New Reports: GA Power Coal Ash Submerged in Groundwater

Atlanta, GA—New evidence confirms that Georgia Power’s unlined coal ash pits proposed to be capped in place are submerged in groundwater, and that the utility seeks to close its ash ponds by using Georgia’s groundwater as a permanent waste dumping ground, which is unlawful under state and federal laws.

On behalf of Altamaha Riverkeeper, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, and Coosa River Basin Initiative, the Southern Environmental Law Center has submitted site-specific expert reports and a summary letter to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) detailing the numerous, significant flaws in Georgia Power’s closure plans for nearly 50 million tons of ash at Plants Scherer (Macon), Wansley (south of Carrollton), Yates (Newnan), McDonough (Smyrna), and Hammond (Rome).

“Georgia Power’s plans to fill and cap coal ash ponds where they already sit submerged in Georgia’s groundwater and that are within some of the most important watersheds in the state are beyond reckless,” said Jen Hilburn of Altamaha Riverkeeper. “Georgia EPD allowing the utility to continue with these plans would be an unprecedented giveaway of Georgia’s natural resources to a single industry, and in violation of the law.”

Citing Georgia Power’s publicly-available engineering plans, expert analysis of the hydrology of the sites,  flood maps, and other data, the reports show that all nine of Georgia Power’s ponds slated for cap in place are sitting in up to 97 feet of groundwater, and that the proposed closure plans will perpetuate pollution, rather than safeguard Georgia’s groundwater and surface waters. The reports also detail serious flaws in Georgia Power’s permit applications, including failure to disclose necessary information concerning the extent of contamination that these waste dumps are causing.

Georgia Power submitted much of this evidence relatively recently to EPD in an attempt to obtain permits for closing these waste pits under the state Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule adopted in Georgia in 2016.

The coal ash ponds at five sites spanning from middle to northeastern Georgia are located in some of the least-suitable areas of the state for storing toxic pollution, including populated areas, flood zones, and state-designated “most significant ground-water recharge areas” that would ban unlined household garbage landfills in the same locations. Evidence in the reports disproves Georgia Power’s assertions that the so-called “advanced engineering” techniques used for the proposed closure of these ponds will be protective of groundwater, public health and safety.

“The public relations terminology we’ve heard from Georgia Power for years concerning the effectiveness of these closure plans are now soundly disproven by the evidence,” said Chris Bowers, Senior Attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center. “In reality, the utility’s plans to coopt Georgia’s groundwater as a permanent dumping ground for its coal ash waste are plainly unlawful, and we hope that EPD agrees.” 

In delivering the letter and the accompanying reports to EPD, the groups are urging that the agency deny Georgia Power’s permits to leave coal ash in place at its remaining five plants due to the fact that Georgia Power’s closure plans are unlawful under both Georgia and federal solid waste laws, which prohibit pollution, rather than allowing it to continue.

“Georgia Power has already shown that excavation and removal is appropriate and feasible, including a recent decision to excavate additional sites that are substantially larger than any of these ponds in question,” said Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, Executive Director and Riverkeeper for the Coosa River Basin Initiative. “As other Southeastern utilities have committed to handling this waste responsibly, it’s past time for Georgia Power to extend its commitment and remove all of its coal ash to modern, lined, and permitted landfills away from Georgia’s waters.”

“When it comes to responsibly disposing of the remainder of Georgia’s coal ash, EPD is facing a monumental decision impacting millions of Georgians, now and for decades to come,” said Jason Ulseth, Riverkeeper for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. “We strongly urge EPD to ensure that Georgia Power complies with federal and state law. The only way to do that is to fully remove all coal ash from the groundwater so that it is not allowed to further pollute the environment.”

Click here to download the letter and expert reports.

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About Southern Environmental Law Center:

For more than 30 years, the Southern Environmental Law Center has used the power of the law to champion the environment of the Southeast. With over 80 attorneys and nine offices across the region, SELC is widely recognized as the Southeast’s foremost environmental organization and regional leader. SELC works on a full range of environmental issues to protect our natural resources and the health and well-being of all the people in our region. southernenvironment.org

About Altamaha Riverkeeper:

Altamaha Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization that’s been dedicated to the protection, defense, and restoration of the Altamaha, Ocmulgee, Oconee & Ohoopee Rivers and the Golden Isles since 1999.  With the largest river system draining into the SE Atlantic Ocean, Altamaha Riverkeeper continues to protect the rights of our communities use and enjoyment of over 700 miles of rivers in Georgia and hundreds of miles of navigable waterways along our Golden Isles. www.altamahariverkeeper.org

About Chattahoochee Riverkeeper:

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s (CRK) mission is to advocate and secure the protection and stewardship of the Chattahoochee River, including its lakes, tributaries and watershed, in order to restore and conserve their ecological health for the people and wildlife that depend on the river system. Join CRK for a Relay Down the Hooch to celebrate CRK’s 25^th Anniversary.

About Coosa River Basin Initiative:

CRBI is a 501c3 non-profit environmental organization based in Rome, Georgia with the mission to protect, preserve and restore one of North America’s most biologically diverse river systems, the upper Coosa River basin. Learn more at www.coosa.org