Search Climate Insights Directory

The document details the environmental impact of coal ash at Nevada's power plants, highlighting significant groundwater contamination at the Reid Gardner and North Valmy stations and the lack of state-mandated safeguards for disposal sites.

Oklahoma electric utilities generate 1.5 million tons of coal ash annually, ranking 28th in the US. The state's disposal infrastructure consists of five ponds and two landfills, with EPA inspections identifying all four ponds at the Hugo Power Station as being in "poor" condition. Significant groundwater contamination is reported at the Northeastern Station, where selenium, arsenic, lead, and barium exceed federal drinking water standards. Additionally, residents in Bokoshe report high rates of asthma and cancer linked to fugitive dust from a local landfill. The document argues that Oklahoma's regulatory framework is insufficient, as it does not mandate groundwater monitoring or composite liners for all coal ash disposal sites.

The Boardman facility in Morrow County, operated by Portland General Electric Co, generates 99,900 tons of coal combustion waste annually. Between 1985 and 2010, 794,700 tons of coal ash were disposed of onsite. Hazardous contaminants, including selenium, vanadium, and total dissolved solids, have leached into groundwater, exceeding Oregon and EPA standards since 1981, affecting water used for commercial irrigation and supply.

Pennsylvania ranks first in the U.S. for coal ash generation, producing over 15.4 million tons annually. The state's disposal infrastructure consists of 77 ponds and 28 landfills, many of which are unlined and over 35 years old. The document details 10 specific cases of groundwater and surface water contamination, including the Bruce Mansfield Power Station's Little Blue Run Impoundment, the largest unlined coal ash pond in the U.S. It further argues that Pennsylvania's regulations are deficient because they grandfather in old impoundments and classify coal ash monofills as 'Class III residual waste landfills,' exempting them from protective requirements like composite liners.

The report documents widespread groundwater and surface water contamination in Virginia caused by coal ash ponds and landfills, highlighting critical failures in state regulatory oversight. It identifies specific high-risk 'significant hazard' dams and contaminated sites across the Commonwealth, noting that 76% of these facilities are located in low-income communities or communities of color. The authors argue that current Virginia regulations are inadequate—failing to mandate liners or consistent groundwater monitoring—and urge the state to adopt the more stringent 2014 EPA coal ash rule while opposing H.R. 1734, a federal bill that would weaken those protections.

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.

West Virginia ranks 4th in the U.S. for coal ash generation, producing over 7.2 million tons annually. The state's disposal infrastructure is characterized by aging, often unlined ponds with significant safety hazards and documented water contamination. The document argues that West Virginia's regulatory framework is deficient, failing to require basic safeguards, regular state inspections, groundwater monitoring, or financial assurances for cleanup.

The report details how coal ash, the second-largest industrial waste stream in the U.S., contains toxic heavy metals that leach into groundwater and surface water or become airborne as fugitive dust. It highlights the inadequacy of current state-level regulations and the failure of unlined disposal ponds, citing numerous 'damage cases' where communities have suffered from contaminated drinking water and ecological collapse. The authors advocate for a transition away from wet storage and unencapsulated reuse, calling for federal standards to protect susceptible populations, particularly children and low-income communities.

The report identifies 67 planned coal-to-biomass projects in the EU that could increase biomass consumption by 607 PJ per year, potentially tripling the current levels of biomass burnt in coal power plants. This expansion would require approximately 36 million tonnes of wood pellets annually, which is similar to current global production. The authors argue that these projects are expensive, rely on public subsidies, and risk accelerating climate change because the CO2 emitted during combustion is not reabsorbed quickly enough to meet Paris Agreement targets. The report highlights that five countries—Finland, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands—are responsible for most of this potential growth, with the Netherlands accounting for 25%.

A fact sheet analyzing 210 U.S. coal plants, finding that 99% are more expensive to operate than replacing them with new wind or solar. It highlights the potential for $589 billion in investment in energy communities and the feasibility of integrating battery storage to maintain grid reliability.

The report by Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific criticizes the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for continuing to fund coal-fired power plants and mines despite its own policies recognizing the risks of climate change. It highlights specific projects in India, Pakistan, and the Philippines where ADB funding led to environmental degradation and community harm. The document calls for a total ban on new coal financing and a shift toward renewable energy alternatives.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global infrastructure and economic cooperation framework led by China, focusing on energy and transport connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa. While marketed as a 'win-win' development strategy, the document argues it often serves Chinese domestic interests, such as exporting industrial overcapacity and asserting geopolitical influence. The briefing highlights significant environmental risks, particularly the funding of coal-fired power plants and large hydropower projects, and a lack of transparent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) safeguards. It identifies a 'debt trap' risk for recipient countries and calls for a shift toward a 'Green BRI' aligned with international sustainability standards.

The document analyzes the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a strategic tool for China to export industrial overcapacity and expand global influence. It highlights a systemic lack of transparency, the dominance of state-owned enterprises, and significant environmental risks, particularly through the financing of coal and hydropower projects. While China promotes a 'Green BRI' and 'ecological civilization,' the report argues that actual implementation often lacks rigorous safeguards, leading to 'debt traps' and biodiversity loss. It calls for international civil society to push for binding treaties on multinationals and the adoption of higher environmental and social standards.

The report identifies a widening gap between coal capacity and generation, particularly in China and India, where new plants are built as 'system insurance' while renewables displace coal in actual output. Globally, the coal pipeline is narrowing geographically, with 95% of construction concentrated in China and India. However, the report notes a significant slowdown in retirements in the U.S. and EU due to policy interventions and energy security concerns. Regional analyses highlight Indonesia's growth in captive coal for industrial processing, the U.S.'s political push to sustain aging plants, and the EU's structural shift toward a coal-free system. The document also examines the impact of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the Western Balkans and the challenges of rebuilding Ukraine's energy system.

The document details how the 'nickel fever' for electric vehicle batteries is threatening the biodiversity and indigenous communities of Raja Ampat, Papua. It highlights the ecological destruction of coral reefs and mangroves caused by sediment runoff from open-pit mining, the violation of indigenous land rights, and the contradiction of a 'green transition' powered by coal-fired smelters. The report identifies specific companies operating in the region and calls for the Indonesian government and international stakeholders to halt mining in small islands and enforce strict human rights and environmental due diligence.

Derek Cabe describes the devastating impact of super-typhoons in the Philippines and advocates for legal accountability for major fossil fuel corporations. He highlights the findings of the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights, which linked carbon pollution to human rights violations, and calls for the protection of land and environmental defenders who face violence and 'red-tagging' while opposing coal-fired power plants.

The SAVi assessment of the N’Diaye wind farm in Senegal demonstrates that while coal-fired power may appear more financially attractive under traditional business-as-usual scenarios, the wind farm provides superior societal value and lower costs when climate risks and externalities are integrated. The wind project is estimated to generate 158.7 MW of electricity and create significantly more employment (66 FTE/year) with substantially lower life cycle emissions (0.1 million tonnes of CO2) compared to coal (6.1 million tonnes) and HFO (2.2 million tonnes). When accounting for climate risks and externalities, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for the wind farm is CFA 43,266 per MWh, making it more affordable than coal (CFA 52,998 per MWh) and HFO (CFA 155,728 per MWh).

The document analyzes how state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the G20 and beyond are shifting investments from coal to renewables due to cost competitiveness and climate policies. It highlights specific transitions in China (CEIC), India (Coal India Limited), and Sweden (Vattenfall), while noting that some SOEs, particularly in China, continue to invest in coal-fired power abroad. The text also discusses the role of SOEs in providing social protection during the energy transition and mentions similar shifts in the oil and gas sectors in Saudi Arabia, Norway, and Denmark.

The document details the transition of public finance institutions away from fossil fuel investments, highlighting the role of G20 governments and multilateral development banks in implementing restrictions on coal, oil, and gas financing to align with the Paris Agreement.

The community audit of the Sendou coal-fired power plant in Bargny, Senegal, reveals significant violations of environmental and human rights. Key findings include the discharge of hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater into Lake Khouloup, air pollution from unconfined coal and ash piles, and the expropriation of land previously designated for victims of coastal erosion without just compensation. The report also highlights the disruption of local economic activities, specifically fish processing at Khelcom, and the restriction of access to a sacred baobab tree, violating religious freedoms.