Georgia and the Threat from Coal Ash Disposal in Pond and Landfills

The document details the prevalence of coal ash ponds and landfills in Georgia, noting that the state ranks 8th in the U.S. for coal ash generation. It highlights the age and hazardous ratings of these sites, specific instances of water contamination and structural failures, and the lack of state-level regulations regarding liners, monitoring, and emergency planning.

• Georgia generates nearly 6.1 million tons of coal ash annually, ranking 8th in the United States for coal ash generation.
• There are 30 coal ash ponds at 10 power plants in Georgia, with 16 active and 14 inactive. Two are rated as 'high hazard' (where failure could cause loss of human life) and 10 are rated as 'significant hazard' (where failure likely causes economic or environmental damage).
• Most coal ash ponds in Georgia are over 30 years old, making the presence of liners and leachate collection systems unlikely. A 2007 EPA risk assessment identified at least 11 unlined surface impoundments and landfills in the state, with at least 10 lacking leachate collection and nine lacking groundwater monitoring.
• Documented contamination and releases include a 2002 sinkhole at Plant Bowen that released approximately 2.25 million gallons of ash/water mixture into a tributary of Euharlee Creek, a 2008 stack failure at Plant Bowen, and a 2000 slurry discharge at Harllee Branch. Additionally, groundwater monitoring at Plant Yates showed exceedances of federal health standards for nickel, selenium, and chromium.
• Georgia's regulatory framework for coal ash is described as among the weakest in the U.S., lacking requirements for emergency action plans, inundation maps, closure bonds, liners, or monitoring wells. State inspections are rare, with only 7 percent of dams inspected in the last five years.

APA

Earthjustice (n.d.). Georgia and the Threat from Coal Ash Disposal in Pond and Landfills. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/ga-coal-ash-factsheet-0412.pdf

Chicago

Earthjustice. Georgia and the Threat from Coal Ash Disposal in Pond and Landfills. n.d. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/ga-coal-ash-factsheet-0412.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Earthjustice |title=Georgia and the Threat from Coal Ash Disposal in Pond and Landfills |url=https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/ga-coal-ash-factsheet-0412.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{earthjusticendgeorgia, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{Georgia and the Threat from Coal Ash Disposal in Pond and Landfills}}, institution = {Earthjustice}, url = {https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/ga-coal-ash-factsheet-0412.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }