Minnesota and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills

The document details the prevalence of coal ash ponds in Minnesota, highlighting that nine are rated as 'significant hazard' and many lack modern liners due to their age. It argues that Minnesota's regulations are insufficient, failing to require comprehensive groundwater monitoring, composite liners for new sites, or financial assurances for cleanup. Evidence of environmental damage is cited, including groundwater contamination at the Sherburne County Generating Plant and Boswell Energy Center, and a note that low-income individuals are over-represented by 43% in zip codes hosting coal-fired power plants.

• Minnesota utilities generate more than 1.5 million tons of coal ash annually, ranking 26th in the United States for generation across 17 coal-fired power plants.
• There are 34 coal ash ponds at 10 plants in Minnesota, with nine classified as a 'significant hazard,' meaning a failure could lead to infrastructure damage, environmental harm, or economic loss.
• Many coal ash ponds in Minnesota are outdated, with 17 ponds over 30 years old and 5 over 40 years old, making the presence of leachate collection systems and liners unlikely.
• Minnesota's regulatory framework for coal ash dams is deficient, as it does not require design standards, inundation mapping, financial assurance bonds for cleanup, or safety inspections by dam operators.
• Groundwater contamination has been documented at several sites; the Sherburne County Generating Plant exceeded federal drinking water standards for various metals and chemicals, including arsenic, lead, and cadmium.
• There is a disproportionate impact on low-income populations, with these individuals over-represented by 43% in Minnesota zip codes that host coal-fired power plants.

APA

Earthjustice (n.d.). Minnesota and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/minnesota-ash-fact-sheet-dams-11.14.pdf

Chicago

Earthjustice. Minnesota and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills. n.d. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/minnesota-ash-fact-sheet-dams-11.14.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Earthjustice |title=Minnesota and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills |url=https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/minnesota-ash-fact-sheet-dams-11.14.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{earthjusticendminnesota, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{Minnesota and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills}}, institution = {Earthjustice}, url = {https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/minnesota-ash-fact-sheet-dams-11.14.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }