amount of toxic coal ash stored at sites all across Georgia. More than half is planned to be capped in place and stored in unlined pits.
This presentation slide deck details the dangers of toxic coal ash and explains Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s (GA EPD) process for permitting the permanent storage and handling of all 92 million tons of coal ash needing to be contained across Georgia.
A report written by Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice, finds that toxic coal ash pollutants are leaking into groundwater from 92% of Georgia coal-fired power plants, according to analysis of industry data made available for the first time in 2018.
11 of the state’s 12 coal-fired power plants are leaking pollution into the state’s underground water supplies, and 10 of these 11 polluting plants are owned by a single company, Georgia Power.
Coal ash, the toxic remains of coal burning in power plants, is full of chemicals that cause cancer, developmental disorders and reproductive problems. It poisons our air and water, and kills fish and wildlife.
Source: Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Toxicological Profiles. www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiledocs
Doing It Right is a jobs study by IBEW 1638 & Northern Plains Resource Council that aims to shed light on coal ash cleanup work being done around the country and highlight the specific environmental and economic benefits of full excavation coal ash cleanup.
The takeaway from the reports is that robust full excavation cleanup creates hundreds of good-paying jobs, permanently repairs local groundwater, and stimulates broad economic prosperity for the local community.
New evidence confirms that Georgia Power’s unlined coal ash pits slated to be capped in place are already submerged in groundwater, which the utility intends to use as a permanent waste dumping ground.
Not only is that illegal under state and federal laws, Georgia Power’s closure plans mean that nearly 50 million tons of toxic coal ash will continue to degrade and contaminate Georgia’s groundwater forever.
Water and air in 34 states are being poisoned by the waste of coal-fired power plants—creating major health risks for children and adults—according to the report, Coal Ash: The Toxic Threat, released by Earthjustice and Physicians for Social Responsibility.
The ground-breaking study connects the contamination occurring at hundreds of coal ash dumps and waste ponds across the country to health threats such as cancer, nerve damage and impairment of a child's ability to write, read and learn.
Fly ash particles (a major component of coal ash) can become lodged in the deepest part of your lungs, where they trigger asthma, inflammation and immunological reactions. Studies link these particulates to the four leading causes of death in the U.S.: heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and stroke. In addition, respirable crystalline silica in coal ash can also lodge in the lungs and cause silicosis or scarring of lung tissue, which can result in disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease and cancer. Lastly, the presence of heavy metals in coal ash, such as lead, arsenic and hexavalent chromium, and the radioactivity of some ashes may increase the harm caused by inhalation.
According to a U.S. EPA damage case assessment, proven damage cases in Georgia include an incident at Georgia Power Company's Plant Bowen: “This unlined CCW management unit was put in service in 1968. On July 28, 2002, a sinkhole developed in the (coal) ash pond of the Georgia Power Company - Plant Bowen Facility (coal-fired generating facility). The sinkhole ultimately reached four acres and a depth of thirty feet. The integrity of the ash pond dikes did not appear to be compromised. The company estimated that 2.25 million gallons of ash/water mixture was released to an unnamed tributary of the Euharlee Creek, containing 281 tons of ash. Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources alleges an unpermitted discharge of water containing approximately 80 tons of ash slurry entered Euharlee Creek through a stormwater drainage pipe resulting in a temporary degradation of public waters.”
News & Media
How a Powerful Company Convinced Georgia to Let It Bury Toxic Waste in Groundwater - January 18, 2022 | ProPublica
EPA stance could change Georgia Power plan to leave coal ash in groundwater - January 14, 2022 | Atlanta Journal Constitution
Georgia Power coal ash storage plans in limbo after new EPA crack down - January 11, 2022 | Georgia Recorder
Georgia coal ash fights hit pivotal point in metro Atlanta and beyond - November 5, 2021 | Atlanta Journal Constitution
The Coal Plant Next Door - March 22, 2021 | ProPublica
A Georgia Town Tackles Water, Coal Ash And Politics In 'Saving Juliette' - March 18, 2021 | Georgia Public Broadcasting
A Power Company’s Quiet Land-Buying Spree Could Shield It From Coal Ash Cleanup Costs - November 24, 2020 | ProPublica
Sunken Costs: Coal Ash in Georgia - Investigative Series by Max Blau | Georgia Health News
The Water Is Toxic in the Town With America's Largest Coal Plant - August 7, 2020 | VICE News
Brian Kemp's Georgia Has a Coal Ash Problem. Just Ask the Little Town of Juliette. - February 27, 2020 | Esquire
Georgia Eyes Higher Coal Ash Fee; Residents Seek More Action - February 24, 2020 | U.S. News
Ashes To Ashes: A Georgia town welcomed America's largest coal plant. Now, residents worry it's contaminating their water. - January 13, 2020 | Grist
How A Giant Coal Ash Dump is Hurting Rural Georgia - July 10, 2019 | OZY Investigation
Report: Georgia Coal Plants are Poisoning Water - December 14, 2018 | 11Alive
Special Report Coal Ash Conflict - February 9, 2017 | WTOC 11
Wayne County Georgia: When Scavengers Knock At the Door - June 26, 2016 | Phil Butler
In Georgia, a Small-Town Newspaper Owner Takes on a Goliath Waste Company - June 9, 2016 | Columbia Journalism Review
From Ashes Such as These, What Can Rise? by Janisse Ray - April 12, 2016 | The Bitter Southerner
YOUTHFUEL: Scherer Power Plant - September 16, 2014 | Climate Reality Project
America’s Dirty Secret: Coal Ash - April 19, 2014 | Earth Focus: Episode 64
Along A Dusty Road - January 19, 2013 | Like The Dew
A Power Plant, Cancer and a Small Town’s Fears - April 1, 2012 | CNN
CNN Podcast: Power Plant’s Neighbors Complain of Illness
Web Resources & Databases
GA Environmental Protection Division: Coal Ash Information & Permits
epd.georgia.gov/public-announcements-0/coal-ash-information
Georgia Coal Ash Communities Facebook Group
facebook.com/groups/georgiacoalash
Georgia Water Coalition: Coal Ash Committee
Protect Georgia | Georgia Water Coalition
Earthjustice: Coal Ash Contaminates Our Lives (Reports & Publications)
earthjustice.org/advocacy-campaigns/coal-ash
Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC): Coal Ash
southernenvironment.org/cases-and-projects/coal-waste
Environmental Integrity Project: Coal Ash Groundwater Contamination & Monitoring Database
environmentalintegrity.org/coal-ash-groundwater-contamination
Ashtracker | Environmental Integrity Project
Southeast Coal Ash | Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
US Environmental Protection Agency: Coal Ash (Coal Combustion Residuals)
Environmental Working Group: National Tap Water Database
Toll From Coal | Clean Air Task Force (Report)