Charlie Wilson: Mr. Pollution!

[sfc_oliver]

I wonder if there is an EPA email leaving part of this story out also? Seems the EPA isn't a real great source for the complete story these days.

[irishbobcat]

Fact Sheet: Coal Combustion Residues (CCR) - Surface Impoundments with High Hazard Potential Ratings

EPA530-F-09- 006
June 2009

Over the past several months, EPA has undertaken a concerted effort to identify and to assess the structural integrity of impoundments, dams, or other management units, within the electric power generating industry, holding wet-handled coal combustion residues or CCRs.

In response to an EPA information request on units handling wet or slurried CCRs, electric utilities have so far identified a total of 427 units managing slurried CCRs. Forty-four (44) of these units at 26 different locations have been assigned a high hazard potential rating, using the criteria developed by the National Dam Safety Program for the National Inventory of Dams. Hazard potential ratings are generally assigned by the State Dam Safety officials.

The National Inventory of Dams hazard potential ratings address the potential consequences of failure or misoperation of the dam. A high hazard potential rating indicates that a failure will probably cause loss of human life. The rating is not an indication of the structural integrity of the unit or the possibility that a failure will occur in the future; it merely allows dam safety and other officials to determine where significant damage or loss of life may occur if there is a structural failure of the unit. EPA's assessment of the 26 facilities that have units with high hazard potential ratings continues to be an Agency priority. EPA has conducted on-site assessments, which are undergoing Agency review, at 11 of these facilities. The remaining 15 of these facilities have had state inspections within the past 12 months and EPA will be reviewing the reports from those inspections. EPA plans to make public the results of our assessments as soon as they are completed.

CCRs consist of fly ash, bottom ash, coal slag, and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) residue. CCRs contain a broad range of metals, for example, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, lead, and mercury, but the concentrations of these are generally low. However, if not properly managed, (for example, in lined units), CCRs may cause a risk to human health and the environment and, in fact, EPA has documented cases of environmental damage.

Information on the presence of these is important to States, local officials, including first responders, and the residents of local communities so that appropriate preparedness efforts can be undertaken, reviewed, or maintained.

Many States have active dam safety programs and, in many cases, local government agencies, first responders, and the local community are involved in preparedness efforts. By providing this information, EPA's goal is to assist in these efforts.

The following 44 CCR management units at 26 facilities currently have a High Hazard Potential rating:

List of 44 High Hazard Potential Units Company Facility Name Unit Name Location/State Contact
Allegheny Energy Pleasants Power Station McElroy's Run Embankment Willow Island, W VA
American Electric Power Big Sandy Fly Ash Louisa, KY
American Electric Power Cardinal Fly Ash Reservoir 2 Brilliant, OH
American Electric Power General James M Gavin Fly Ash Pond Cheshire, OH
American Electric Power General James M Gavin Bottom Ash Pond Cheshire,OH
American Electric Power Muskingum River Unit 5 Bottom Ash Pond (Lower Fly Ash Pond) Waterford, OH
American Electric Power Muskingum River Upper Fly Ash Pond Waterford, OH
American Electric Power Muskingum River Middle Fly Ash Pond Waterford, OH


EPA will update this fact sheet as additional information becomes available.



EPA will update this fact sheet as additional information becomes available.

God Bless Charlie Wilson....Dirty Coal is his
Argentine Mistriss!