EPA Posts List of 44 High Hazard Potential Coal Ash Waste Impoundments
WASHINGTON
– As part of its ongoing efforts to protect human health and the environment,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has posted a list of 44 “high hazard
potential” impoundments containing coal combustion residuals, commonly referred
to as coal ash, at 26 different coal burning electric utility facilities. EPA is
releasing this information after interagency coordination with FEMA’s Risk
Analysis Division Mitigation Directorate and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Designating these units reflects EPA’s commitment to assessing risks and
vulnerabilities in order to protect critical infrastructure—and the American
people—from disaster. A high hazard potential rating is not related to the
stability of those impoundments but to the potential for harm should the
impoundment fail.
“The presence of liquid coal ash impoundments near our
homes, schools and business could pose a serious risk to life and property in
the event of an impoundment rupture” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “By
compiling a list of these facilities, EPA will be better able to identify and
reduce potential risks by working with states and local emergency
responders.”
Following the failure of an impoundment at the TVA facility in
Kingston, Tennessee, in December 2008, EPA has been
gathering information on coal combustion residual impoundments from electrical
utilities nation wide and conducting on-site evaluations to determine the
impoundments’ vulnerabilities. Working closely with other federal agencies and
the states, EPA will review the information gathered from this investigation and
will require appropriate action at any facility that is found to pose a risk.
The results and analysis of this investigation will be compiled in a report and
made available to the public and will help strengthen our ability to protect the
American people, which is our foremost and urgent priority.
The list of
units was compiled from information submitted to EPA by the electric utilities
in response to EPA’s March 9, 2009 information request. The 44 units will
receive high priority attention as EPA continues its assessment of impoundment
safety.
As announced by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, on March 9,
2009, EPA has committed to proposing regulation on the management of coal
combustion wastes by December 31, 2009.
More information on the list of
the units and other information on EPA’s efforts in this area: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/ccrs-fs/index.htm
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June 30, 2009
EPA Posts List of 44 High Hazard Potential Coal Ash Waste Impoundments
WASHINGTON
– As part of its ongoing efforts to protect human health and the environment,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has posted a list of 44 “high hazard
potential” impoundments containing coal combustion residuals, commonly referred
to as coal ash, at 26 different coal burning electric utility facilities. EPA is
releasing this information after interagency coordination with FEMA’s Risk
Analysis Division Mitigation Directorate and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Designating these units reflects EPA’s commitment to assessing risks and
vulnerabilities in order to protect critical infrastructure—and the American
people—from disaster. A high hazard potential rating is not related to the
stability of those impoundments but to the potential for harm should the
impoundment fail.
“The presence of liquid coal ash impoundments near our
homes, schools and business could pose a serious risk to life and property in
the event of an impoundment rupture” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “By
compiling a list of these facilities, EPA will be better able to identify and
reduce potential risks by working with states and local emergency
responders.”
Following the failure of an impoundment at the TVA facility in
Kingston, Tennessee, in December 2008, EPA has been
gathering information on coal combustion residual impoundments from electrical
utilities nation wide and conducting on-site evaluations to determine the
impoundments’ vulnerabilities. Working closely with other federal agencies and
the states, EPA will review the information gathered from this investigation and
will require appropriate action at any facility that is found to pose a risk.
The results and analysis of this investigation will be compiled in a report and
made available to the public and will help strengthen our ability to protect the
American people, which is our foremost and urgent priority.
The list of
units was compiled from information submitted to EPA by the electric utilities
in response to EPA’s March 9, 2009 information request. The 44 units will
receive high priority attention as EPA continues its assessment of impoundment
safety.
As announced by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, on March 9,
2009, EPA has committed to proposing regulation on the management of coal
combustion wastes by December 31, 2009.
More information on the list of
the units and other information on EPA’s efforts in this area:
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/ccrs-fs/index.htm