Ohio and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary

The document details the distribution of 69 coal ash ponds across 23 plants in Ohio, noting that the state ranks 3rd in the US for coal ash generation. It highlights significant safety hazards, including ponds rated as 'poor' by the EPA and documented groundwater contamination at multiple sites. The text argues that Ohio's regulatory program is deficient because it exempts coal ash from the definition of solid waste, thereby avoiding requirements for groundwater monitoring, composite liners, and structural stability inspections.

• Ohio generates over 10 million tons of coal ash annually, ranking it 3rd in the United States for coal ash generation. There are 69 coal ash ponds distributed across 23 plants, with 8 rated as "high hazard," 17 as "significant hazard," and 13 rated as "Poor" by the EPA.
• Many coal ash disposal sites in Ohio lack basic safety infrastructure; 19 ponds are over 36 years old, and 11 are over 40 years old. A 2010 EPA risk assessment found at least seven unlined ponds and landfills, with seven lacking leachate collection systems and four lacking groundwater monitoring.
• Documented contamination has occurred at several Ohio sites. Examples include selenium and sulfate in public water wells at the Cinergy W.C. Beckjord Station, and groundwater at the Muskingum River Plant unlined landfill containing selenium up to 37 times, arsenic up to 6 times, and lead up to 13 times federal standards.
• Ohio's regulatory framework is described as failing because the state exempts coal ash from the definition of solid waste. This exemption means the state does not require composite liners, groundwater monitoring, financial assurance for clean-ups, or regulatory inspections for structural stability.

APA

Earthjustice (n.d.). Ohio and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/oh-coal-ash-factsheet-0812.pdf

Chicago

Earthjustice. Ohio and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary. n.d. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/oh-coal-ash-factsheet-0812.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Earthjustice |title=Ohio and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary |url=https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/oh-coal-ash-factsheet-0812.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{earthjusticendohio, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{Ohio and Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary}}, institution = {Earthjustice}, url = {https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/oh-coal-ash-factsheet-0812.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }