CLEANING UP COAL ASH FOR GOOD

The document advocates for the complete removal of coal ash from storage ponds ("clean closure") rather than capping them in place. Based on studies of three power plants in South Carolina, Indiana, and Montana, the authors find that clean closures generate 2 to 7.5 times more positive economic impact for local communities than cap-in-place alternatives. The text highlights that 92 percent of coal ash ponds pollute groundwater above federal drinking water standards and that these burdens disproportionately affect low-income communities and people of color. It calls on the EPA, state officials, and Congress to enforce the 2015 Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule and provide financial resources for a just transition.

• Industry data indicates that 92 percent of coal ash ponds contaminate underlying groundwater at levels exceeding federal drinking water standards, introducing carcinogens, neurotoxins, and developmental toxins into the water supply.
• A comparison of closure methods at the Grainger Generating Station (South Carolina), Michigan City Generating Station (Indiana), and Colstrip Steam Electric Station (Montana) shows that clean closures—where all ash is removed—result in 2 to 7.5 times greater positive economic impact for the local communities compared to cap-in-place alternatives.
• The social, economic, and health burdens of coal ash pollution in the U.S. are disproportionately borne by low-income communities and people of color; all three sites analyzed in the report are located near such populations.
• The document recommends that the EPA strictly enforce the 2015 Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule, specifically the prohibitions against cap-in-place closures when ash is in contact with groundwater or located in a floodplain.

APA

Earthjustice (2021). CLEANING UP COAL ASH FOR GOOD. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/coal_ash_report_fact_sheet.pdf

Chicago

Earthjustice. CLEANING UP COAL ASH FOR GOOD. 2021. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/coal_ash_report_fact_sheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Earthjustice |title=CLEANING UP COAL ASH FOR GOOD |date=July 2021 |url=https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/coal_ash_report_fact_sheet.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{earthjustice2021cleaning, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{CLEANING UP COAL ASH FOR GOOD}}, institution = {Earthjustice}, year = {2021}, month = jul, url = {https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/coal_ash_report_fact_sheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }