Coal Ash Archives - Coosa River Basin Initiative

The Importance of Macroinvertebrates

August 21, 2023

What Are Macroinvertebrates? Macroinvertebrates serve as the ecological cleaning services in aquatic ecosystems. While the name may sound unfamiliar at first glance, Northwest Georgia is home to many macroinvertebrates you likely know, such as Crayfish, Mayflies, Dragonflies, Clams, Mussels, and more! While here these small and sometimes bothersome creatures may seem like little more than pests, they’re actually crucial to our rivers’ ecosystems. These organisms affect even our local water sources such as the Coosa River Basin and serve an…

Big News on Coal Ash from EPA

January 11, 2022

Advocacy, Blog Posts, Plant Hammond, Press Releases

Today, EPA took an enormous step toward addressing the real-world pollution concerns surrounding coal ash pond closure. In offering determinations on a handful of specific closure plans, EPA sent clear guidance on how the CCR (coal ash) Rule is to be implemented. From EPAs press release on January 11, 2022: “the proposed determinations re-state EPA’s consistently held position that surface impoundments or landfills cannot be closed with coal ash in contact with groundwater.” The press release further states that “Closure…

EPD Hears Concerns from Citizens at Virtual Hearing

August 11, 2021

Advocacy, Coverage

Coverage from EPDs virtual hearing on the closure plan for Plant Hammond’s AP-3.

Georgia Recorder Article Paints Grim Picture of Coal Ash in Georgia

August 9, 2021

Advocacy, Coverage

Here is an excellent overview of the coal ash problem across the state from Jill Nolin at Georgia Recorder.

GA Power Plans to Leave Toxic Coal Ash in Groundwater at Plant Hammond

August 5, 2021

Advocacy, Blog Posts

Georgia Power is seeking approval from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)for Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) permits to cap nearly 50 million tons of toxic coal ash inplace in unlined pits, starting with Plant Hammond’s 1 million ton Ash Pond 3 in Rome, GA. Plant Hammond’s Ash Pond 3 is partially located in the 100-year floodplain and regularly interacts with groundwater. As a result, this closure plan will allow toxic components of coal ash (such as arsenic, cadmium, selenium, and…

Fighting for Clean Water Under the Gold Dome

February 11, 2021

Advocacy

The 2021 Legislative Session is well under way. While CRBI is not traveling to the Capitol in person this year due to Covid restrictions, we are still actively promoting clean water with lawmakers across the state in conjunction with the Georgia Water Coalition. Here are our top priorities. Dedicating Environmental Trust Funds After the overwhelming approval of the Trust Fund Amendment (Amendment 1) in November, we are ready to protect environmental cleanup funding once and for all. The Constitutional Amendment…