VIRGINIA COAL ASH DISPOSAL IN PONDS AND LANDFILLS

Virginia generates approximately 2.4 million tons of coal ash annually, ranking 18th in the U.S. The state's infrastructure includes 30 ponds at 11 plants, 13 of which are unlined and have an average age of 47 years, exceeding their 40-year projected lifespan. Eight ponds are classified as "significant hazard," with two rated in "poor" condition by the EPA, including sites at the Chesapeake Energy Center and Clinch River Power Plant. Contamination has led to two federal Superfund sites and significant ecological damage, such as a 1967 collapse at the Clinch River Plant that killed 217,000 fish. The document argues that Virginia's regulations are deficient, as they do not mandate composite liners, groundwater monitoring, or state inspections for all ash landfills and ponds.

• Virginia's coal ash infrastructure is aging and hazardous, with 30 ponds at 11 plants. Thirteen of these ponds are unlined and average 47 years in age, which is beyond the 40-year projected lifespan for such ponds. Eight ponds are designated as "significant hazard," meaning their failure would result in environmental or economic damage; four of these are unlined.
• The EPA has identified critical safety issues at specific sites. The Chesapeake Energy Center's ash and sedimentation pond received a "poor" rating in 2011 due to slope failures and the risk of releasing toxic ash into the Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay. Similarly, the Clinch River Power Plant's Ash Pond 2 was found to have an unreliable slope stability analysis, and the plant has a history of a major collapse in 1967.
• Coal ash has caused severe environmental contamination in Virginia, accounting for 100% of arsenic, chromium, and selenium releases to land, and over 92% of mercury releases. This has resulted in two federal Superfund sites, including the Chisman Creek coal ash landfill on the National Priority List. Other documented cases include groundwater contamination at Possum Point Power Station and the Battlefield Golf Course, and a massive fish kill of 217,000 fish at the Clinch River Plant in 1967.
• Virginia's regulatory framework for coal ash is described as deficient. The state does not require composite liners, groundwater monitoring, or daily cover for all ash landfills and ponds. Additionally, there are no requirements for state regulator inspections of ponds, no mandated post-closure monitoring for ponds, and no requirement for bonds to ensure safe operation or dam construction completion.

APA

Earthjustice (n.d.). VIRGINIA COAL ASH DISPOSAL IN PONDS AND LANDFILLS. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/virginia-ash-fact-sheet-2014-12.pdf

Chicago

Earthjustice. VIRGINIA COAL ASH DISPOSAL IN PONDS AND LANDFILLS. n.d. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/virginia-ash-fact-sheet-2014-12.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Earthjustice |title=VIRGINIA COAL ASH DISPOSAL IN PONDS AND LANDFILLS |url=https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/virginia-ash-fact-sheet-2014-12.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{earthjusticendvirginia, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{VIRGINIA COAL ASH DISPOSAL IN PONDS AND LANDFILLS}}, institution = {Earthjustice}, url = {https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/virginia-ash-fact-sheet-2014-12.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }