In a new report, the Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice claim that “91 percent of U.S. coal plants are causing unsafe levels of groundwater contamination”, primarily with arsenic, but also with boron, lithium, and other toxic substances.
The environmental group says the report confirms the results of a 2019 study that named a number of central and western Pennsylvania coal-fired power plants, including the Conemaugh Generating Station, Homer City Generating Station, and the Keystone Generating Station in Indiana and Armstrong counties.
While the new report names a power plant in New Castle as one of the top ten groundwater polluters, the Indiana County sites fall far down the list. Conemaugh is number 155, with alleged unsafe levels of cobalt and sulfate. Homer City Generating Station is at number 246, with unsafe lithium contamination. The Keystone Generating Station is listed at number 281, with unsafe groundwater contamination, but no clear source.
The report tabs coal ash ponds as the major problem, claiming “nearly all coal plant owners are ignoring key requirements and employing common tricks to avoid mandatory cleanup” of coal ash.
https://environmentalintegrity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Poisonous-Coverup-11.03.22.pdf
Comments